Opportunity to buy the best Preamp... but which?

while one may have the opportunity to buy the best preamp. the best preamp only exists in one's mind, not in reality.

best is a value judgement, determined by criteria devised by an individual. another individual may devlop a different set of factors. there will always be a disagreement, because priorities differ. it is more relevant to decide what you like rather than so-called quality.

Components are like Ice Cream, everybody likes a different flavor. Even when you get to Vanilla where you don't want anything colored you find out ultimately there are different flavors of Vanilla. I sold the AR Ref. 3 to my neighbor with a reference system and still find it lacks what I am looking for in music which is purity, to my own ears.
I think anybody looking for the perfect pre needs to listen to several and decides what sounds best to them afterwards. We put the AR 3 and Einstein in 3 different systems with high end power cables and top of the line components. 4 out of the 5 people preferred the Einstein in each system. But, I have several friends that own the AR 3 and believe it is the best piece they have ever owned and to their ears it very well could be. I am not saying either piece is better, I think you have to listen to them in your system and see what the synergy is.

That is why some of us never stop buying and connecting new pieces looking for the ultimate in synergy in our system. Also, a G6 is not an 861. In the system that my 861 sits, and this is just because of they gear and the way it is set up in this system, the AR3 was fully exposed as something I would never own for a long period of time.

When I put it in my second system did it really start to shine. But in that system the Einstein shined brighter and the ears that were here and that agreed have been in the business for over 30 years with many credentials and also we had a high end stereo reviewer.

I just hate it when somebody states one piece is the best over something else. It is purely personal taste. The best is what the individual themselves percieve is the best sounding to them. What makes them want to get up and dance, gets their foot tapping, etc. That is what good music is about.

What types of music do you favor Farersre? Cables? Speakers? Placement? Amp(s)? Concert level listening or easy listening? Reviewer...ooops, forget that one, they are like A-- holes, everybody has one !

So the 'best' does not exist? I have a challenge for you then.

I can easily point out an area where preamp performances differ- and where listening preferences will favor the preamp that measures better: the ability to drive interconnect cables.

I think it is fairly well agreed that interconnect cables affect the sound. But what if you could create a way to eliminate the interaction that the cable has in the system in such a way that the cable would perform even better (this also means that you could use a cheaper cable, BTW)? Now add the ability to drive long distances, such that you can place the front end of the system where you want it, and yet place your monoblocks as close to your speakers so as to keep the speaker cable length down, and you get the idea.

The system for doing all that was created nearly 60 years ago. It was introduced to high end audio about 1989. Most high end preamp manufacturers have not grasped what it is about, and so there is a lot of variance in this area. This is the ability to drive low impedance balanced lines.

Since the high end has had such a problem understanding what the benefits of balanced lines are, the result has been a fair amount of mediocrity, price no object.

So- in the face of that, is the 'best' something that does not exist (and thus denying the meaning of the word)? Or is it simply the case that not everyone has heard everything, and that combined with so much mediocrity has caused none to stand out??

06-28-07: Atmasphere
So the 'best' does not exist?

Well I think 'the best' does exist in many different forms. What is 'the best' to one may not be 'the best' to another. So I would say there is no 'absolute best', that is one that everyone WILL agree on, but there are many preamps out there that some will SAY is the best. Synergy, room interactions, and musical preferences probably have a lot to do with the reason why there is no one absolute best.

Same way with most things in life, different tastes in people, cars, vacation spots, or even ice cream flavors. There is no absolute best on any of these items, why should preamps be any different?

John