Preamplifiers

PRIMALUNA EVO 100 Phono

PRIMALUNA EVO 100 Phono

There are not enough good phono preamps in this world. In the times of stabilized vinyl sales, the phono stages are a compulsory part of any serious manufacturer’s catalogue, as well as DACs. While to build an excellent DAC requires ...

Recommended resellers

Kohut Audio, Košice, tel. +421 905 642 156

Sound
50%
MOON by SIMAUDIO 891/861

MOON by SIMAUDIO 891/861

Simaudio have reworked their catalogue for this year, and they have done so thoroughly. Although they stick to confusing model numbers for some reasons, their current portfolio is laid in just three tiers, each with a source and an ...

Recommended resellers

CZ: Mareka Audio, Horoměřice, +420 603 259 667

CZ: Avitsmart, Praha, +420 605 836 876

SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802

Sound
94%
BOULDER 812

BOULDER 812

The Boulder 812 is a modern front-end that puts a preamplifier, a DAC, and a headphone amplifier under one hood. Although the brand is synonymous with boulder-like behemoths, the 812 is surprisingly smal. It has a square footprint of ...

Sound
85%
GOLD NOTE P-1000 MKII

GOLD NOTE P-1000 MKII

The golden cases are a sort of revelation, in the age of silver aluminum, titanium grey, and carbon black. Like Armani amongst mass-produced clothing. I like that these Italians are not afraid to show-off their style, although – to ...

Recommended resellers

Audio Ranny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134

Sound
83%
CONSTELLATION AUDIO Pictor/Taurus

CONSTELLATION AUDIO Pictor/Taurus

The funny fact about the Constellation Audio’s Pictor preamplifier and Taurus stereo power amplifier: in the company’s amplifier hierarchy they are a part of Revelation series which is a ‘compact car’ in automotive terminology. The ...

Recommended resellers

No distributor at the time of the review.

Sound
95%
VAN MEDEVOORT CA470

VAN MEDEVOORT CA470

In Van Medevoort’s hierarchy the CA470 was designed to complement the PA472 power amplifier and PA471 monoblocks. Such a combination delivers true high end sound that is difficult to find elsewhere for the same budget.

Recommended resellers

AudioRanny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134

Sound
71%
ROTEL Michi P5/S5

ROTEL Michi P5/S5

The design of the Michi kombo is in a ´Fifty shades of Black´ style and perfectly fits within the contemporary industrial design. The metal and glass elements are precisely matched as if a BMW and Samsung team was behind the creation ...

Recommended resellers

EP Audio, Praha, tel. +420 323 605 088

Jasyko, Brno, +420 541 210 108

Sound
69%
BESPOKE AUDIO passive preamplifier

BESPOKE AUDIO passive preamplifier

This passive preamplifier is unprecedented. The level of customer care that is out into conceiving every single unit is amazing and throws you back in time, when shoes were made by shoemakers rather than chosen from a full shelves in ...

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

Sound
99%
MARK LEVINSON No.526

MARK LEVINSON No.526

I own the excellent Mark Levinson No.326S preamplifier which I reviewed for Audiodrom and which drives my No.432 power amplifier. The No.326S is a well-thought and carefully produced piece of gear that offers a great range of options ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Absolute Audio, Praha, tel. +420 777 739 377

Sound
93%
SIMAUDIO Moon Evolution 740P

SIMAUDIO Moon Evolution 740P

Both the 740P and 870A represent great value components – for the price you pay the sound of this combo is unbeatable. Simaudio offers 10 year warranty with their products which also screams of the confidence in their own products. ...

Recommended resellers

Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802

Sound
93%
MUSIC FIRST AUDIO Baby Reference

MUSIC FIRST AUDIO Baby Reference

With the Baby Reference in an audio set up the power amplifier and speakers become easily a real limitation for the good sound: the Music First’s Baby Reference will not help you balance the system – be prepared that you’ll have to ...

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

Sound
84%
LUXMAN C-700u / M-700u

LUXMAN C-700u / M-700u

To conclude I can only reconfirm that Luxman have made a quantum leap with the new generation models. The difference between its top amplifiers is rather the one in sonic character – the M-900u is closer to the previous Luxman’s class ...

Recommended resellers

HTP s.r.o., tel: +420 606 642 175

PP HiFi Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
78%
VAN MEDEVOORT PSQ/CAQ

VAN MEDEVOORT PSQ/CAQ

The trinity of Van Medevoort's audio devices, the PSQ-PAQs-CAQ combination, will appeal to those that love natural colours and subtle details of Class A, plus - at the same time - to those that need watts to feed hungry speakers. ...

Recommended resellers

AudioRanny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134

Sound
80%
LUXMAN C-900u / M-900u

LUXMAN C-900u / M-900u

After I carefully positioned a pair of loudspeakers I removed my usual pink noise CD and replaced it with music. The room was flooded with Beethoven’s Seventh and my jaw dropped – not only is the new Luxman’s combo a two-generation ...

