[PaulHilgeman]

I am down to a few choices here.  I have a few requirements though.

1.  Must be fully and completely balanced input to output
2.  Must have some sort of gain, how much is not too much of an issue, but for those ultra dynamic recordings, a bit is nice.
3.  HT Bypass for the wife
4.  Intelligent remote control ability, discreet on off, discreet input selection etc.
5.  World class sound.

Now, I have the welborne labs discreet atenuator, but there are a few things that I dont like about it that are inherent to the design.  It sounds absolutley fantastic however.  It's range is too small, the lowest setting can be too loud for a quiet conversation.  The loudest setting can be too quiet on some recordings.  It lacks 3 and 4 as well.

I dont mind DIY at all (obviously).

The two that are at the top of my list are the Ayre K5-xe, and the TAP.  I have not heard the TAP, but I have heard another autoformer pre, and it was very good, but lacked 3 and 4, and the sound was not quite 5.  The Ayre has all of the above, with lots of gain, but is short on inputs.  I am not sure if 4 will last me forever.  As to 5, it is up there, but it definitely has a color.  Less than most, but not as good as most of the really good passive solutions I have heard.

-Paul

[NealH]

Bel Canto has some interesting preamps, such as the Pre2, that might meet your requirements.  I don't know if they are true discrete circuitry designs or, they use op-amps.  My guess is op-amps since manufacturers of most discrete designed preamps make it a point to point this out in the spec's or literature and, I don't see this info in Bel Canto's literature.  Nevertheless, it's probably a good preamp and they give a 30-day trial.  I don't own one however, I have heard one and I thought the sound was pure, extended and dynamic - no grain or edge.  If you want added warmth then it is probably prudent to look elsewhere.     

http://www.belcantodesign.com/prodmain_preamps.html

[S Clark]

I have heard the new Dodd battery preamp in my living room- it made me absolutely miserable until I could order one .  Fortunately, mine should arrive soon   Since the first run is arriving as we speak, keep and eye out for reviews.  It might be what you are looking for.

[PaulHilgeman]

Can anyone here comment on the setp size of the Bent Audio TAP?  2dB really seems pretty big to me.

Thanks for the tips guys, I will look into them.

-Paul

[anubisgrau]

not sure about HT bypass but for everything else you should consider pass labs X2.5

extremely neutral and detailed and still smooth and musical. you'll have a feeling there is no preamp in the system, except for a gain (switchable between 4 and 14db).

transparency freaks might object its lack of an absolute but really an absolute transparency but i would rather say this is bull**it because you get more body and flow as a compensation for it. in 99% of systems you will not notice it anyway.

used ones at audiogon are 2000-2500USD and they are worth of every penny.

i have one at home trial for more than a week and the only problem is i can't afford it right now.

[PaulHilgeman]

Has anyone here heard the Ayre K5-xe or TAP to compare?

I just wish that the Ayre had one more input, or that the TAP had a smaller step size and 10dB of gain


Thanks,
Paul

[srb]

............or that the TAP had a smaller step size and 10dB of gain

OK, I read the specs on the Bent site, and I see that the TAP-Resistor has 1dB steps, but the TAP-TVC has the 2dB steps.

With my medium sensitivity speakers (90dB), 2dB is too big of a step.  What is the application for the TAP-TVC?  What is the sound difference between Resistor and Transformer controlled?

[PaulHilgeman]

To a previous question about step size.

The step size and the sensitivity of your speakers have nothing to do with eachother.  the 2dB step might be too big for your preference, but it will not be any bigger of a 2dB than it would be on any other system .

I decided to go with the Ayre.  It was a tough choice, but I had it in my system for a few months previously and decided that it was a sure fit, so if I ever get tired of it, it has great resale value, so that is no big worry.

I have had it for about 4 days, and it is just like I remember, absolutely incredible,  it is really nice to have some gain again, needless to say, I have been listening a bit louder. 

I just wish it had more than 4 inputs!!!

Have a great Sunday night guys,
Paul

[dado5]

Here is a balanced DIY design:

http://www.nutshellhifi.com/Raven-MarkII.gif