Problem with Stereophile Class A Ratings
Had a chance to listen to the Stereophile Class A rated Aesthetix Calypso preamp and compare it against the Bruce Moore Audio Design Companion III preamp. Though the Calypso sounded good, the Companion III sounded even better. More detail, greater depth to the sound stage and more life-like at a price that is less than the Calypso. I was surprised that a product that was Stereophile Class A was beaten by a product that cost less and wasn't rated. Speaking with the distributor of Bruce Moore products, his thoughts about these ratings should be used as a guide and not an absolute. Anyone else experience the same with a Stereophile rated product? If you happen to be in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, you should stop by and listen to the Bruce Moore product yourself and ask for Bob at www.rbaudio.com. He is very friendly and will not push you into something that you don't need. By the way, I have been trying for days to add this Bruce Moore Companion III to the Audioreview database to no avail. The site says it was added but I couldn't find my review. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.