I have not heard the Tube Research Labs preamp in many years, but I have had extensive listening sessions with both the Aesthetix Callisto and the Messenger preamp. In my very strong opinion, the Messenger is by far the finest preamp being made today. As good as the Callisto is, the Messenger makes it sound very tired and small. The Messenger has the biggest soundstage of any preamp that I have ever heard and the tonality is right on. It is extraodinarily dynamic and fast but retains a harmonic retrival and richness that no other premap that I have heard can match.
If you have any way to listen to a Messenger, I would definitely go out of my way to do so. Good luck.
Nicky
If you have any way to listen to a Messenger, I would definitely go out of my way to do so. Good luck.
Nicky