Recommended resellers

HTP s.r.o., tel: +420 606 642 175

PP HiFi Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
87%
MARK LEVINSON No.326S

MARK LEVINSON No.326S

The virgin purity of a dialogue between a cello and a piano, subtly underlined by the echo of an acoustic guitar, was fascinating through the No. 326S. It was from "to die for" category, when you just hold your breath not to ...

Recommended resellers

Excelia HiFi, Chrudim, tel. +420 724 00 77 44

Absolute Audio, Praha, tel. +420 777 739 377

Sound
81%
ACCUPHASE C-3800

ACCUPHASE C-3800

Nature works with infinite number of colors – hifi & high end components have very limited palettes, however. Fortunately we have already passed the black & white point yet a real orchestra sounds different from what one usually ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
92%
VINCENT KHV-1

VINCENT KHV-1

In price to performance ratio the Vincent KHV-1 preamplifier is the winner. The tubed design lends it sweet sound, no listening fatigue and tons of humanity. The KHV-1 provides ample amount of musical detail, amazing connectivity and ...

Recommended resellers

Hifi studio MeLissa, Brno, tel. +420 777 041 313

Sound
22%
BEL CANTO Pre3

BEL CANTO Pre3

It was as if the recording venue had new air filters installed and an extra dose of oxygen was pumped in during a performance – the sense of vertigo was very strong and I did not want to return back to the ´dusty´sound of everything ...

Recommended resellers

Hanzel Audio, Komárno, tel. +421 905 400 770

Sound
64%
AUDIOMAT Opus 2

AUDIOMAT Opus 2

Philosophically speaking, how it is possible that the Audiomat listeners say that the voice of Frank Sinatra in Nice & Easy is perfectly realistic, undistorted and tonally correct? None of them have ever had a chance to hear ...

Recommended resellers

Interaudio SK, Komárno, tel. +421 905 884 677

Sound
78%
MCINTOSH C2500

MCINTOSH C2500

The C2500 belongs to the cream of the McIntosh's catalogue and consequently it will be a natural choice for the brand's devotees. Unfortunately, as much as I liked its appearance I was dissapointed by its sound.

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

PP HiFi Studio, Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Sound
60%
MCINTOSH C500 C/P/T

MCINTOSH C500 C/P/T

Any McIntosh product can be recognized from a distance. One would not mistaken chromed retro-knobs, gothic lettering, grave black fascias and oversized blue-lit meters for anything else. One single McIntosh looks impressive in a dark ...

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

PP HiFi Studio, Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Sound
56%
CREEK OBH-22

CREEK OBH-22

The Creek OBH-22 was a heart-stopper. When I substitued different preamps with it or when I used it as a front end of integrated amplifiers, it did not do anything that would impair the sound. So actually it did what it was supposed ...

Recommended resellers

High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844

Sound
20%
TC ELECTRONIC Level Pilot

TC ELECTRONIC Level Pilot

With a pair of good active speakers there is no need for the amplifier. Still a volume control center may come in handy. The Level Pilot of Danish TC Electronic - this is the Tannoy consortium of audio brands - does exactly this: ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
12%

PRIMALUNA EVO 100 Phono

There are not enough good phono preamps in this world. In the times of stabilized vinyl sales, the phono stages are a compulsory part of any serious manufacturer’s catalogue, as well as DACs. While to build an excellent DAC requires ...

Recommended resellers

Kohut Audio, Košice, tel. +421 905 642 156

Sound
50%

MOON by SIMAUDIO 891/861

Simaudio have reworked their catalogue for this year, and they have done so thoroughly. Although they stick to confusing model numbers for some reasons, their current portfolio is laid in just three tiers, each with a source and an ...

Recommended resellers

CZ: Mareka Audio, Horoměřice, +420 603 259 667

CZ: Avitsmart, Praha, +420 605 836 876

SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802

Sound
94%

BOULDER 812

The Boulder 812 is a modern front-end that puts a preamplifier, a DAC, and a headphone amplifier under one hood. Although the brand is synonymous with boulder-like behemoths, the 812 is surprisingly smal. It has a square footprint of ...

Sound
85%

GOLD NOTE P-1000 MKII

The golden cases are a sort of revelation, in the age of silver aluminum, titanium grey, and carbon black. Like Armani amongst mass-produced clothing. I like that these Italians are not afraid to show-off their style, although – to ...

Recommended resellers

Audio Ranny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134

Sound
83%

CONSTELLATION AUDIO Pictor/Taurus

The funny fact about the Constellation Audio’s Pictor preamplifier and Taurus stereo power amplifier: in the company’s amplifier hierarchy they are a part of Revelation series which is a ‘compact car’ in automotive terminology. The ...

Recommended resellers

No distributor at the time of the review.

Sound
95%

VAN MEDEVOORT CA470

In Van Medevoort’s hierarchy the CA470 was designed to complement the PA472 power amplifier and PA471 monoblocks. Such a combination delivers true high end sound that is difficult to find elsewhere for the same budget.

Recommended resellers

AudioRanny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134

Sound
71%

ROTEL Michi P5/S5

The design of the Michi kombo is in a ´Fifty shades of Black´ style and perfectly fits within the contemporary industrial design. The metal and glass elements are precisely matched as if a BMW and Samsung team was behind the creation ...

