While many audio enthusiasts may be moving toward multichannel audio, there is still a strong market for high-quality two-channel (stereo) electronics among audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts alike. A stereo preamp provides audio switching and signal processing only, without amplification. (A stereo receiver, meanwhile, adds both amplification and AM/FM tuning.) Generally speaking, a stereo preamp won’t have all the bells and whistles found on the latest AV preamp or AV receiver, but these days you can find features like iPod connectivity, built-in DACs, Bluetooth capability, subwoofer outs, home theater pass-through, and (in some rare occasions) even HDMI video support. Check out our review archive below to read about the hottest electronics in the two-channel world.
When a manufacturer considers adding a new product to its lineup, there are essentially three options: replace an older product with a new one; produce a new product line...
The category of preamps has changed a lot in the past decade or so. On the AV side of the equation, there are exciting new frontiers in room correction,...
Here at the end of 2018, we at HomeTheaterReview.com look back at all the products we reviewed this year and pick the best of the bunch, from budget favorites...
Terry London praises this new stereo preamp for its beautiful chassis, great ergonomics, rich organic timbres, and holographic imaging.
Mark Levinson. The brand represents the pinnacle of automotive and home audio luxury. The company's products are meticulously engineered, and new products are not released on a whim. Levinson...
It's that time of year again--when the HomeTheaterReview.com staff looks at all of the products we reviewed this year and picks the best of the best. We've tried to...
Ben Shyman auditions the LS28 line-stage preamplifier from Audio Research Corporation's Foundation Series. This $7,500 preamp utilizes four 6H30 tubes in its analog circuit and features balanced and unbalanced...
In this week's featured review, we explore the HPA-1 from Pass Labs. The HPA-1 is a solid-state analog stereo preamplifier and a headphone amplifier with an MSRP of $3,500.
Founded nearly 20 years ago, Wadia is now part of the McIntosh Group that owns uber-high-end audiophile brands such as McIntosh Labs, Audio Research, and Sonus faber. Digital technology...
'Tis the season for Home Theater Review's annual best-of list, where we select the best products we've reviewed in the past 12 months.
Terry London reviews the MicroZOTL2.0 from Linear Tube Audio. To say he was wowed by this tube-based preamplifier/headphone amplifier combination would be an understatement.
Greg Handy reviews the new RC-1590 stereo preamp and RB-1590 stereo amplifier from Rotel. See how the dynamic duo performs in this week's featured review.
Terry London reviews the Rhumba 1.1 stereo preamp from Backert Lab, which delivers much of the performance of the higher-end Rhythm 1.1 at less than half the cost.
A couple of months ago, I attended the Chicago Audiophile Society meeting that was held at Toska Audio, located in Mount Prospect, IL. At this gathering, Dave Thomson, the...
It's that time of year again--time for the HomeTheaterReview.com staff to pick the products that we feel represent the best of the best from all of our 2015...
Terry London reviews the Reference-2S vacuum-tube preamp from Audio Space, which is based on the company's top-of-the-line Reference-2 that's built around a 300B tube.
Brent Butterworth sits down with the Illusion II digital stereo preamplifier from Krell, which includes five digital inputs and a 24-bit/192-kilohertz ESS Sabre DAC. It also has four stereo...
Terry London explores the Rhythm 1.1 stereo preamplifier from Backert Labs. This tube-based preamp includes a self-biasing circuit and easy-access tube door on the top panel that makes it...
Steven Stone reviews Oppo Digital's HA-1, which combines an excellent headphone amplifier, a stereo preamp, and a digital-to-analog converter into one well-constructed $1,199 package.
Home Theater Review presents its Best of 2014 Awards. We've surveyed all the products reviewed over the past year and selected the ones we think are the most compelling....
