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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Stereo Knight Reference Silverstone B&R Preamplifier (SS) by vickgeo@live.com

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REVIEW: Stereo Knight Reference Silverstone B&R Preamplifier (SS)

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Model: Reference Silverstone B&R
Category: Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $1850
Description: Four transformer multi-function TVC
Manufacturer URL: Stereo Knight

Review by vickgeo@live.com on October 05, 2009 at 21:34:32
IP Address: 76.204.16.173
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for the Reference Silverstone B&R


This might be considered a follow-up to my review of the Stereo Knight Enigma tube Preamp, a magnificent unit. It is a "follow-up" because I had the Enigma in my system only because I had ordered the tvc Silverstone B&R from Stereo Knight, and James Zhang did not have one on hand, so he sent the more expensive tube Enigma for me to listen to (and audition)while I waited for the Silverstone B&R.
As you can tell from reading my review of the Enigma, I was deeply impressed by it (even smitten), and it was with genuine regret I returned it to Mr. Zhang when my Silverstone was ready for shipment. I was starting to fall in love. What allowed me to return the Enigma was primarily compounded of budgetary considerations (a $1000 difference), with an admixture of predetermination to incorporate a TVC into my system. My previous research and experience had pretty well convinced me that the sort of precise, neutral, yet dynamic sound I was craving was most likely to be fostered by a TVC "preamp". So back to Stereo Knight went the Enigma, and into my system went the Silverstone B&R.
What followed was not a letdown. As the Silverstone has "burned in", it has revealed its own set of acheivements: ultra clean, very extended, smooth beyond criticism, dynamically unlimited, and a deep, large transparent image. It is more than I had hoped for. In fact, it sounds like the Enigma without the "tube glow"(or, the Enigma is a tubey Silverstone).
When you open the Silverstone, the familial relationsip with the Enigma is obvious: four transformers (actually five,counting the input transformer), and massive slabs of gleaming aluminum. The faceplate is 3/4", top and sides are 1/4", and it is all braced with 1/2" thick aluminum bars, everything beautifully machined. Even the remote is machined from a solid billet of aluminum. The impression of quality,solidity, and carefully executed design is undeniable.
The wiring is solid core square POCC in teflon sleeves, and the remotely controlled volume is via a 33 step attenuator.
The Silverstone B&R replaces the Stereophile class "A" rated Nelson Pass designed Adcom 750 Preamp in my system. That is impressive all by itself perhaps, but even more so because the Stereo Knight preamp is so much better than the Adcom that they seem to belong to different catagories.
As a side note, I am trying a Stereo Knight X-Link IC from my cdp to the Silverstone, and I am very impressed. It is very much smoother,detailed, and faster than the Neotechs I have been using (and now have for sale).


Product Weakness: Does not have mono or channel reverse selection (not essential, but sometimes convenient).
Product Strengths: Beautifully built, very reasonabl price, superb performance. Mega-bang for the buck.It is the best sounding preamp I have ever heard in my system.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: 2 PS Audio Trio A100 biamped
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Stereo Knight Silverstone B&R
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Cambridge 840C CDP
Speakers: Mark & Daniels Diamond+
Cables/Interconnects: Oyaide Tunami, Shunyata, Neotech, Element, Stereo Knight
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, jazz, a little 60's rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: various
Time Period/Length of Audition: two months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): BPT conditioner, 2 Quantum Symphonies
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition




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Topic - REVIEW: Stereo Knight Reference Silverstone B&R Preamplifier (SS) - vickgeo@live.com 21:34:32 10/5/09 ( 0)