2. amps-preamps
  3. 166397-34411

Bring my own preamp to an amp demo?

I'm going tomorrow to demo a Bryston 4B3. I have a PrimaLuna Evo 300 preamp and Harbeth 30.2 XD speakers. The dealer suggested that I use a similarly priced preamp that he sells, but if I want to hear the amp with my specific preamp and the speakers I own (which he sells, and I bought from him) I need to drop it off when he opens and come back later because he has other appointments booked and needs time to connect my PL preamp, and maybe (I'm guessing) get it warmed up. I'm also going to listen to a BAT VK-56SE, and he suggested I keep an open mind and listen to an Einstein Integrated amp and thinking about selling my PL Evo 300 preamp. He wants me to have an open mind, and said he has a lot of customers that like and bought the Einstein with Harbeths. He also has an Audio Note amp demo for me to listen to as well. He's not a fan of PL, but is happy to work with me.
Bring my preamp or not?
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Showing 4 responses by vinylzone

vinylzone
288 posts
 
They offered to lend me a preamp for a weekend when I picked up the Maggies I purchased there. I haven't taken them it yet as I wanted to wait for the Maggie's to break in.  I'll be talking to John soon about preamps.
vinylzone
288 posts
 
It never hurts to ask.
vinylzone
288 posts
 
Where do you live? Talk to John at audio connection in Verona NJ  I think he carries Bryston.
vinylzone
288 posts
 
Bring your preamp, and your cables, and maybe even your source if possible and if the dealer doesn't carry it.

If you like it, insist on at least a weekend demo with the store demo amp (already broken in).  Offer to have the dealer put a hold on the funds on your credit card,  pretty standard procedure for this sort of thing.

You need to be able to hear it in your room if you're dropping that kind of money.
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