Best Of

I’ll begin this with saying I usually don’t try out tweaks/accessories like this so I went into this with very low expectations and a great deal of skepticism. I have some upgraded Audioquest interconnects and speaker cabling in my system and to my ears I can’t tell the difference between it and generic no name cabling I was using.

My system consists of a Marantz 8012 AVR, Parasound A21+ used for mains, Luxman D-05u SACD player, Oppo 205, Sony HAP Z1-ES , Polk L800’s , and a PSA TV2112 sub with all but the Parasound plugged into a Panamax surge protector. Not high end by any stretch but a very decent system for me and my needs.

I spent the weekend with the snub way. Probably 2 hours Friday night and 6 hours each Saturday and Sunday. I played multiple SACD discs through both disc players- MoFi Van Halen’s, Dire Straits, Eagles, etc as well as standard redbook CD’s. I have my entire CD collection stored on the Z1-ES so tested with it as well.

Initially I didn’t detect a noticeable change but the more I listened the more I wanted to continue listening. I realized there was a difference to what I was hearing. It was a subtle but a positive change nonetheless. What I was hearing was more “there” more “visceral” more “real” if that makes sense.

I pulled it out of my system a couple of hours ago to box up so I can ship it to the next person in line. What I’m hearing is less involving without it plugged in. In my opinion there was enough improvement to me that I am going to order one tonight.

To wrap all this up I can tell a difference with the Snub Way in and out of my system- a positive difference. As I said at the beginning of this brief review I don’t usually get into tweaks like this but I am very glad I made myself available for this road test as learned everything is not snake oil.

Anyone have first hand experience with this unit? Having the Parasound A21+ amp in my system I'm assuming it would be an ideal match. I know you can mix & match units from different manufacturers but curious if staying within the same line might be the way to go.

I've been running mine since February 2012! Didn't think I'd had it that long. I originally got it to integrate into my home theater system but eventually put it in my two channel system to replace a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 preamp. It's been used with a Classe Model 25 amp, Parasound A21, and currently with a Parasound JC5. I consider it to be neutral and with a very low noise floor quiet. Definitely not a "tubey" sound but it's got a powerful and direct quality to it. It'll let the A21+ show what it's got without imposing much character of its own. The low noise floor in comparison to other preamps I've had was what's made me keep it for so long. It did allow me to really notice the sound differences between an A21 amp and the JC5. The manual says it's designed to "bloom" once the volume gets up around the half-way mark. That's where mine sounds its best.