Hey guys, I wish I could believe you guys when you say "it's damn good" or " it IS that good"...etc, etc. I'm sure it is good, but the question is, for ME, how good is it, and how good is it in my system?? You obviously can't answer that for me.
I've been in this hobby long enough to know that a systems success is based mostly on to two important things: system synergy and listening preferences. I have listened to a lot of great equipment that has graced my system (e.g. a BAT VK-51SE) for extended periods, that just didn't cut it for me.
You have the reviews. While helpful for me in flagging interesting equipment to try, I would never buy gear at retail, sound unheard, strictly due to favorable reviews. Again, reviews are very subjective based on reviewers preferences and systems. That's what makes Audiogon such a great site. You can try gear at a fraction of the retail cost. If it doesn't work out, you turn around and resell, hopefully breaking even or at worst, a small loss.
If I buy this preamp, and for some reason I don't like it, I will immediately lose 20% to 40% in order to be able to resell it. I am not liquid like some with disposable incomes, and there are a lot of us who just can't afford to lose $300 to $700 for something that is not quite what we're looking for. Ouch!
That being said, and I will get off my soapbox and say this....I would be happy to pay shipping (both ways if I decide to return), prepay the full amount of the linestage at the time of purchase, and perhaps a small fee (1% or so) to cover restocking and administrative costs (if returned), for the opportunity to audition a piece of equipment in the comfort of my own system, for at least 30 days. If there's any damage or abuse, take it out of the orig. payment. A no loss proposition to either party (maybe easier said then done, I dunno).
BTW, I am going to audition a Modwright 9000ES w/Platinum Sig Truth Mods in my system; luckily there's a friend nearby that has one. If it sounds like its reputation, then a 999ES or even a 3910 are almost inevitable. Right now, I'm in need of a preamp, and I would hate to eliminate the Modwright from consideration because I have no access to it. de Havilland has a 30 day return policy, so guess what I'll be auditioning soon. A Joule 150 is another linestage I'm looking for (pre-owned).
I'm Mark, and I approve this message......yada, yada, yada.
