Artemis Labs LA-1: Anybody ever audition it?

When I "review" a product I buy it with my own money. I do not do industry loans and I receive no accommodation pricing. That way I am a consumer, like you, and it keeps influences and motives out of reach.

That said, the LA-1 has an energy to it that makes the music bound with energy that more approximates live. It has clarity and emotion. It is a fast preamp. It sure keeps my foot tapping. If you are looking for the usual tube attributes, this preamp might not be for you. I have just purchased a digital processor/preamp and it sounds so slow and polite as just a pure preamp compared to the LA-1. You wouldn't think that would be the case with a digital processor/preamp.

Good luck.

John Mazur

I heard the Artemis Labs LA-1 preamp at an audio show (I know not the best conditions) where they had it paired with Nuforce monoblock amps and Harbeth HL-5 speakers. They used a high end turntable with the Artemis Phono preamp and a couple nice digital sources. I thought it was the best I ever heard the Nuforce amps and that is counting several systems including my own with many different high end tube preamps. This is a seriously good sounding preamp and if I go back to using one it would be on my short list.

I recommend getting to hear one if you have the chance. I believe the tubes are designed to have a very extended lifetime before needing replacement. Good luck in your search.

I'd like to see it compared to the Modwright and Calypso.

go and buy it.. i comparison with the Ayre K-1 Preamp and the atremis lab it was better it had more warm sound the only problem it is not remote