Hovland-Pre,anyone heard it ?

Yesterday I heard the "First Sound" preamp, the $4k model, and was blown away by the sound (once warmed up). Liquid, present, deep powerful bass, etc. Anyone compared this to Hovland, SF3, CJ, etc?

It's clearly a very fine preamp. I heard it at the Home Entertainment show in NY. You can't go wrong with it, esp. for phono.

I believe Michael Fremer has reviewed this pre-amp in a recent issue of Stereophile, although I cannot remember specifically which month. I remember that he really liked it, but check it out before you buy.

I wrote Hovland directly to find out who my closest dealer is and have not heard back from them at all. Any suggestions?

I'd like to hear it and find a dealer who is selling at less than MSRP

thanks

Tom

Heard it, bought it. Again, with the comparisons being so subjective based on equipment and tastes, you need to get one of these in to kick the tires and twist the knobs. Mike, from the Audio Outlet worked with me and everything was great. The bass: my experience on the Maggie 1.6's driven by VTL MB250's is that it doesn't bring out the deepest bass but the bass that it does bring is amazing in my opinion. That from having drums seeming to be beaten in front of your own eyes. The skins, the resonance, and the roundness and size of the drum defined. While not as holographic as I have had in the past, it is more natural sounding. Piano has always been a big hangup for me and the Hovland is sure satisfying that area for me like I have never heard. Mine is a linestage being fed from a Levinson #39 CD Processor,