Audiophile's Guide to the Galaxy
The Catalog of All Known High-End Audio Amplifiers

Collected & Compiled by
Audio Federation
The Best and Nothing but the Best
For the Music Lover in All of Us

Our ever-evolving list, in order, of recommended
PRE-AMPLIFIERS
     
 
Burmester Audio
808 MK V $32,000.00 + options
Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs Up to 7 (optional)
Balanced (XLR) inputs Up to 4 (optional)
Single-ended (RCA) outputs Up to 2 (plus 2 tape loops)
Balanced (XLR) outputs Up to 2
Maximum output voltage N/A
Output impedance N/A
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage Optional
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 52 lbs.
Other Class A X-Amp output stage, "silver" internal wiring
011 $17,000.00
Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs 2
Balanced (XLR) inputs 7
Single-ended (RCA) outputs 1 (plus tape loop)
Balanced (XLR) outputs 1
Maximum output voltage Adjustable up to 6 volts
Output impedance N/A
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage Phono stage from 808 MK V included
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 34 lbs.
Other Class A X-Amp output stage
 
 
 

OUR TAKE:

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed 90
Detail 90
Smoothness 90
Clarity 90
Agility 90
Solidity 90
Air 90
Slam 90
Naturalness 85
Enjoyability 90
Microdynamics 90
Macrodynamics 85
Glareless 90
Power 90
Drive 90
Ergonomics 90
Hours spent with preamps: > 2000 Systems heard with preamps: 3 1430
Recommended Amplifiers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Boulder Amplifiers
2010 $33,000.00
Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs No
Balanced (XLR) inputs 6
Single-ended (RCA) outputs No
Balanced (XLR) outputs 2 (plus 2 tape loops)
Maximum output voltage 28 volts RMS
Output impedance 100 ohms
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage No
External power supply Yes
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 60 lbs.
Other  
1012 $15,000.00
Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs No
Balanced (XLR) inputs 3
Single-ended (RCA) outputs No
Balanced (XLR) outputs 1 (plus 1 tape loop)
Maximum output voltage 14 volts RMS
Slew rate N/A
Rise time N/A
Output impedance 100 ohms
Remote control Yes
Phono stage Yes
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) Yes
Weight 45 lbs.
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 1 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 1 TBD
Recommended Amplifiers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile 1012
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Lamm Industries
L2 Reference $13,690.00
Tubed Power supply (voltage regulation and rectification) only
Single-ended (RCA) inputs 4 gold plated
Balanced (XLR) inputs No
Single-ended (RCA) outputs 1 gold plated (plus 1 tape loop)
Balanced (XLR) outputs 1 gold plated
Maximum output voltage 0.75 volts (balanced output)
Output impedance 130 ohms (corrected output impedance)
Rise time 1 microsecond
Slew rate 30 volts per microsecond
Remote control No
Phono stage No
External power supply Yes
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 15.42 lbs. (plus 19 lbs. power supply)
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE:

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed 85
Detail 85
Smoothness 95
Clarity 85
Agility 90
Solidity 90
Air 85
Slam 90
Naturalness 95
Enjoyability 90
Microdynamics 85
Macrodynamics 90
Glareless 95
Power 90
Drive 90
Ergonomics 80
Hours spent with amplifiers: 3 Systems heard with amplifiers: 3 1420
Recommended Amplifiers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile  
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Aesthetix
Callisto Signature Mark II dual supply $14,250.00
Tubed Yes
Single-ended (RCA) inputs N/A
Balanced (XLR) inputs N/A
Single-ended (RCA) outputs N/A
Balanced (XLR) outputs N/A
Maximum output voltage N/A
Output impedance N/A
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control N/A
Phono stage No
External power supply Yes (1 or 2)
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight N/A
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with preamplifiers: 1 Systems heard with preamplifiers: 1 TBD
Recommended Amplifiers: All
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
   
