[Review] Malaysian Promitheus Vs First Music Preamp update

**larkrise** · 9th October 2006, 11:36

Hi all - I promised an update on this so thought new thread may be in order. Have burned in the Malayan promitheus and it sounds terrific - extremely impressive. I swapped back to the First Music and afraid the First Music has it! Without trotting out the usual desciptive cliches the thing that struck me straight off was the fluidity of the sound with the First Music - but and this is a big BUT it wasn't a huge difference in comparison with the Promitheus and we are talking £1500 versus £160 ish. So I would unreservedly reccomend this little preamp it is an absolute bargain and defintitely delivers. I was tempted to sell my First Music and put a grand in my pocket - but no - this is a superb preamp and having as near as damn it got there with a great sound I'm keeping it. But for those that want to try a passive preamp and a tvc transformer to boot - the promitheus is a must buy with a lovely smooth and detailed sound and great sound stage. Also - the service from this company is excellent.

**bottleneck** · 9th October 2006, 11:58

do you have any links to websites?

cheers,
chris

**zanash** · 9th October 2006, 14:24

http://www.promitheusaudio.com/frontpage.html

**anubisgrau** · 10th October 2006, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by larkrise

Hi all - I promised an update on this so thought new thread may be in order. Have burned in the Malayan promitheus and it sounds terrific - extremely impressive. I swapped back to the First Music and afraid the First Music has it! Without trotting out the usual desciptive cliches the thing that struck me straight off was the fluidity of the sound with the First Music - but and this is a big BUT it wasn't a huge difference in comparison with the Promitheus and we are talking £1500 versus £160 ish. So I would unreservedly reccomend this little preamp it is an absolute bargain and defintitely delivers. I was tempted to sell my First Music and put a grand in my pocket - but no - this is a superb preamp and having as near as damn it got there with a great sound I'm keeping it. But for those that want to try a passive preamp and a tvc transformer to boot - the promitheus is a must buy with a lovely smooth and detailed sound and great sound stage. Also - the service from this company is excellent.

hi can you elaborate what connections you have used, balanced or single ended, as MF is known as sounding significantly better via XLR route.

also what is the rest of the system used, source, cables and speakers

cheers gordan

**larkrise** · 10th October 2006, 18:50

Hi Gordan - in haste

balanced XLR conectrs - much prefer balanced - the promitheus I have is the balanced version- - Goertz speaker cable
Audio Sythesis: Transcend ASL modidied, Discrete DAC ASL modified via twin glass optical ST, Desire Decade amp, Martin Logan Ascents and Townsend super tweeters

**anubisgrau** · 17th October 2006, 12:19

Larkrise,

you should have updated your observations on Promitheus.

How its sound developed with the unit being now more run-in?

**larkrise** · 20th October 2006, 11:40

Update as promised. I went back to the First Music (or Music First can never remember the way round) - as I eventually thought this had the edge. Switched back after a while and now believe I may be wrong - the Promitheus may actually be better and it really isn't run in yet. So - er I'll let you know further!

**T-bone Sanchez** · 20th October 2006, 14:17

Theres also a 'Reference' version on the way, I might be tempted with that.

**anubisgrau** · 28th October 2006, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-bone Sanchez

Theres also a 'Reference' version on the way, I might be tempted with that.

according to nicholas there is no apparent difference to a balanced version at the moment. he still hasn't worked on better XLR input connectors but considering the advantages of balanced cables i seriously doubt if difference would be worth paying more, except for usual audiofools placebo benefits (peace of mind etc...)

any updates on promitheus sound? how's about a slight harshness some users reported?

**anubisgrau** · 28th October 2006, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by larkrise

Update as promised. I went back to the First Music (or Music First can never remember the way round) - as I eventually thought this had the edge. Switched back after a while and now believe I may be wrong - the Promitheus may actually be better and it really isn't run in yet. So - er I'll let you know further!

you are cheating, mate!

7 days and no update!

anyone tested promitheus against a top active pre?

**larkrise** · 28th October 2006, 13:41

Can't a man have flu in peace for God's sake!

