Opportunity to buy the best Preamp... but which?

11-29-08: Inman29
BAT REX ... but it looks like Andrew started and then abandoned this thread in January, 2007, leaving everyone to respond to the black hole!

Unfortunately, that is more the norm than an aberration.

if there esisted a "best" component in each category, someone would specify the brand name and be able to justify the opinionor so-called knowledge.

the fact that for any component type there are so many suggestions as to what is "best", would seem to indicate that there is no best.

in fact all components are erroenous and they manifest this in different ways. thus, there can be no best amp, preamp, cd player, cable, speaker, power conditioner, etc., as each component has its strengths and weaknesses.

Mrtennis,

Clearly, your beliefs are firmly held. However, your logic is not so secure: the concept of the "best" is relative to other similar items and must obviously be qualified by criteria for evaluation and judgement (for example, frequency extension, imaging, sound stage, bass definition, pitch, timbral accuracy etc). These all being unavoidably qualified by the noted proximity to actual live performances - high fidelity.

Within these parameters (which I believe is where much audiophile discussion takes place), there can obviously be the best of any component, with the issue being one of "best at what"? A distinct issue is finding people that will agree on the criteria and this moves into the question of "taste". However, again, the issue of taste can be resolved if parameters are estabilished by those wishing to exchange and/or expolore their judgements. Again, the actual live performance is the inevitable and ultimate criteria for validating these judgements.

I think

God don't need no stinkin' pre-amp, he's got angels to sing live, well sort'a.