Mapletree Audio versus Decware preamps

I've been going back and forth on which of these to get. I've owned some top tube preamps from Joule, CAT, ARC, and Lamm, and they were all wonderful. Would really like to see if a simple, well engineered, and inexpensive design can be just as satisfying. It helps that I have one source and don't need remote, a lot of switching facilities, and no longer need audio jewelry. I get the sense that no one person has actually heard or own both of these. I guess one advatage of the Decware is that it is also a SOTA headphone amp.

Ah, the trouble with fishing in a small pond. I have the same problem from time-to-time because the gear I own, or am interested in, is not widely distributed.

I have heard neither. I have read nothing but positives about both. There is another current thread on this forum about Decware that might provide some additional information. Decware products also come with a 30 day money back guarantee. I don't know if Mapletree has a similar guarantee.

One thing (of many) I like abuot Mapletree is custom gain for each input. This way you can match your gear to play at half volume knob travel - some say the best place.

Decware has that same facility, giving you a gain range from 0v to 36v - Something that should be built into any preamp IMHO, interesting these two guys do it in their <$1000 preamps.

Rockadanny,

If I am not mistaken, you have owned the Mapletree pre for sometime now. That says something right there...