Best solid state pre-amp below US $ 10.000,00 ??

Teajay: thanks a lot. I´ve just send an email to them - and got already a reply - very nice. Will follow up on that.

1markr: I´ve just spoken to the german distributor of AA. He told me, that the optional line-stage module in the AA offers the maximum in sonics to be achieved as the complete audio signal of the AA Cap. runs through the internal line stage - to him an external pre-amp would only add colouration to the signal - sounds a bit bizare...

Teajay, AA's response is typical. Don't believe it unless you try it.

Tbg, why would he lie about something so easy to verify? Does he want people to think he is stupid or a liar!?!

Typical audiophile response!?!

Because he is ego invested in his designs. How many instances have you heard where you are told to directly plug into the wall or only use X cables, etc. He can always say, that this is the way he hears it. Certainly you can see in this thread that there is no consensus.

I don't how any of us can say which pre-amp is THE best. I would certainly consider the CTC Blowtorch, however. Possible caveat, however: I'm not sure what the current price is. Good luck Frank