I’m not sure you can really compare the Zpre to your JAS Audio tube pre amp at a tenth of the cost. Although I am happy with it, and sounds good with my Belles and Vandy’s, it’s still an under $500 pre, but did solve my AV pre issue with little cash out of pocket. That said, it probably punches above its weight.
I agree though, I’m also pretty convinced the internals are the same as the Classic 200 without the DAC or phono stage at half the price.
And again, I’m running it with the ifi Mini Tube 2 between the ZPre and the Belles. I did run it straight to the Belles to check out, but dang it, that little ifi is a magical little tube buffer, (not to be confused with the majority of the junk on the market), and cost me as much as the Zpre. Back in it went. So together, about a $700 ‘package’. But, that’s what I would have spent (min.) on a few vintage/older tube pre’s I was looking at, without the AV pass-through. The thought of balancing an old pre and my AV receiver via the one of the RCA line stages, and fussing around with that every time I wanted to switch between 2 channel and HT was not something that thrilled me. The Zpre can become a pass though by not being on, or a simple press of the remote. And I have to admit, the tone controls are nice to have as well, and help balance for my room, as the treble can get hidden with the bass the Vandy’s and both my subs can create. So, between the Vandy’s on-board tweeter and mid-range controls, and the basic tone controls on the Zpre, having that available adjustment is convenient, and a real plus IMO.
Good idea to get a audition of this little pre. I didn’t, so took a chance. But, and I’m pretty happy with its overall performance. Not ‘tinny’, flat, dull, harsh, or sounds like my music is coming from can (alright, perhaps an exaggeration.....maybe).
I agree though, I’m also pretty convinced the internals are the same as the Classic 200 without the DAC or phono stage at half the price.
And again, I’m running it with the ifi Mini Tube 2 between the ZPre and the Belles. I did run it straight to the Belles to check out, but dang it, that little ifi is a magical little tube buffer, (not to be confused with the majority of the junk on the market), and cost me as much as the Zpre. Back in it went. So together, about a $700 ‘package’. But, that’s what I would have spent (min.) on a few vintage/older tube pre’s I was looking at, without the AV pass-through. The thought of balancing an old pre and my AV receiver via the one of the RCA line stages, and fussing around with that every time I wanted to switch between 2 channel and HT was not something that thrilled me. The Zpre can become a pass though by not being on, or a simple press of the remote. And I have to admit, the tone controls are nice to have as well, and help balance for my room, as the treble can get hidden with the bass the Vandy’s and both my subs can create. So, between the Vandy’s on-board tweeter and mid-range controls, and the basic tone controls on the Zpre, having that available adjustment is convenient, and a real plus IMO.
Good idea to get a audition of this little pre. I didn’t, so took a chance. But, and I’m pretty happy with its overall performance. Not ‘tinny’, flat, dull, harsh, or sounds like my music is coming from can (alright, perhaps an exaggeration.....maybe).