Apt-Holman pre-amp

The APT Holman, developed by Tomlinson Holman, the TH in THX, was a well designed piece of equipment that did a lot of things better than average, but never really excelled at any one thing. It was a very good utilitarian piece of audio equipment, but it is now sadly outdated. It would make a very nice preamp in a second system, but it is not anywhere near the reference quality equipment available today. It is a very good deal for a couple hundred bucks if it's in good shape. By the way, I owned one for almost 20 years, having sold it only two years ago. The Bryston BP25 which replaced it, admitedly at three times the APT's original cost, is far superior at resolving and playing music.

I also owned the Apt pre for over 20 yrs. I would agree with Madisonears that is was a very good piece of "utilitarian" audio equipment. Sound spectrum was very neutral from top to bottom and it had the dreaded "tone controls" that allowed correction of speaker/room deficiencies. Imaging and resolution were never it's strong points. For a tube preamp, try the Anthem Pre1L--new ones on sale by www.upscaleaudio.com for $579.

I have enjoyed all of the excellent feedback on the apt pre amp. I can agree with the utilitatian qualities of the apt and must also agree with the fact that it is obviously been outgunned by technology. I still think it is not a bad piece for $225.00 or so.

Still hard to beat for accuracy and neutrality. Phono stage still among the best. Tracking excellent. Distortion at limits of detectability, even after 35 years in service driving everything from Citation II to Macs to Parasound and many others that we have A-B'd in friends' homes.
Soundstage is excellent - the folks above who couldn't find the sound image must have been using the "expand" mode - 12:00 is stereo, 5:00 eliminates center channel, 7:00 is mono. That "Mode" knob is a great tool to "help" lousy recording engineering.
Superb shielding, one of the best at avoiding microphonics. Tone controls have defeat switch if you don't want them.
Doesn't have the "solid state" sound- it's a nice compliment to tube amps (auto mute on turn-on waits for your tubes to get going, too).
Pots and Mute button get noisy after time.

It was a great design in its day.  I had one, I bought it used when i was 16.  It was my first preamp and not a bad introduction to separates.  Then I replaced it  with a P.S. Audio 6.2 preamp which was a great preamp, and the first component I regretted selling.  I replaced it with a McIntosh C15 which was good , but I think I liked that PS better.  Don't get me wrong, the Apt was good but finding a nice one can be tough, and people ask too much for them in my opinion.  In hindsight I wish I still had the Holman because it is unique and super flexible.  I had the Apt 1 amp which I thought was pretty good also.  Another piece I wish I had kept.

Ironically the Apt had a very good phono stage, fairly adjustable.... so if you were looking for a classic pre with a good phono it might not be a bad choice.