Forgot to add, more eye-candy close-ups of the Audiovalve Eklipse on the Korean online store below.
http://www.sorishop.com/goods/209/items/g_9736.html
http://www.sorishop.com/goods/209/items/g_9736.html
Help - Need Preamp under 5K for Class D amps
Forgot to add, more eye-candy close-ups of the Audiovalve Eklipse on the Korean online store below. http://www.sorishop.com/goods/209/items/g_9736.html |
The reason TRL's Dude is only $3500 is because they are a small company and they don't play games with the paid reviewers. They don't have a fancy wedsite and Paul is simply a great circuit designer. There are other folks like me on this site and AA that can confirm how good his stuff is. Sure, you can spend more money on a foreign piece that will be hard to service if needed and not sound as good. The Dude is simply in a different league and will end one's desire to trade up or around. No, it is not eye candy nor a brand that you can boast on. If remote and looks are needed, then the Dude is not your man. If you want beautiful music beyond what you thought was possible, then the Dude is the one for you. Have fun. I am sure the other preamps mentioned will sound very good. I am sure you will enjoy one of them greatly. I have to. But the Dude and the 225 amp from TRL are really a breakthrough in home audio. |
One other idea for you. I think another good choice, for the money and to accomplish what you want when mated with your Nuforce amps, is the Cary SL98 tubed preamp. Having owned this I know it will give you the meaty mid bloom you desire. Very nice preamp for the money. The AH 2.1 is also a wonderful choice, but is more neutral sounding then the Cary. My long time favorite preamp. The Conrad Johnson LS 16 is also so meaty and full through the mids and would also fit the bill nicely. I owned this one also. The Dude has all of attributes mentioned above, but offers so much more in term of bringing live, bold and powerful sounding music home. Bill |