What's after Supratek

Thank you Rcprince. I have always used tubes in the past so this foray into solid state is new for me. Your words are very reassuring. I just got a call that the H-Cat is coming tomorrow. I guess that I'll be able to form my own impression soon! By the way, Roger Paul of H-Cat has been a delight to deal with. Bob

I had the VAC Renaissance w/phono. Great amp, especially for the $$$. Smooth and liquid with lots of detail and VAC has top notch customer service. I replaced it with an Aesthetix Janus, however, because I wanted more flexibility in the phono stage. The VAC has fixed gain at 35 (MM) and 60 or 65 (MC), plus load is fixed at 47 (MM) and 470 (MC), whereas the Janus has 6 or so settings that can be changed on the fly (by remote!!). Also, I've found the Janus more open and transparent and a little less "tubey." Or maybe I'm just justifying my purchase? In the end, you can't go wrong. They're both very fine.

Maybe a sot in the dark, but I have heard nothing but silly praie for the VTL 7.5 Ref, which used is still probably a but higher than $5K.. Hmmm, you have a damn nice preamp already...

Rcprince, Thank you for posting your thoughts on the H-Cat. It's refreshing to read other people thoughts on this preamp. I recently listened to one and unfortunately - didn't have the greatest results. Turns out, the unit may have been malfunctioning during the audition.

Why not go up the Supratek chain to a Grange/Cabernet? It meets all your criteria too!