2. amps-preamps
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Hornshoppe "the Truth" preamp - any opinions?

"The Truth" changes the paradigm in Reference Line Stages, literally. Its existence has even forced me to remove a "Direct Connection" in "Class A", because such a choice no longer makes any rational sense to me. In the end, "The Truth" is effectively a "direct connection" with no sonic downsides, and with the ability to drive any amplifier load and/or length of cable, while allowing any source to be heard at its very best. With the exception of extra gain, an audiophile can't ask for more than that. I realize that this may all sound "too good to be true", but it isn't. 

-- Arthur Salvatore  http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Linestages.html

This is high praise indeed, he likes it better than Coincident's Line Stage which is saying something, was wondering if someone else has heard it and compared it to other active line stages (am a big believer in active, though currently using AMR DP-777 DAC as my pre)
essrand
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
This is a very intriguing discussion . I have been liking passives for a few years now . Actually a very inexpensive volume pot from Nanopatch and now from a company called Nobsound . The nobsound NS -o5P retails for around $60 . As grannyring described about the Truth with its lack of noise the Nobsound also has this quality . I will be checking out the TRUTH volume control in the future .

For those not ready to spend $1000 on a unheard technology in their system I highly recommend the Nobsound NS 05p to start with and get a similar sound to start with for only $60 . ,
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
High quality discussion folks, thanks for all the thoughtful comments. 
mac48025's avatar
mac48025
672 posts
 
What I find most impressive about The Truth isn’t how quiet is ( and it’s dead silent) but how transparent it is. With The Truth in my system I was able to fully hear my source and amp for the first time. 

FWIW The Truth isn’t a passive pre amp but a zero gain active pre amp. I’m not sure what the distinction is but Ed explained it once and it made sense.....if only I could remember the explanation!


grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,479 posts
 
That is what I mean about lack of noise.  I am not referring to buzz or hum or other annoying noises, but noise in the music that obscures details and purity. When noise is reduced transparency improves greatly!   
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,479 posts
 
That is what I mean about lack of noise.  I am not referring to buzz or hum or other annoying noises, but noise in the music that obscures details and purity. When noise is reduced transparency improves greatly! 
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