Elite Preamps--Electon Images, Messenger, Tube Res

The Mesenger is an incredible pre-amp but very costly and out of your budget range. It does most things well, and has incredible bass. The soundstage is great, more realistic than the ARC Ref pre's, which to my ear have an almost spuriously large stage. The noise floor wasn't as quiet as some other pre's to my ear. I agree with Albert, the Calypso is very good, and compared to pre-amps costing much more, a great bang for the buck. Within ballpark of your price range is the EMM Labs Switchman, which is also a very good pre and worth a listen. I won't "advice" you any further, eh?

Kevin, First Sound is a highly regarded company that makes only preamps. Try a google search. There are a couple of reviews. Also, look in the archives here and on Audio Asylum. There are three models available. I have the Presence Deluxe MkII. I have only compared it to the VTL 5.5 and the VTL 2.5. I found it considerably more appealing than either of them. I found the review's description of its sonic qualities accurate in my system. It worked very well with my old VTL MB-450s. None of the First Sounds come with a remote. Used, my model is 2,000 to $2,500. I just saw their best model, the Ultimate Paramount, for sale at $5,850. It retails for 15k. Emmanuel Go, the designer/owner of FS, is very easy to reach and recently offered a free upgrade for earlier models. I called him before I bought mine. He was quite helpful diagnosing whether his product would work well with my gear. Like Kevin Hayes at VAC, he is very friendly and more than happy to help.

Mes -- thanks for the update on the Messenger preamp. Thanks too for the EMM Labs heads-up but as it's for 6-channel and that isn't my need at the moment I'll forgoe this and look instead at preamps from Aesthetix Calypso, First Sound Presence Deluxe, Joule LA-150, and the Herron. Your choice from this list?!?

Brooksl -- thanks for the note on First Sound. I've heard many good things about the company and the man behind the company. Just wish there was a remote control for wife acceptace factor! My only concern is the large output impendance of 1700 ohms from the First Sound preamp -- does this pose a problem with the 100K ohm input of your VTL amp?

Kevin, if cost is secondary you really should consider the CTC Blowtorch - nope, I don't sell 'em, 'cause they're sold direct only, built to order - but I have one and wouldn't be without it, it's insanely great. If you're looking for something in a less stratopheric price range feel free to contact me offline and I'll be happy to offer a few suggestions. And if and when you're in the Chicago area, feel free to come by for a listen.

Brian Walsh

Kevin, I did not find it to be an issue. Emmanuel and I discussed the VTLs specs and he was not at all worried about the match.

Brian, wow. I didn't know you had a blowtorch. Are you running the CAT with it?