Onkyo P-3000R Reference Hi-Fi Preamplifier (Black)

After first purchasing this pre-amp I was compelled to bite the bullet and get the matching Amp and CD player. Never expected to own a sound system that sounds so good. (Paired with a new set of Bowes & Wilkins CM9's). The build quality of the system is amazing. It screams audiophile grade. I attached an Apple Airport Express to this unit and stream Hi-Resolution Files. Yes I know ITunes down samples the stream but the music sounds even better than having the CD as its source. Hoping to find out shortly that the next version of Airport Express streams hi-res without down sampling. If that is not the case will get the Sony Hi-Resolution Player. I don't want to attach a computer to the system, but could if I wanted to.

A fantastic performer from Onkyo. It's a steal for the price! It stacks up really well even against preamps in 5k zone. Sound is balanced and warm, not harsh and analytical at all. It has tone controls and can sound really powerful if you raise the bass. The best sound comes with the USB port(24/192) when directly connected to a computer. I've experimented with a lot of gear and this even beats the Naim unititlite and dac v1 in performance. One thing to keep in mind - this thing will not flatter poor recordings. Give it your cd's or purchased MP3s and it will truly show off it's fine talents!

The team have connected to an amplifier "Emotions XPA-2" and a speaker "Polkaudio Rti A9". The set sounds as much like having the artist to 5 mts. Best regards,

Since discrete bipolar circuitries are used everywhere, it has a smooth and warm sound. Sound staging is excellent. If you like analytical sound, you would look somewhere else. One thing that bothers me is when using it as a DAC. The DAC is too warm sounding. This is because there is an extra emitter follower stage before the Line 3 Output jack. I have a mod that will bypass this buffer and the DAC will sound clearer. Note this buffer does not matter when using the Onkyo as a preamp because it is not in the signal path. Here are mod steps: On the main circuit board: Remove C315, C317 Remove C379 connect 1.2 kohms resistor between C379-ve and C315-ve Remove C316, C318 Remove C380 connect 1.2 kohms resistor between C380-ve and C316-ve

The first thing you will notice when you pick this thing up is that it feels like it has been cut from a block of aluminum. Heavy, dense, quality. I didnt expect this preamp to have much of an impact on my system. I was using the preouts on my onkyo 9050 integrated amp, hooked into the onkyo m-5000r amplifier (gorgeous). Well, consider me a believer. The clarity and control were vastly improved. This is coming from a skeptic! I really cant believe the difference in sound. I find myself asking "What else could I want from a stereo?" Im not going to delve into the features on this because the product description does it justice. This thing, along with the m-5000r, are the real deal. I know its expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for!