General Asylum: REVIEW: Plinius CD-LAD Preamplifier (SS) by Aurel

I think all music lovers who tried Plinius SA amplifiers know they are marvels: probably the best around. This new preamp is not only the perfect matching to Plinius great amplifiers but it is also a world-class perfomer in itself.

I wanted to try my best english (sorry, I'm a french audiophile !) to say how satisfied I am with this new product. But it seems useless to me. Let me just say it in a few words: this preamplifier is not only the best one I have ever tried and heard (including some of the most expensive and prestigious preamplifiers on the market) but it is also a real "music-maker", it is a kind of a direct link between your amplifier and the music itself. The CD-LAD is nothing less than pure enchantment: as musical and refined as it should be but still very accurate and dynamic. The "midrange and treble magic" I have experienced with tube preamplifiers is still here (with a better high-frequency response) and the low frequency control I have experienced with professional solid state preamplifiers is better than ever. I have really re-discovered some of my records: eveything is simply better, closer to the live experience, closer to the concert hall
sound. I could find a lot of praising adjectives on this product but the best I can do is to tell you that I can't find any shortcoming, neither on the quality of the sound nor on the quality of the building. Furthermore, the remote control is outstanding and some very usefull functions are implemented (such as a phase switch from absolute to 180 degrees).

Is it the perfect preamplifier? As a music lover I would be tempted to say yes. As a researcher in physics I would answer "it is as close as it can be". Is it expensive enough to be called a "reference preamplifier"? Probably not. Is it good enough? Certainly yes!

You probably wonder how it compares the other Plinius's preamplifier, the M16. Well, so do I! To be honest, I don't know the M16 well enough to answer this question. But after having auditioned it carfully in a shop my feeling is that there is no clear hierarchy. The M16 might be a bit more "analytical" and the CD-LAD a bit "warmer". Both gave me this rare impression of being built and engineered as music instruments.

The CD-LAD has only 3 inputs but who needs more nowadays? It also features one XLR input and one XLR output, extremely usefull to use the unit with a fully balanced power amplifier. It is quite rare at this price point and allows a perfect matching with any high-end system.

I am extremely difficult to satisfy. I am the kind of consumer always finding some defects and imperfections in any kind of product. Many audio gears I have owned dissapointed me. Plinius is the only company I am totally pleased with. Perfect products, perfect consumer service.

REVIEW: Plinius CD-LAD Preamplifier (SS) Review by Aurel at Audio Asylum