Facilities- all you could want from a reasonably priced pre

Sovtek 6922 stock tubes are responsible for this pre's initial lack of midrange emotion. Yank them out and replace with Siemens NOS 7308/E188cc and your preamp sings

I was initially a little unimpressed with the thin sounding midrange, which lacked emotion and air. Upon the advice of some audio inmates ( you know who you are ), I replaced original stock Sovteks with some NOS type and although expensive, well worth it!!!

This pre offers a host of facilities which set it apart from most anything in it's used price range class, or new for that matter, this was a big drawing card for me. I was getting a little sick of 2k plus preamps that have no remote, balanced or muting facilities. The Line 1 also offers 180 degree phase shift, remote left and right balance, headphone input, standby operation, etc.

The Line 1 will not incite an emotional "classic tube warmth" riot, it is balanced toward the lean, neutral side, but manages to present the music with all the audiophile jargon intact. I consider the Line 1 to be one of the better and safer used buys out there. A good reliabilty track record, great and well thought out facilities and a musical presentation that is well above average in it's price class.

Thumbs up Sonic!

Similar Products Used:

YBA alpha 2, SimAudio P-3, Audio Research LS-7, LS2B mkII