Sound quality, build quality and beautiful looking

no detactable powercord

In the process of finding a better pre-amp for my Acoustat Spectra 66 loudspeaker, I planned to buy Audio Research Pre-Amp.But when I was in a high-end electronic shop, the dealer give me an opportunity to compare Audio Research SP-16 and Sunfire Classic Tube Pre-Amp. After compare this two pre-amps side by side, I realized that Sunfire is more transparent,warm and airy than AR SP-16, with the same soundstage quality and the same price range. So I bought the Sunfire Classic Tube Preamp. I use this preamp to replace my very good (but not tube preamp) NAD S100 preamp and connect it to my audio components. My audio components consist of NAD 500 CD Player, NAD 200 Power Amp, Acoustat Spectra 66 Loudspeaker, all Cardas Golden Reference interconnect and power cable. Sound quality of this system is very good, open, clear, with wide and deep soundstage, and also very relaxing (do not make your ear fatigue). This preamp can produce a better quality sound than many expensive preamps in the market. With this price range, I highly recommend this preamp.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research SP 16, ML380s, NAD 100.

This is a serious preamp, especially for the money. My dealer had this on backorder for quite a while, so I was anxious to get my mits on it. Th build quality os superb, it is absolutely gorgeous, and it sounds great... what more do you want!
Obviously, I love it. I'm going to go a bit further though. It's easily one of the best products I've ever purchased. I really can't imagine myself buying a new preamp, even as i upgrade other components. this sounds at least 95% as good as any preamp i've ever heard, at any price.

The best thing about this unit is the way it conveys a HUGE soundstage. It's lush, and draws the listener in with subtle spatial cues brought foward. You are going to hear things you've never noticed before. Bass extension is remarkable at any price, unbelievable at this price. this is a solid, meaty power supply we are talking about.

Buy with confidence. Mt highest marks.

I purchased the Sunfire Preamp after previewing in my home comparably priced Audio Research, Adcom, VTL and Sony preamps. My Sons, who are very much into music, were with me during the evening we had the Sunfire and the other preamps in our home for trial. The results were startling when we hooked up the Sunfire. It was clearly the best that we had heard amongst thr many fine preamps we had auditioned. It was almost as delicate as the Audio Research for bringing out innner detail, but it was clearly superior in its soundstage, dynamics, bass slam and liquid but accurate treble. Since it was less expensive than the AR, the buying decision was made easier. The AR was an excellent preamp, as were the others mentioned, but the Sunfire was superior.

A bit finiky to get to grips with.

I had been waiting about 2 weeks to get my hands on this pre-amp and ordered the optional phono stage. What can I say - sounds amazing.

I had been running my Nottingham analouge through the bryston with an EAR 834P phono stage and though I was happy until I heard the same thing throught the sunfire.

All my records have a richer fuller sound without any loss of detail.

The valve tone controls add a little something, but the purist in me always listens to them swtiched off.

I use this in to the sunfire 300w stereo amp and I am delighted with the overall sound it makes.

I am considering buying the sunfire signature amp now, but other than that nothing.

For the money it is sensational value and gives a really great sound - very natural and smooth.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston pre-amp

An almost high-end unit for a mid-end price.

This unit continues to surprise me. With contour controls, (bass and treble that cut at certian db's), I was expecting a so so unit. Any true audiophile will tell you that a preamp with bass and trebe controls is just bargin electronic store sales but don't be fooled. The preamp has the quality of sound found in much higher priced top-end models. Not that looks should matter, but this baby wreeks of beauty.

Immediacy, great soundstage, good dynamics

a touch of "prettyness" in the upper registers

This is one great preamp (at least the line stage; I have no experience with the phono stage). It has a rich sound, with a wide soundstage. Everything is very clear, finely detailed, yet holistic (e.g., orchestral works just come to you, totally effortless). The current version of this preamp has remote control capability, and a beefier, better power supply. This power supply does away with the only criticism I had before, namely, a certain raggedness at louder volume settings. That's gone now. The preamp also has a mono switch, which I consider indispensible (e.g., for system troubleshooting, but also for listening to mono recordings). You can also experiment with different tubes (the line stage comes with 3 Sovtek 6922s, which are good sounding, but the Siemens are better, more romantic). The build quality is superb, too, what more can you ask for?

Similar Products Used:

Conrad-Johnson ART, Hafler 915

Detail, musically involving. quiet background and eye catching design.

Difficult to change tubes

Interesting design. handsome looking. I used that more than two years with different kinds of tubes (Amperex, Mullard, Tele, Brimar, Sovtek, RCA). Never let me down. Not the best preamp on the world, but it's good one to start.

Similar Products Used:

Dynaco PAS 4, CJ 10L, Fisher X100.

Excellent Bargain, wide, spacious sound, romantic mid range

highs are not as detailed as I would like, The AR LS15 does much better in that area

Excellent Bargin, should cost at least twice its price.There are some minor irritating characteristics but only when compared to preamps twice the price.

Similar Products Used:

Quicksilver Silver 60, ProAc Tablette Speakers, AMC CD player