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
EMMLabs
Meitner DCC 2 $9,000.00
? Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs 2
Balanced (XLR) inputs N/A
Single-ended (RCA) outputs N/A
Balanced (XLR) outputs N/A
Maximum output voltage N/A
Output impedance N/A
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage No
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) Yes
Weight N/A
Other Not yet released. Based on the Swtichman mk II.
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 0 TBD
Recommended Speakers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile  
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
FM Acoustics
Resolution Series 266 $53,000.00
Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs No
Balanced (XLR) inputs Yes
Single-ended (RCA) outputs N/A
Balanced (XLR) outputs Yes
Maximum output voltage 55 volts rms
Output impedance N/A
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control No
Phono stage No
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight N/A
Other Pure class A
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 0 TBD
Recommended Amplifiers: All (that handle balanced inputs).
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile  
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Goldmund
Mimesis 22m $34,000.00
(plus $3,500.00 for DAC option)
Tubed Yes
Single-ended (RCA) inputs 7 (plus two tape loops)
Balanced (XLR) inputs No
Single-ended (RCA) outputs 2
Balanced (XLR) outputs 1
Maximum output voltage N/A
Output impedance 50 ohms
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage No
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) Optional
Weight 53 lbs.
Other  
Mimesis 27+ $10,700.00
Tubed No
Single-ended (RCA) inputs Yes
Balanced (XLR) inputs N/A
Single-ended (RCA) outputs Yes plus 2 tape monitors
Balanced (XLR) outputs N/A
Maximum output voltage 1.55 volts nominal, 25 volts maximum
Slew rate > 500 V/us
Rise time 500 ns
Output impedance < 10 ohms (600 ohms corrected output impedance)
Remote control No
Phono stage No
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 22 lbs.
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 0 TBD
Recommended Amplifiers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile  
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Conrad Johnson
ART Series II $15,995.00
Tubed Yes
Single-ended (RCA) inputs N/A
Balanced (XLR) inputs N/A
Single-ended (RCA) outputs N/A
Balanced (XLR) outputs N/A
Maximum output voltage 15 volts rms
Output impedance < 500 ohms
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage No
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 50 lbs.
Other Dual mono chassis
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 2 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 1 TBD
Recommended Amplifiers: All (but note the high impedance).
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile ART
The Absolute Sound Issue #129 / April - May 2001 ART II
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Hovland
HP-100 $4,950.00
($6,000 with 46dB phono stage,
$6,500 with 66dB phono stage)
Tubed Yes
Single-ended (RCA) inputs 8 (plus one tape monitor)
Balanced (XLR) inputs No
Single-ended (RCA) outputs 1
Balanced (XLR) outputs No
Maximum output voltage N/A
Output impedance 2500 ohms
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control No
Phono stage Optional
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 27 lbs.
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed 80
Detail 80
Smoothness 100
Clarity 80
Agility 85
Solidity 85
Air 80
Slam 85
Naturalness 85
Enjoyability 90
Microdynamics 85
Macrodynamics 85
Glareless 85
Power 85
Drive 85
Ergonomics 95
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 7 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 10 1370
Recommended Amplifiers: All (though note the high output impedance).
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Audio Research
Reference 2MKII $10,000.00
Tubed Yes
Single-ended (RCA) inputs 8
Balanced (XLR) inputs 8
Single-ended (RCA) outputs 2 (plus 1 tape monitor)
Balanced (XLR) outputs 1 (tape monitor)
Maximum output voltage 2 volts nominal (100K ohm balanced load), 30 volts maximum
Output impedance 400 ohms balanced, 200 ohms single-ended
Rise time N/A
Slew rate N/A
Remote control Yes
Phono stage No
External power supply No
Integral DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor) No
Weight 44 lbs.
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with pre-amplifiers: 2 Systems heard with pre-amplifiers: 2 TBD
Recommended Amplifiers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile  
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
  Honorable mention: Mark Levinson No. 32 Reference, First Sound Ultimate Paramount Line stage.  

 

*Glossary/Legend
Company Sound* Most company's amplifiers have a sound that is similar to each other. This is what we are referring to as the 'Company Sound'.
Speed This refers to the pre-amplifier's ability to resond immediately to a signal from the preamplifier. The faster the better - the notes are all produced when they are supposed to be, regardless of their frequency in addition to the beginning of the formation of each note proceeds similarly, as dictated by the input signal from the preamplifier.
Detail This refers to both the ability to produce all the notes, even the very quiet ones, as dictated by the input signal, as well how accurate the change in timbre of each note, while the note is playing, is rendered - i.e. the details inside each note.
Smoothness This refers to the ability of the preamplifer to transition from note to note. This combined with speed is often call PRaT (pacing, rhythm, and timing)
Clarity This refers to both the lack of background noise, as well as the ability of the amplifier to stop and start each note on time - i..e to not smear them together (often done in the pursuit of smoothness)
Agility This refers to the ability to play large number of notes simultaneously, for example orchestral scores, while keeping each note as distinct and accurate as it would be if it was all by itself.
Solidity This refers to the imaging and soundstaging abilities of the preamplifier - how well it makes instruments sound solid enough to touch and 'see'.
Air This refers to the quality of the treble rendered by the preamplifier.
Slam This refers to the quality of the bass rendered by the preamplifier.
Naturalness This refers to how 'real' the music sounds. This, combined with 'enjoyability' are often refered to as 'musicality'.
Enjoyability This refers to the very subjective interpretation by a listener of how enjoyable the preamplifier is. We try to score this one not only based on our ears, but how enthusiastic the owners of the preamplifer are about its positive qualities.
Microdynamics This refers to the ability of the preamplifier to accurately render the dynamic envelope of a single note correctly - note that this includes dynamic (loudness) changes that occur inside the note while it is being played.
Macrodynamics This refers to the ability of the preamplifier to accurately render the large scale dynamics of many notes playing at once.
Glareless This refers to the ability of the preamplifier to avoid sounding harsh, brittle, tizzy, bright and all the other negative aspects associated with most solidstate preamplifiers over the last 40 years.
Power This refers to the ease and authority the preamplifer has when rendering notes and music.
Drive This refers to how well the preamplifier can drive a nominally hard to drive amplifier (i.e. compatibility).
Ergonomics This refers to the ease of use and attractiveness of the preamplifier - is it nice on the eyes, is it easy to position and fit in a rack, does it run cool enough to use in the summer in a non-airconditioned house.

Copyright (c) AudioFederation
May 1, 2003