Will buy Pre-amp today, help please !!

Get the CAT and enjoy!

Hovland HP-100 by a landslide! Just kiddin'- since that one was not on your list (too bad). I would choose the Bat between those 2. Good luck.

I don't know your situation exactly, but my mentality has always been "if its either this one or that one and you have to decide "now"--neither of them are the one." It is saved me a headache or two if nothing else.

personally, i'm spoiled by remote control for wolume/balance, so the cat wouldn't be on my list. but, if ya really are set on one or the other, then yust buy both, compare 'em both side-by-side at yer leisure, then sell the one that doesn't cut it. as yure buying used, ewe shouldn't have to worry about losing much (if any) money. if ewe decide ewe like some tings about one, & others about the other, keep the best one, & use it as a comparison to newcomers, 'til yure satisfied. i yust went thru this last year; my preamp situation is now under control... ;~)

doug s.

I've owned the 5i but never heard the CAT. The 5i is a great preamp. It was Stereophile Class A, if that means anything to you. Be advised that it only has XLR inputs and outputs. You may need to buy XLR/RCA adapters for it, depending on your system requirments. Overall I was very pleased with the 5i. I only sold it after upgrading to the 30SE. Good luck.