Tube Preamp Reviews

Analog sources: Rega Planar 25 turntable, Rega RB600 tonearm, Grado Statement Master cartridge; Marantz PMD430 portable cassette recorder.
Digital sources: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player, California Audio Labs CL-20 DVD-V/CD player and Delta 24-bit/96kHz DAC.
Preamplifiers: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista, Blue Circle Galatea, Rogue Audio Magnum Ninety-Nine.
Power amplifiers: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 300, Mesa Baron, VTL MB-450.
Loudspeakers: Joseph Audio RM33si Signature, Meadowlark HotRod Shearwater.
Cables: Interconnect: Acoustic Zen Silver Reference (balanced, single-ended, coaxial). Speaker: Acoustic Zen Hologram. AC: JPS Labs Aluminata, Kaptovator, Kaptovator Power AC Outlet Centers, Synergistic Research Designer's Reference² Master Couplers (with Active Shielding), Acoustic Zen Gargantua.
Accessories: Equi=Tech 2Q Balanced Power Transformer, Monster Cable AVS 2000 Automatic Voltage Stabilizer, PolyCrystal equipment racks and amp stand, Ringmat 330 and Signal Guard II Isolation Stand (turntable), Shakti Stones, PolyCrystal cones, Argent Room Lens, Echo Busters Bass Busters and Absorptive and Diffusive Panels.—Chip Stern