Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Don Allen Linestage Tube Preamplifier Preamplifier (Tube) by dcurtis53

Model:	Linestage Tube Preamplifier
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$750
Description:	Minimalistic tube preamp with four inputs and one output
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by dcurtis53 on December 03, 2008 at 12:00:46
IP Address: 64.170.240.130 Add Your Review
for the Linestage Tube Preamplifier

After hooking up a Hovland hp-100 and doing a direct comparison to the Don Allen Linestage I felt compelled to write about my impressions. I have come away with the opinion that the Don Allen is a better sounding preamplifier in pretty much all areas. My wife who rarely makes a comment at all was compelled to comment on how much better the detail was from the Allen than the Hovland and it is so quiet. The Hovland is broken in and the Don Allen is not even close to being broken in. I am amazed at how good the Don Allen linestage sounds with the Don Allen KT-88 S.E.T. amplifier. I have owned the Einstein preamp along with the Einstein Light In The Dark amplifier and was no more impressed with them than I am with this combination. It has taken me years of trial and error and a tremendous amount of cold hard cash and through blind luck I have come across what I and am sure others too feel are possibly the best bargains in high end audio. The Don Allen preamp is $750 and the Hovland was $6495 in 1999, proof to me that cost does not always make a piece sound better. I believe that my search might finally be over! The Don Allen KT-88 Amplifier is equally as good and carries a price of $1750, only the Yamamoto A08-s, which I also own is in the same arena as far as bang for the buck goes. I also might add that I prefer the Don Allen amplifier to the Yamamoto.

Product Weakness:	No Remote
Product Strengths:	A very musical preamp with great imaging and detail.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Don Allen KT-88 S.E.T.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Don Allen Linestage
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Modified Marantz
Speakers: Cardersound Madisons
Cables/Interconnects: Don Allen interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Country, Light Rock, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 21 x 11 x 11
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): BPT-3.5
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Don Allen KT-88 S.E.T.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Don Allen Linestage
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Modified Marantz
Speakers:	Cardersound Madisons
Cables/Interconnects:	Don Allen interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Country, Light Rock, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	21 x 11 x 11
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	BPT-3.5
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner