Stereoknight owners or defectors

None?

I used the silver version of the StereoKnight for about 9 months until I heard the SMC VRE-1. Much more 3D and dynamics and since then never going back.

(dealer disclaimer)

Thanks for the response. I notice this is not a fully balanced design, i also notice the significant change in price!

I'm a new user of the Stereoknight B&R which is being used in between a Slim Devices Transporter and TRL Samson monoblocks. I'm loving it so far. The one thing I'm noticing that I get from the Stereoknight which I have never gotten from any active pre that I've owned is low volume SQ. I can still hear all the details and musical qualities that I enjoy at normal listening levels.

You are correct, the price difference was significant but worth it IMHO.

Sksos1, i don't doubt your senses, but it is not a fair compairson looking at the asked price. If it was double, it had been much. For that price of the SMC VRE-1, i had personally been looking at a better cdp or dac with an analog preamp section (i think). I am really looking for a pre only for the source, possible one more input and the rest is just not needed for me. However, i find it difficult finding such a unit. Mostly i have read that the passives seems to offer a fine degree of resolving power, perhaps lacking in slam, weight and ultimate dynamics. Kind of what i do not wish to trade off either.
I had rather put an extra 1-2K if i had that money, to update my speakers to a Masterstack set:-D