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


Only recently have heard about these pre-amps. Are they as good as they are made out to be? Is the least expensive model as good as say a R0land Synergy? I live in Seattle and have never heard of this pre-amp so any information would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jerry.
dumboatc8da
My experience mirrors that of the poster who suggested that the preamp's sound is just a bit lean. There is also a slight bite in the upper midrange/lower treble that has not ever disappeared, regardless of the fact that I've used different speakers systems, amps, interconnects, speaker cables, power cords and source. It's very good sonically, but the "colors" of the orchestra are not as rich as they should be. By the way, I've used 6922, 7308, 6DJ8 tubes, and the sonic signature is the same. Very low noise floor, but sometimes that happens by thinning out the sound. I recall the bass is not as powerful as, in fact, earlier stages, which can contribute to the impression of "faster" bass, but the mid/upper bass and lower midrange, for example, on a singer are less dimensional than in earlier (pre-2004) upgrades.
One other thing: I was reading an old TAS where Gordin Rankin of Wavelength was interviewed. He made the statement that he decided not to use Holco resistors because they had a slight "edge." This may contribute to that "bite" in the upper midrange I hear when brass is blown hard. Interestingly, that's the ONLY instrument that displays the edge, although the string section seems not quite as dimensional as it should be, too.
MPHNKNS, there are approx 16 model variants available for First Sound preAmps. Only Presence variants use Holco resistors. On the other hand Paramount variants use Vishay S102K resistors for the volume attenuators. On which model/variant have you experienced the lean sound? Which was the tube that gave you best results? (type brand date subtype)
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Direct from Emmanuel:

First Sound U.S. Price List
2005 Model Year

Presence MKII $3900.00
Dual Mono Construction using Copper Plated Steel Chassis
Step Attenuators, Series Type using Holco Resistors
Custom Machined 3/8 inch Black Anodized Aluminum Faceplate
SPS 2.0 External Power Supply
2 chassis unit

Presence Deluxe MKII $4,200.00
Dual Mono Construction using Copper Plated Steel Chassis
Step Attenuators, Ladder Type using Holco Resistors, designated as LTH 92
Custom Machined 3/8 inch Black Anodized Aluminum Faceplate
SPS 2.0 External Power Supply
2 chassis unit

Presence Deluxe 4.0 MKII $6,900.00
As the Presence Deluxe with the addition of:
•DPS 4.0 External Power Supply using 2 SPS 2.0 External Power Supplies
3 chassis unit

Presence Deluxe 4.0 MKII with Paramount upgrade $8,100.00
As the Presence Deluxe MKII with the addition of:
•DPS 4.0 External Power Supply using 2 SPS 2.0 External Power Supplies
•Paramount upgrade
3 chassis unit

Presence Deluxe 4.0 MKII with Paramount Plus upgrade $9,600.00
As the Presence Deluxe MKII with the addition of:
•DPS 4.0 External Power Supply using 2 SPS 2.0 External Power Supplies
•Paramount Plus upgrade
3 chassis unit

Paramount MKII $11,700.00
As the Presence Deluxe MKII with the addition of:
•DPS 4.0 External Power Supply using 2 SPS 2.0 External Power Supplies
•Paramount upgrade
•LTV 92 Step Attenuators, Ladder Type attenuators using Vishay Resistors,
3 chassis unit

Paramount Plus MKII $13,200.00
As the Presence Deluxe MKII with the addition of:
•DPS 4.0 External Power Supply using 2 SPS 2.0 External Power Supplies
•Paramount Plus upgrade
•LTV 92 Step Attenuators, Ladder Type attenuators using Vishay Resistors,
3 chassis unit

Paramount MKII Special Edition $16, 800.00
As the Presence Deluxe MKII with the addition of:
•DPS 4.0 External Power Supply using 2 SPS 2.0 External Power Supplies
•Paramount upgrade
•LTV 92 Step Attenuators, Ladder Type attenuators using Vishay Resistors
•Special Edition upgrade
3 chassis unit

Presence Deluxe MKII Statement with Paramount upgrade $9,900.00
As above with the addition of:
•Paramount upgrade
4 chassis unit

Presence Deluxe MKII Statement with Paramount Plus upgrade $11,400.00
As the Presence Deluxe MKII Statement with the addition of:
Paramount Plus upgrade
4 chassis unit

Paramount MKII Statement $23,400.00
Two Paramount MKII units used separately for left and right channels
6 chassis unit

Paramount Plus MKII Statement $26,400.00
Two Paramount Plus MKII units used separately for left and right channels
6 chassis unit

Paramount MKII Special Edition Statement $33,600.00
Two Paramount MKII Special Edition units used separately for left and right channels
6 chassis unit

Options
LTH 92 Ladder Type Attenuator with Holco Resistors $800.00
A pair of ladder attenuators utilizing a total of 92 Holco Resistors.
DPS 4.0 External Power Supply $2,850.00
Uses two SPS2.0 External Power Supplies
Detachable umbilical cords
Completely separate grounding system for left and right channels
LTV 92 Ladder Type Attenuator with Vishay Resistors $3,600.00
A pair of ladder attenuators utilizing a total of 92 Vishay S102K Resistors.
Paramount Upgrade $1,500.00
MIT PPFX Capacitors
Expanded power supply capacitors
Paramount grounding topology
Paramount Plus Upgrade $3,000.00
Cardas Golden Ratio Capacitors
Expanded power supply capacitors
Paramount grounding topology
Special Edition Upgrade $5,400.00
Custom made Copper Capacitors
Detachable umbilical cord Option $600.00
For owners of the SPS 2.0 external power supply who want detachable umbilical cords
Gold Knobs $150.00 each knob
18 K gold plating on the knob. A three step plating process is used to achieve a beautiful gold finish on the
knobs.

NOTE:
All gold finishes are optional
All Contents Subject to Change Without Notice
First Sound, Inc.
833 SW Sunset Blvd. Ste. L57
Renton, WA 98055
425.271.7486 voice
425.277.8653 Fax
lobsang@ix.netcom.com
www.firstsoundaudio.com