Some pics of what I'm using and not using right now.

Let's be honest, I am not going to splash €3k on a pre amp, which may only be a tiny bit better than what I have now.

Nobody has, but it is a bit of a moot point, as I am far too sensible for that.

The problem is, that when I retire, I will need to starts again with the speaker/room interface.
I am a few years off that yet though, but there is no point going mental now.

It was me that was considering the Benchmark as there is one going s/h on AoS but even though I will put SQ above looks any day some products are so ugly that I know it would irritate me and the Benchmark is one. I hate the proportions, the nasty blue screen and the  Benchmark logo in that frivolous font going right across the fascia:



Okay it does look a bit better proportion-wise if you fit the optional rack mount ears but I still couldn't live with the rest of its hideousness.

The styling of Benchmark was the main thing that put me off their power amp too. Now if it looked like the lab equipment it actually is - off white with red LED display and 'Benchmark' written in sensible, sober font on top left of the fascia where it's supposed to be  - then I would not hesitate to buy.

Vivid Giya - that's another one I would not have if someone left a pair by the kerb. Don't care if they are the best speaker ever, I could not look at them for two minutes.

I hate those two ugly sockets on the front too. At least put a cap over that DIN output (or whatever it is). And the volume knob is in the wrong place.

I mean talk about designed by a blind man. If it was seventy quid from Ali Express you might just forgive it. But for £3.5K?

That happened to me once, thought I was wrong, not until two weeks later did I find out I wasn't.  

MisterC has a nice pre-amp for sale on here.  

That's true but otherwise it's identical so I still has a problem with the proportions, the screen, the logo and the volume dial.

Plus I don't like menu operation, I want a switch or a button for all functions and inputs. That's the one thing that put me off going for the Topping pre as otherwise it ticks the boxes.

remote is no use as I only use CD so I am up at the system putting the CD in and like to set everything there and then before I go and sit down to listen. Plus with a remote there is the temptation to ride the volume on dynamic recordings and that's another irritation. I like to set and forget.

You don't. I don't see any need for a pre-amp to have a screen at all, we did fine for fifty odd years without them.

Select an input, set the volume and you're done. What's the screen for? Like you say just another thing to go wrong.

This is what a proper pre-amp should look like:



Fist of all it's the correct colour.

You've got tone controls with defeat and selectable frequency ranges. High and low pass filters, mute, loudness, mono switches, source selector, volume control.

Okay so these days you probably don't need the tape monitor controls, especially not for two of them, but they're there if you do fall over, hit your head, and wake up and decide that tape is a good idea.

Everything labelled in clear legends with white on black so easy to see.


No styling cues, no silly logo, nothing remotely effete about it. It's not ugly, and it's not trying to be pretty either.

Of course that is from 1979, the last year that the world was sane, so that's probably something to do with it. I really wonder how many people, even youngsters, would prefer that look to the modern stuff with it's poncey styling and awful blue screens? Would like to hope there is a lot of them.

Yeah they were the Kanta No.2, which I'm sure would be a great upgrade for me, maybe not you. The bloke did say to call in at the shop for a proper demo, but at £7k that wasn't going to happen. I'd have a secondhand pair though. Oh yes, some day they will be mine...

The Sopra No.2 retail about £14k, that's a much as I've spent on a car. And like the car, they wouldn't be right for my living room.

Looking forward to next month at North Staffordshire Hotel, where we'll hear some 'real world' speakers and subs.

Try keeping me away   Last time I went was with Mrs. Pony, who got bored rather quickly. But this time I'll be rocking up with Macca, who lives very close to the venue, so will have more time.

I've never heard any Martin Logans, but only ever hear good things about them.

BT2- nice - Looks quality Macca, bet it dont half sound it too 

I'm only on the second song but, as anticipated, clarity is in a different league to the old Philips pre.

Orange power LED too

Orange is best for SQ too. There is ASR 'study' on it somewhere...