I didn't think that a solid state preamp could replace my Audible Illusions L1 tube preamp but this one did. Don't get me wrong the AI L1 is a very good sounding preamp but the Forte F44 took things up a notch both in transparency and detail. The F44 has also bettered previous solid state preamps like the McCormack RLD-1. The F44 is grain free as well and has got to be a major bargain on the used market. If you see one for sale, don't walk, run and get it. You won't be sorry!

Detailed w/o being bright, great imaging, etc.

Unmoded it is both dark and bright at the sametime due to the older poorer quality Elna caps, and a Wima cap in the feedback loop, also needs soft recovery diodes.

I got this preamp and was rather unimpressed with it. I contacted Jon Soderberg and worked out some mods to it. It is now FAR more open and lucid, has far better imaging, and is quite the mate for my highly moded Stasis 2 amp. If you want a real audio bargain, get this, or if a remote is a none issue, get an F-40 for even less money, and have Jon Soderberg mod it for you. Not inexpensive, but worth it, unless you can afford a Threshold T2... My rating only applies to a moded preamp, the standard preamp would be about a 2/3 in my opinion... Jon's address; www.rsvlonline.net/vintageamp He can be a little slow on e-mail, you may get faster results calling during the evening when he is available.

Similar Products Used:

Heavily moded Minuet in A, Acoustat TNP, AGI, Parasound, Acurus, Rotel, too many to mention.

Lots of Voltage! Only have to tuyrn it up about 1/3 way before ears start to bleed. Nice audiophile looks. Uses motor driven selectors and volume controls. Not seen this but in only high end reference preamps.

Stock Power cable. Other than that, None!

I replaced a Parasound Z-pre with this Forte F-44. Talk about a huge difference. This preamp sounds as good as any high-end preamp on the market. Dont wate your money on some $1500-$2500 preamp when you can get incredible sound from this unit. It is Class A Biased and has balanced inputs and outputs. This preamp is a great deal and will give you a nice soundstage and extreme detail. 5 Stars!

Similar Products Used:

Parasound Z-pre, Audio Research LS-3 (demoed)

Great detail, superb imaging, unsurpassed build quality, Gold plated jacks, balanced inputs, outputs former class B recommended by Stereophile (until they quit making it). Beuatiful machine that is more reaveling and refined than my previous Accurus RL-11. Have to buy a Melos or something to get better sound and would be hard to tell the diff in a living room anyway.

Parent company (Threshold) out of business)

Bought it used for $900 bones and it was well worth it. The soundstage is breathtaking. Piece just melts in to the background. Truly a high-end piece for a bargain price. Too bad Threshold went under

Similar Products Used:

Accurus, Denon, Adcom

Great soundstage, build quality,great match with cj-2300,blows away two channel sound of $3500.00 lexicon DC/1

parent company (threshold) out of buisness.

I realize comparing a dolby digital preamp like the DC/1 to a two channel preamp may not seem fair, but at the price paid new for each,(3x more for the lexicon) that would seem to level the playing field.
Thier is no comparison. I thought I Had a good thing going with the lexicon, but I was wrong.
The lesson here is, as is often the case less is more. Don,t get the wrong Idea about the DC/1, It is an EXCELLENT h/t Pre/pro.
My system: DC/1 DD DTS
Sony DVD
CJ 2300 2 channel amp
cj 5600 5 channel amp
sunfire mkII sub
JM labs electra 915.1 front 815 cobalt rear center altec lansing sides
Forte F-44 for music

Biuld is superior.Soundstage and clarity are incrediable
remote control and the knobs are motorized you normally see that on amps above $5000

Treshold is out of buss.. ops I forgot there back

THIS THE BEST PREAMP I HAVE EVER USED. the sound stage is very detailed and clean bass is tight and man is it smooth. I let a friend borrow it while I was on vaction,because his $4000 proceed blew up and was being fixed.. When I returned he wanted to know if I would sell it(no way),because he could not believe how alive and detailed his system became. If you are in the market for a preamp and come across one of these for a good price,GRAB IT!!!. When they built it they did it right and the sad thing is it still blows away most of the new technology on the market today with a heavy price tag to boot.

Similar Products Used:

coda,arcam,b&k