Spatial Audio Raven Preamp

@donsachs Hi Don. Initially the Raven will be paired with a Pass Labs X350.5 power amp.  At some point I’ll need to downsize the amp but ithe Pass drives and controls my Verity Audio Parsifal Encores very well. The analogue side is a Linn lip-12 with a rebuilt Troika MC cart into an Ayre phono pre.  On the digital side I stream or play files from a MacBook Pro running Audirvāna and Qobuz which feeds a Musetec DA-005 DAC.  CDs are spun with a Meridian 508.24 used as a transport only. While I will likely make additional changes elsewhere in my system I am hoping the Raven preamp will be an end game component.  The Raven will be replacing an Ayre K-1xe preamplifier which is itself very good.  Overall, I would characterize my system as slightly on the warmer side of neutral.  I am wondering if the linlai tubes in the Raven might be a better fit.  Open to suggestions.

Yes I think I would try the Linlai tubes.   Your system is fully balanced, so the Raven should shine there.  Please do post a review when you have put a few hours on it.

@jc4659 I see your phono stage also has xlr output, so you can run a fully balanced system, even with phono into the Raven, which is great.  I would expect it to work well in your system.

Yes, that is how I currently run it.  I'll call David Whitt @ Spatial this week to inform him about the tube change.

After two weekend listening sessions, I now have about 25 hours on the Raven. I can honestly say this is my final preamp. On AudioCircle, sjsfiveo described the preamp as blacker backgrounds, greater detail, quieter and the sense that the music just floating around me." Him, like me, had a Don Sachs preamp before the Raven. I’m in 100% agreement with his review. In fact, the sense of the music floating around was the first thing I noticed when I played it in my system for the first time. I’m also in agreement with Don that the Raven is very transparent. It captures the nuances and subtleties of the music ensuring a lifelike and immersive listening experience. Even though I tell myself on a daily basis to stop spending money on audio gear, I’m 100% happy with my decision to buy the Raven. Now, I wish I had the funds to get the Blackbirds!!