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I use a Hovland HP-100 becuase nothing else sounds even half as good. I previously had a Theta Casablanca II which actually cost more than twice as much and wasnt even half a s good. Multi-chanel audio is a load of crap anyway, listen to a dvdd moovie in two-channel stereo on a scene where there are two humans beings recorded live while acting, that's the only way to put the actors in your room, quadraphonic failed, and so will multi-channel SACD and DVD-A. You have two ears, all you need is two speakers—it's simply the way your brain processes spatial information, and you cant beat it.

Two channel is the only way to go for SACD!

DSP Processing makes my two-channel library much better sounding, plus Dolby Digitql is pretty much the current de facto standard for music DVDs. Also makes implementation of newer multichannel formats possible

I adore my CJ PV11.

Passive preamp: High performance and best cost/performance.

A much more cost effective, realistic approach is to use a quality integrated amp.

TAG McLaren AV32R. Fantastic, awesome, brilliant, the best! No bull.

It's an Arcam Alpha10 c/w DAVE module,so it's not quite full-featured but not minimalist either. It's great with movies and even better with music.

The best preamp is no preamp.

I like short signal paths.

How about listing a passive volume controller with stepped Vishay resistors like the Placette? That's what I use and it beats anything in your choice menu.

Audible Illusions 3A. No remote: dual volume pots and a minimalist aproach to sound clarity. The biggest effect on a transparant system. (MartinLogan Monolith III, Carver 760 and 500-X Bi-Amp, with Vaf DC-X )

At the present time I am living with an intigrated amp. It's an old anthem model 1 tube pre-amp section, and tube output. it's compact,simple and performs quite well with the components it is paired with. I may grow into seperates one day, but for now, one box will do just fine.

Passive - Creek OBH-12 Transparent, uncoloured

A noiseless ML380 is a wonderfull remote controlled chief. Missings? A very good phono at a reasonable price

DIY is my bag. For years I lusted after gear that I could no way afford. Then I ran into an electronics tech who was intrigued by the modifications manual (Tu-Be or not Tu-Be) I showed him. We started building stuff together and I started learning. I now build my own preamps and they have always come off well in shoot-outs with some of the best and/or priciest on today's market. DIY forever!

God Bless the 5751 and the 6SN7.

I'm only using an analog preamp because that is what I could afford a few years ago. It will turn into a digital multi-channel unit shortly. Mainly because the family wants movies and I want music and two primo setups is out of the budget. I also really like EQ in the chain. Audiophiles throw around the word "pure" like addicts, but in the real world room, speakers, and amps aren't perfectly matched to everyone's tastes.

I use a Wadia 861 into a BAT VK50SE. The cables are Nordost Quattro Fil. The results are pure magic.

I use an all tube preamp, the VTL 2.5, complete with phono section. It does good things for my phono signal and mates nicely with my solid state McCormack amp.

David Hafler DH110 for the good phono stage and dual tape switching.

I use a CAT Ultimate. I miss the remote of my old ML 380s, but I just fell hard for that CAT.

Sorry, no preamp. I use the Bryston B-60 integrated amplifier.

Pasive Preamp, using Shallco attenuator, with six input selection. No coloration to speak of, other than interconnects.

Affordable and highly accurate. Nothing against the others.

I will NEED to add a preamp to my system in order to expand with other sources at some point...

Passive preamp

Sounds great, less filling, oh , I mean less steril!!

I use a Creek OBH-12 with active speakers.

I was too young to experience Quadraphonics, but why in the world would you need a center channel with a good stereo?