Recommended resellers

EP Audio, Praha, tel. +420 323 605 088

Jasyko, Brno, +420 541 210 108

Sound
69%

BESPOKE AUDIO passive preamplifier

This passive preamplifier is unprecedented. The level of customer care that is out into conceiving every single unit is amazing and throws you back in time, when shoes were made by shoemakers rather than chosen from a full shelves in ...

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

Sound
99%

MARK LEVINSON No.526

I own the excellent Mark Levinson No.326S preamplifier which I reviewed for Audiodrom and which drives my No.432 power amplifier. The No.326S is a well-thought and carefully produced piece of gear that offers a great range of options ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Absolute Audio, Praha, tel. +420 777 739 377

Sound
93%

SIMAUDIO Moon Evolution 740P

Both the 740P and 870A represent great value components – for the price you pay the sound of this combo is unbeatable. Simaudio offers 10 year warranty with their products which also screams of the confidence in their own products. ...

Recommended resellers

Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802

Sound
93%

MUSIC FIRST AUDIO Baby Reference

With the Baby Reference in an audio set up the power amplifier and speakers become easily a real limitation for the good sound: the Music First’s Baby Reference will not help you balance the system – be prepared that you’ll have to ...

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

Sound
84%

LUXMAN C-700u / M-700u

To conclude I can only reconfirm that Luxman have made a quantum leap with the new generation models. The difference between its top amplifiers is rather the one in sonic character – the M-900u is closer to the previous Luxman’s class ...

Recommended resellers

HTP s.r.o., tel: +420 606 642 175

PP HiFi Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
78%

VAN MEDEVOORT PSQ/CAQ

The trinity of Van Medevoort's audio devices, the PSQ-PAQs-CAQ combination, will appeal to those that love natural colours and subtle details of Class A, plus - at the same time - to those that need watts to feed hungry speakers. ...

Recommended resellers

AudioRanny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134

Sound
80%

LUXMAN C-900u / M-900u

After I carefully positioned a pair of loudspeakers I removed my usual pink noise CD and replaced it with music. The room was flooded with Beethoven’s Seventh and my jaw dropped – not only is the new Luxman’s combo a two-generation ...

Recommended resellers

HTP s.r.o., tel: +420 606 642 175

PP HiFi Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
87%

MARK LEVINSON No.326S

The virgin purity of a dialogue between a cello and a piano, subtly underlined by the echo of an acoustic guitar, was fascinating through the No. 326S. It was from "to die for" category, when you just hold your breath not to ...

Recommended resellers

Excelia HiFi, Chrudim, tel. +420 724 00 77 44

Absolute Audio, Praha, tel. +420 777 739 377

Sound
81%

ACCUPHASE C-3800

Nature works with infinite number of colors – hifi & high end components have very limited palettes, however. Fortunately we have already passed the black & white point yet a real orchestra sounds different from what one usually ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
92%

VINCENT KHV-1

In price to performance ratio the Vincent KHV-1 preamplifier is the winner. The tubed design lends it sweet sound, no listening fatigue and tons of humanity. The KHV-1 provides ample amount of musical detail, amazing connectivity and ...

Recommended resellers

Hifi studio MeLissa, Brno, tel. +420 777 041 313

Sound
22%

BEL CANTO Pre3

It was as if the recording venue had new air filters installed and an extra dose of oxygen was pumped in during a performance – the sense of vertigo was very strong and I did not want to return back to the ´dusty´sound of everything ...

Recommended resellers

Hanzel Audio, Komárno, tel. +421 905 400 770

Sound
64%

AUDIOMAT Opus 2

Philosophically speaking, how it is possible that the Audiomat listeners say that the voice of Frank Sinatra in Nice & Easy is perfectly realistic, undistorted and tonally correct? None of them have ever had a chance to hear ...

Recommended resellers

Interaudio SK, Komárno, tel. +421 905 884 677

Sound
78%

MCINTOSH C2500

The C2500 belongs to the cream of the McIntosh's catalogue and consequently it will be a natural choice for the brand's devotees. Unfortunately, as much as I liked its appearance I was dissapointed by its sound.

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

PP HiFi Studio, Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Sound
60%

MCINTOSH C500 C/P/T

Any McIntosh product can be recognized from a distance. One would not mistaken chromed retro-knobs, gothic lettering, grave black fascias and oversized blue-lit meters for anything else. One single McIntosh looks impressive in a dark ...

Recommended resellers

HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894

PP HiFi Studio, Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305

Sound
56%

CREEK OBH-22

The Creek OBH-22 was a heart-stopper. When I substitued different preamps with it or when I used it as a front end of integrated amplifiers, it did not do anything that would impair the sound. So actually it did what it was supposed ...

Recommended resellers

High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844

Sound
20%

TC ELECTRONIC Level Pilot

With a pair of good active speakers there is no need for the amplifier. Still a volume control center may come in handy. The Level Pilot of Danish TC Electronic - this is the Tannoy consortium of audio brands - does exactly this: ...

Recommended resellers

Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078

Sound
12%