D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Momentum Analog preamplifier

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Still-One

I am having a hard time talking myself into considering any pre-amp in that price range. I would prefer to allocate funds to other components. That said I did not think that the Momentums would knock my socks off either.

Jim.......That last sentence is what is better known as a back door.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Bob
I don't disagree. It is almost impossible to isolate a single components impact on a systems sound especially when it is not your own system. I was guess I am just looking for some general comments on the events sound.

I am having a hard time talking myself into considering any pre-amp in that price range. I would prefer to allocate funds to other components. That said I did not think that the Momentums would knock my socks off either.
Jim

I know the feeling -- trying to get the minute details from a component. Hard to do, especially with a built to order pre such as the Dan D & one that is in a handful of dealers let alone clients rigs.

On the other hand, amps will do that; pre's not as significant as you know.

Best

Bob

[jpgr4blu]

The sound produced by the XLFs and D'agostino electronics (amp and pre) was possibly the best I've ever heard ---the other contender being the Lamm signature amp and pre with the Alexandrias in the same room well over a year ago. FWIW, I do not like solid state sound reproduction, with the exception of some Class A.
However, the Dags are simply remarkable, liquid, excellent timbre reproduction without the occasional wiry quality that solid state can bring to massed strings. The nuance of tubes was there (if not quite the full bloom that is the exclusive provence of tubes), with the iron fist in the low end that tubes simply cannot duplicate.
This display causes me to wonder if I should buy Dag amplification and switch back and forth between an all tube system which I now have and a system with tube front end and ss amplification.
In short, the Dagostino electronics are the best solid state I've ever heard and the includes all of the main contenders except Constellation, Technical Brain, and the new Dartzeel monoblocks which I have not yet heard. I can't imagine how the sound I heard could be bettered, but how many times have I said that only to hear something better a few years later.

[NoahG]

Another picture for Jim:

[jdandy]

That is one strange looking preamplifier.

[vintage_tube]

I think Dan hit a home run with the Amp and struck out with bases loaded on the preamp. I first admired him with some beautiful creativity in keeping the amp clean & innovative.

However, regardless how it plays with the amps, the preamp is downright ugly. IMO he spent too much time thinking on it's final outcome instead of applying the traits that created the amps.

Why did he need all those buttons & mini-propellers? Why not some simple 3 font sized or so LED's with a laser or CAD scribed 'bass', 'treble', DAC, etc.

Imagine the ugly preamp with these beauties?



Best

Bob

[wizard]

Inside

[Still-One]

Very clean since he power supply is incorporated into the support below.

Now if he would address the front panel.

Jim

[NoahG]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Very clean since he power supply is incorporated into the support below.

Now if he would address the front panel.

Jim

Maybe you could order one without the tone controls, like the prototype:

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by NoahG

Maybe you could order one without the tone controls, like the prototype:

That does look better. I also like how the prototype has the copper continuing down the sides along the lines of the amps. That photo looks like the power supply was initially in a separate box rather than built into the stand.

Jim