Hornshoppe "the Truth" preamp - any opinions?

Hi Chris,
In regard to the PRE low SPL performance, those stated SPLs seem pretty good to me as peaks of 60db is definitely low level listening levels (and you say the SQ remains good). With 60 db peak this would suggest that the ’average volume would be in the 50s db range. This is a very soft volume level (at least for me).

Good to read that the Truth is working out well for you.
Charles

In my system The Truth did not sound as good as a $350 Schiit Saga. The Saga can be used passive or the tube buffer output can be switched on. Either mode sounded better than the Truth. I also compared with a few other preamps here.

The Saga is simply too inexpensive to be considered a true audiophile product, as are many items sold by Schiit. I have a Freya that's also cursed by its low cost, and I think sounds better than other preamps I've compared it to including those that I own, and when schlepping it to a friends house for a little "shoot-out" we both noted it sounded surprisingly every bit as good as his reference series ARC preamp...not the most scientific comparison, but there ya go. Too inexpensive...I'll buy a Saga when putting together a second system in my vacation house (later this year, still shopping for the house) ...no problemo...or maybe another Freya...

@exdmd I actually ended up returning my truth preamp. After a few weeks of trying different inputs and I went back to my source driving the amps directly and ended up liking it better. In the end, I decided the money was better spent elsewhere. Ed was a great person to work with though. 

Haven't tried any other preamps, although I do look around periodically. I should reach out to the Denver audio community and see if anyone wants to do some gear auditioning so I can see if one would actually improve my system enough to be worth it...

I own The Truth and it is just fantastic. I does take a full week of playing 24/7 to break in and sound its best.  At first it was a tad closed in, overly warm and a little dull sounding. After some 150 hours of play time this unit has just amazed me.  So utterly balanced top to bottom with absolutely no glare or vestige of noise. 

My unit does not have a selector as I only use one input. I cannot stress enough or even overstate how revelatory this piece is. 

I have owned many top end active preamps costing up to $9000 new. I have built some great tube preamps and upgraded/modified quite a few good ones over the years. I have also owned the Placette, Lightspeed and Tortuga passives. These passives showed promise, but always left me wanting as they lacked body or meat on the bones weight. The Truth has all of it and is certainly the best Preamp have heard to date. 

Just be patient with break-in and enjoy.   Ed offers a trial period and the unit costs less than most high end cables :)