Zeke, don't stop your listening test by just realising that it uses ribbon cables!!!. A lot of Pre-Amp comes and go in my System (Audilab 8000Q, Audio
Alchemy DLC,Musical Fidelity's ,Anthem PRE and even the well respected McCormack
TLC-1) but still the B&K Pro10mc takes resident.
Scott is correct, this pre-Amp is difficult to beat!..Trust me..! (for the money!)., unless your judgement is based on ribbon cables.!

I was in the market to step up from my integrated amp to seperates. Although I am an audiophile, I am also a bit of a cheapskate, in the tellieg mold. I needed a preamp with a phono section, since I still listen to vinyl as much as digital sources. In my shopping I came across the Pro10mc. After research and listening, I purchased a demo with full warranty for under $600. I have been completely satisfied. I run the unit in passive mode, primarily to gain finer control over volume levels. I find the active mode is 99% as good as passive. The unit is quiet, clean and detailed. The build quality is outstanding for the price. I feel I would have to spend far more than two times the price to equal the performance. Please use the following guide to my star rating.
1 garbage
2 mediocre performance and/or value for money
3 Average performance and/or value for money
4 Excellent performance and/or value for money
5 The best their is, cost no objet.

A *lot* of features for the money. It uses several inches of cheap computer-style ribbon cable to connect the rear-panel RCA jacks to the circuit board. Given that this caused audible cross-talk, I stopped my listening test at that point.

I just purchased a demo Pro 10 (549.00) and I have to say that it was the the most important buy for my system in 5 years. The difference between the HK PT2300 Signature Series that the Pro 10 has just replaced is phenomenal (and I have nothing bad to say about the HK either). I was truly stunned at the clarity and detail that this preamp brought out in music that I'd been listening to for years - I was unaware that a preamp could make such a difference! I have B&K's EX4420 Amplifier as well, and together they make an exceptional combination of value and price. I want to stress again the clarity and detail - I honestly doubt you could do better at twice the (full retail) price. I was equally impressed by the build quality and the external power supply was a very nice touch. Highly recommended!

I have owned this preamp since 1992, it has given me almost seven years of faithful service without a problem. Extremely clean with a wonderful phono sectionthat made me start relistening to my LP's and purchase a better turntable after several years of minimal usage. The separate power supply is wonderful and does make a difference. IMHO, one of the best preamps one can get under 2K>

Build quality

None

This is an excellent sounding, quiet pre-amp with wonderful stereo imaging and vocal reproduction. Highs are crystal clear and well defined. Pre-amp is extremely well made with high quality switches and controls. Separate power supply and gold plated inputs help keep noise to an absolute minimum. I've owned it for seven years without a single problem. This is a great entry level audiophile pre-amp for someone who doesn't want to spend a fortune on their system.

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Apt Holman Pre-Amp

sounds, looks good, and is cheap

none so far

flat, rhythmically correct, reasonably noise free. I think the MC section is a bit noisy. I opted for a MM cartridge on my Rega 3. Sound is warm for transistors, not overly sibilant, not hyped in any way, and accurate both rhythmically and dynamically. I have no opinion about bass extension, though; my 8" 2-way B&W's roll off pretty radically around 65hz, but I hate electronic music anyway. 5 out of 5 in price category($300 used).

By the way, mine's the old model with no passive mode, no headphone jack. It seems of higher quality than the "Sonata", but again I'm missing some functionality.

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various

This was my first audiophile preamp and it definitely let me know I had arrived. In passive mode (especially) it offers a clean, open soundstage and very very involving sound, even though dynamics suffer somewhat. The active mode is not quite as good sounding (even though it's more dynamic) but it was still miles ahead of the SAE P-102 it replaced. I didn't do much listening to the phono section so no comment. It is worth every penny of its affordable price. I replaced it with a CJ PV10A whose soundstage couldn't match that of the B&K (in passive mode). I still miss this preamp. No mechanical/ electrical problems at all!4 stars for sound, 5 for value for money.

Sound and built quality

no remote

Bought dealer demo on Ebay for $400. Great buy! Very impressive built quality. Comes with individual factory test sheet. External, heavy, power supply. Runs in Class A. I have it connected via Wireworld Eclipse II to a B&K ST-1400 Series II power amp. Seems to be a step above the power amp in quality. Sounds beautifully musical and neutral. Only drawback is lack of remote, but if you can live with that, you'll have yourself a pre-amp that, by the looks of it, will provide very enjoyable stereo music for years to come.

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Rotel and B&K PT-3