What can you tell me about First Sound pre-amps?

Artg, Go for the First Sound upgrade. You have some first class gear to go along with one of the "bigger brother" First Sound pre-amps (VAC 110/110 for example). I upgraded my First Sound 4.0 with the Paramount Plus upgrade. Well worth it.

Correction: Artg uses the Berning amp, not the VAC 110--which is used by tvad. I was confused. Even so, I have heard First Sound/Berning combo in my system (twice), and I preferred it WITH the First Sound, but that's just me...

Kalan - I agree 100%. My system sounds better with a high quality preamp. I would be happy to add a FS Paramount back into the chain, but only used (so far none seen).

The Presence Deluxe is gone. I'm also going to try a deHavilland Mercury 2 within the next few weeks, and maybe a CAT and/or Joule ELectra before making a final decision.

I think the BEST pre amp out there bar none is the new superphon Revelation 3....... you can get it with or without gain.......... I think it will smoke anything. I heard one without gain....best preamp out there.

Artg, I would be interested in your impressions of any of the other pre's you mentioned: deHavilland Mercury 2, CAT, or the JE. Please update this thread.