[quote="Kevin PThis is a result of a mismatch on either the source or amp side because the S&B 102s in the context of the right system are nothing but transparent.[/quote]
This is true to some extent. However, unless the source was specifically designed to have extremely low output impedance or in another word very high drive capability, the Bent will not be able to fix that. For example, with very high gain amp such as the Ampzilla2000 (32 db), the bent will be able to put out very decent bass but not the ultimate. With a low volume setting (thank to high gain of the amp), the power transfer ratio between the output of a typical source such as CD player will improved (especially for low frequency). However, the Bent will not be able to make the output impedance of this CD player looks like a 10 ohms output impedance of a good solid state preamp such as the IRD LLC.
There are limitation to a transformer at low frequency. This was one of the reason why very few tube amp has the bass slam of a good solid state amp.
Don't get me wrong, the Bent is the best preamp I have heard to date for overall performance. Most people should be very happy with its performance accross the audio spectrum. However, I am looking for some thing that has the mid and high of the Bent and at least the bass slam of the IRD LLC.
The one preamp that I am looking for does not have every thing either. However, I am confident that can combine it with the Bent to give me the performance I am looking for.
