Coffman Labs G1 - Sounds Like a Winner

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has had the opportunity to hear the new Coffman Labs G1 preamp? I picked up the first blip on Tone Publication's new issue, so I called Echo Audio in Portland right away. It's listed as a do-everything, old school, tube preamp that has a killer built in headphone amp and best of all a fantastic phono section. Tone was pretty tight lipped (No.46 page 129) but the person I talked to at Echo said it's going to be demoed at the grand opening of the new store next Wednesday. Kurt was unavailable. I was really hoping to get my hands on it for a demo. It's price is slightly out of my comfort zone ($5K) but if I can get down to one box that does three functions - it's actually not bad. I am most interested in the phono stage. Tone stated, Coffman Labs is only building 500 units. Must have moon rocks in it. Next to the moon rocks is a pair of 12AX7's and a pair of 12AU7's for the phono stage and 5687's for the output. Works for me, I have a pretty good stash for the Modwright. There is supposed to be a review posted shortly but I can’t take anyone’s word for it at that price; I need to hear it and I need to hear it on my system. The more input the better however.

Enter the Agon forum.

I have always received good info from you guys, so I thought I would throw it out there and see who has an opinion. I am really interested in the phono stage mated with the pre. I am still running my trusty Modwright SWL 9.0 SE which I will keep forever, but I am not opposed to retiring it to the man cave. This thing just looks cool to me ... man, the last time I got this excited I ended up with the Modwright and ate top romen for three months. I might not be seeing micro brews or meat for a year.

But then again, Kurt has never steered me wrong.