Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?

Both Lyra preamp and phono stage sound great. I believe pre was Connoisseur 4.2.

They have a sweet sound without being edgy or harsh. As far as I remember Lyra phono doesn’t offer any adjustments. Great products!
Your impressions match mine on this pair. Simply sublime and a gorgeous portrayal. But in full disclosure: I’ve also owned half a dozen Lyra cartridges. My latest love is an Etna Lambda
 
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Well, I know one of these! I have always read good things about the Lyra Connoisseur 4.3 and remember reading about the Trinity when it first came out. And the Robert Koda has a special place here in the system.
Was there Lyra Connoisseur 4.3? I used to own 4.0 / 4.2 SE version... but existence of 4.3 is quite new to me... In any case, excellent sounding gear...
 
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Was there Lyra Connoisseur 4.3? I used to own 4.0 / 4.2 SE version... but existence of 4.3 is quite new to me... In any case, excellent sounding gear...
I am no expert on this particular amp...but here is a link to a discussion around the 4.3...see post #67

 
Was there Lyra Connoisseur 4.3? I used to own 4.0 / 4.2 SE version... but existence of 4.3 is quite new to me... In any case, excellent sounding gear...
Yes, the 4.2se was updated to the 4.3
 

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Gentlemen,
I am a proud owner of the Lyra Connoisseur 4.3se line stage upgraded from the 4.2. Took 14 months. Owned since new in 2006 and supplied by Nigel Crump and Symmetry Systems. My broker was the late great and world renowned reviewer Chris Thomas.
It's a masterpiece engineered by Jonathan Carr within Lyra as run by Stig Bjorge. This is a totally bespoke product and far to complex to be built on production line. Through the past 40+ years I have listened to and had the privilege own owning high end products lauded from all over the world like the David Bernings, ML No.32, McCormack, D'Angostinos', DartZeels, Jeff Koda and the list goes on. Listening in demo scenarios vs owning is a different ball game as we all know.
What the 4.3 does musically, is beyond anything I have experienced in half a century. And by a significant margin. There are no 4.3's for sale worldwide for good reason. 4.2's a very rare. If you want to upgrade, its at least a 1 year wait and you need deep pockets.
If your system is an expressive musical tool, the Lyra will take it to places you will never thought possible. It's that good.
 
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I am no expert on this particular amp...but here is a link to a discussion around the 4.3...see post #67

Zanden 4 box - my favourite of all time. And that includes the full stack DCS.
 
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Well, I know one of these! I have always read good things about the Lyra Connoisseur 4.3 and remember reading about the Trinity when it first came out. And the Robert Koda has a special place here in the system.
I own the 4.3se line stage.
It takes music to places never though possible.
Its rare, and none available worldwide for good reason.
Best pre-amp I have experienced in half a century. Thanks to the late great Chris Thomas who was closely affiliated with the designer.
 
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Zanden 4 box - my favourite of all time. And that includes the full stack DCS.
Excellent! Mine as well up thru the DCS Vivaldi generation...but have not heard the more recent Varese.

With the Lyra 4.3 (which I have never heard but have discussed at length with Roy Gregory who is an enormous admirer and I believe long-time owner of the 4.2LE?)...I have a sense of your ear and am most intrigued to hear about your experience with the legendary 4.3.
 
It would be a phantastic shootout with Lyra Connoisseur, Koda K15, Zanden 3000.2 and Kondo G1000i, some of the most musical Japanese preamps, all quite different, but all well respected.
I unfortunately just know the later two…
 
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It would be a phantastic shootout with Lyra Connoisseur, Koda K15, Zanden 3000.2 and Kondo G1000i, some of the most musical Japanese preamps, all quite different, but all well respected.
I unfortunately just know the later two…
Interesting...had not appreciated Lyra was also one of the elite names from Japan. Looking at your list where I know a number of these, I suppose one could add Shindo and Wavac.

And then there is also a new one I know little about but intuitively think has the potential to be phenomenal is YS Sound. https://www.yssound.jp/
 
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Speaking of superlative Japanese preamps, I'm trialing an Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo and it is quite remarkable. Shame that Esoteric don't get talked about enough, especially their non-digital offerings.
 
Speaking of superlative Japanese preamps, I'm trialing an Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo and it is quite remarkable. Shame that Esoteric don't get talked about enough, especially their non-digital offerings.
Teac is another major company (like Pioneer/TAD) who have invested a lot into a high end line via Esoteric.
 
I will just post on those preamplifiers I have owned, not heard at shows or friends set-ups.

Thrax Dionysos Line Preamp
Reimyo CAT-777 Line preamp
Gryphon Elektra Dual Mono Line preamp

All for very different reasons, but all brought joy to the listening experience.
 

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