What's your "diminishing returns" preamp choice?

Hi Michael,

Yes, that link sums it up pretty nicely. I've heard both the Backert Labs preamps and agree with the heart of the PFO review. Didn't get to roll any tubes, and IME that implies an even higher ceiling. I like the clever magnetic "pop-top" in the luxury model.

FWIW, Backert is no rookie. He has been doing mods to Conrad Johnson and many other top brands for decades under his other business RHB http://www.rhbsound.com/. Since Bob is a member of our local Philly area audio club (www.paagonline.org), I can say from personal experience that you won't find a more credible, humble and talented guy in the business. Many people I know have raved for years about Bob's ability to improve the sonics of their high end preamps & amps.

I hope to check out their room at Capitol Audio Fest w/Martin Logan. Cheers,
Spencer

I'd love to hear the backert preamps. Bob repaired my joule a while back and was great to work with

+1, Socfan12 and Cerrot.
The Ayre k--5xeMP pulls everything together making the whole a whole lot better than the sum of its parts. An absolute bargain at about $3.5k.
:) J.

I'm with SOCFAN12 here. I bought an Ayre K5XE-MP from a Bethesda Maryland Retailer (who sells their trade-in stuff on A'gon). I have it paired with a Bryston 14BSST, and a logitech transporter (playing mostly FLAC files and Apple lossless).

Vanishingly low levels of noise, absolutely musical. I tried swapping out the K5XE-MP with a KXR-Twenty (that costs twenty thousand) and there was no audible difference (to me). Self-built cables (refuse to pay stupid money for copper wire coated with fairy dust)

The K5Xe-MP is in my system to stay. I also like the fact that the serial number was "penned in" with a "Sharpie" :-)

Not a preamp but if 60w/ch is enough to float the boat the bel canto c5i integrated has it all and would be the last piece 98% of music enthusiasts would ever need IMHO.