Preamp Deal of the Century

Stevem1960 - You touch on a very important point that the "no" preamp crowd would do well to consider. The "no" preamp scenario presupposes several things. That the audiophile has a very good poweramp that he likes, that the source has enough voltage to drive the poweramp, that the source output impedence and poweramp input impedence match well, the poweramp has enough gain, and that the output stage of the source is up to the job. I truly believe that with the right preamp, the interaction between source and preamp and between preamp and poweramp can create a system whose sum is greater than the parts. For me the cortese is that preamp.

Another of the great things about the cortese is that the subtle variations of tone from the instruments really comes out. I am digging my jazz recordings all over again. Sax's don't just breathe more but you get some of the harmonic decay just like in a live performance. And guitar, wow! Buddy Guy, Lee Ritenour, Wes Montgomery, Jeff Golub, all sound kickin. I find myself sometimes playing just favorite parts of recordings so I can soak up the tone.

Dynamic contrasts were missing from any of the several passive pre-amp or cd direct to amp systems I have heard over the years. Dynamic structure and texture along with the jump factor were never present in any of the previous mentioned systems. I certainly want to eliminate any coloration of the circuit whether it appears to be a pass thru or an active line stage. A well implemented gain stage's voltage swing should accurately track the ebbs and tides of a live performance all the while being transparent.
For me this is the most satisfying presentation of the real performance..Emotion....Tom

Steve-Thanks for the thoughts. I guess I'll just have to get one and see for myself. You really have me thinking regarding you comment about the "nuaunce a good valve preamp brings". I do know what you mean, as I have owned several very good tube preamps in the past. I will add that the CDP I am using also uses tubes (Audio Aero MKII - the latest version). It, indeed, does add the "right texture and upper harmonics" as no solid state CDP or DAC ever has.

I still have a few questions.

Can I run balanced, or is this preamp strictly single ended? It seems that the Audio Aero, sometimes, sounds better when I run thru its balanced outputs and sometimes sounds better when run thru its single ended outputs. It seems to be related to the amp that I use, as different amps sound better using the CDP's single ended outputs, and some amps sound better using the CDP's balanced outputs. (It all get's pretty crazy doesn't it)?

Also, can I get a Syrah with a remote control option? Not that I'm lazy, but I'm a firm believer in the ability of being able to make volume changes from my listening chair.

Thanks again! Louis

Any owners in Los Angeles?

Please email me if you would be willing to let a member come by and see this beauty.

How about owners in the southeastern New England area (including Boston)? Am interested in taking the Supratek plunge (system is Accuphase and Avalon based).