Hornshoppe "the Truth" preamp - any opinions?

Bill, thanks  for your careful A/B of my Coincident CSL with your Truth.   A couple of comments for those trying to decide between these two fine choices.  In my system, I am not currently hearing any ground loop issues.   The Coincident is driving my Atma-Sphere M-60 amps via 10 M balanced ICs. Anyone who is looking for a great pre that will drive long ICs would do well to consider the CSL.  I did have a ground loop issues when the Coincident CSL was driving Coincident Frankenstein amps, but engaging the ground lift switches on the amps largely eliminated the issue.  I have a feeling the CSL behaves better using balanced in and balanced out than with single ended. Getting the most out of the CSL is all about the tubes.  The Psvane WE replicas really elevate the performance of this preamp.  It is a completely different beast with these tubes vs the Psvane Hi-Fi or Shuguang tubes.   The volume controls are indeed clunky.  One should expect better for a piece in this price range.  I may send mine back for the upgrade to MK II.   There are times when a finer gradation between steps would be nice.  As far as tube life, I got about 4 years out of my first set of WE's.  I bought my current set from Coincident.  Mr. Blume selects tubes that match the demands of the CSL, which he claims extends the expected lifetime.  

Bill I have to think the Coincident Statement Pre with the Coincident Frank amps would be heaven! I should also add the build quality of the Coincident gear is high.  The point to point wiring is laid out superbly on both the amps and preamp.  Why did I get a ground loop? Goodness who knows.  

The CSL with the Franks can be very good when paired with a very high efficiency speaker.  I really enjoyed them paired with my 94dB efficient Coincident Triumph Extreme II monitors, especially with the Elrog 300B tubes which unfortunately don't hold up to the demands of the Franks.   But honestly, I enjoy the CSL paired with my Atma-Sphere M-60's just as much, maybe more, and 60WPC with low distortion just works better with anything but the most efficient speakers.   The Franks just couldn't drive my 92.5 dB efficient Coincident Super Victory II's.  Too much distortion, and I don't typically listen at high levels. 

Hi Bill,
Thank you for taking the time to post your clear and detailed listening impressions of what are excellent line stages via your home audio system. The stock Truth line stage has received universal praise so I can only imagine how wonderful your upgraded/modified Truth must sound. Bill I bet your system sounds fantastic!

In my very humble opinion I summit that both of these line stages are genuinely world class components that really can compete with any top tier line stages regardless of price. You could place either of these two into audio systems of high pedigree and they would hold there own. When a product is capable of achieving superb purity, tone and dynamics it’s very unlikely for it to embarrassed by any competing component. Certainly one may prefer another line stage but the Truth or the Coincident will not be outclassed.

I was one of the very early (October 2009) buyers of the Coincident Statement Line Stage . Over 10 years later I’m probably even more happy and impressed with its sound quality mated to my 10 year old (September 2009) Frankenstein MK II mono blocks. The latest version of these 2 components are most likely even better. That’s fine but i’m staying put 😊.

To the other Bill (brownsfan) Yep, you must have the proper speaker match, no getting around that fact. The older Coincident Eclipse lne of speakers were an easier load than your current Victory speakers. I’m very familiar Atma-sphere MA1 mono blocks and no doubt the CSL would pair with Atma-sphere amplifiers  in splendid fashion.

Yes, great review @grannyring   

There seems to be quite a few preamps these days with a loyal following. Don Sachs, Supratek, Aric Audio, and The Truth to name a few. I recently got to hear the Don Sachs and it is a superb preamp that was better than my current pre. My friend who owns the DS used to have a TRL Dude which he says is still the best preamp he has ever owned and regrets selling it. He also had an original or first iteration of The Truth. 

Grannyring, I know you used to have the smaller version of the Dude if I recall. The Truth has a great price and I like that it can be upgraded and Ed is always looking to improve things. I think he’s on version 4 I believe? 

Any chance somebody has heard all of these preamps or come close? Or how about at least hearing the early version of The Truth and a current version and how they differ?