Dropped in out of courtesy and will post later- it is sounding great form my occasional listens when sucking soup through a straw before returning to bed and at the moment might be set to replace the First Music - not that it is a lot better simply a question of £1500

**anubisgrau** · 28th October 2006, 19:46

sorry! enjoy your soup

**anubisgrau** · 2nd November 2006, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by larkrise

Can't a man have flu in peace for God's sake!

larkrise, we are worried if you've survived your flu?

**larkrise** · 12th November 2006, 13:07

Thanks for all the flowers and chocolates and the cards.

Actually, whilst installing a new power shower i slashed the top of my finger open, put my back out with the shock and had to demolish half the bathroom wall as the pipes wouldn't match up properly. Other than than not bad and the shower works beautifully.

I still have this cigar box ahead of the game, but in honesty I haven't been doing a huge amount of listening. Going to give it a good listen over next couple of weeks and switch back to Music First and see what I think then. So promise to return with yet another update.

**T-bone Sanchez** · 28th November 2006, 12:44

Can I just ask how long it took for these units too arrive?

I ordered one weeks ago and apart from one very brief email, not heard a dicky bird since. Ive emailed and emailed asking for updates but no response. I paid through paypal and everything cleared straight away. Im starting to get a tad worried!

9th October 2006, 11:36	#1
larkrise Sheepdogs prefer red wine Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 707	Malaysian Promitheus Vs First Music Preamp update Hi all - I promised an update on this so thought new thread may be in order. Have burned in the Malayan promitheus and it sounds terrific - extremely impressive. I swapped back to the First Music and afraid the First Music has it! Without trotting out the usual desciptive cliches the thing that struck me straight off was the fluidity of the sound with the First Music - but and this is a big BUT it wasn't a huge difference in comparison with the Promitheus and we are talking £1500 versus £160 ish. So I would unreservedly reccomend this little preamp it is an absolute bargain and defintitely delivers. I was tempted to sell my First Music and put a grand in my pocket - but no - this is a superb preamp and having as near as damn it got there with a great sound I'm keeping it. But for those that want to try a passive preamp and a tvc transformer to boot - the promitheus is a must buy with a lovely smooth and detailed sound and great sound stage. Also - the service from this company is excellent.

9th October 2006, 11:58	#2
bottleneck talks a load of rubbish Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: bucks Posts: 6,651	do you have any links to websites? cheers, chris __________________ come friendly bombs and fall on benidorm

20th October 2006, 11:40	#7
larkrise Sheepdogs prefer red wine Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 707	Promitheus preamp - I may have changed my mind. . . Update as promised. I went back to the First Music (or Music First can never remember the way round) - as I eventually thought this had the edge. Switched back after a while and now believe I may be wrong - the Promitheus may actually be better and it really isn't run in yet. So - er I'll let you know further!

20th October 2006, 14:17	#8
T-bone Sanchez Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In paradise Posts: 1,411	Theres also a 'Reference' version on the way, I might be tempted with that. __________________ I pity the dingles

12th November 2006, 13:07	#14
larkrise Sheepdogs prefer red wine Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 707	Update promitheus and our power shower Thanks for all the flowers and chocolates and the cards. Actually, whilst installing a new power shower i slashed the top of my finger open, put my back out with the shock and had to demolish half the bathroom wall as the pipes wouldn't match up properly. Other than than not bad and the shower works beautifully. I still have this cigar box ahead of the game, but in honesty I haven't been doing a huge amount of listening. Going to give it a good listen over next couple of weeks and switch back to Music First and see what I think then. So promise to return with yet another update.

9th October 2006, 14:24	#3
zanash Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Notts. Posts: 3,796	http://www.promitheusaudio.com/frontpage.html

10th October 2006, 18:50	#5
larkrise Sheepdogs prefer red wine Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 707	Hi Gordan - in haste balanced XLR conectrs - much prefer balanced - the promitheus I have is the balanced version- - Goertz speaker cable Audio Sythesis: Transcend ASL modidied, Discrete DAC ASL modified via twin glass optical ST, Desire Decade amp, Martin Logan Ascents and Townsend super tweeters

17th October 2006, 12:19	#6
anubisgrau Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 662	Larkrise, you should have updated your observations on Promitheus. How its sound developed with the unit being now more run-in?

28th October 2006, 13:41	#11
larkrise Sheepdogs prefer red wine Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 707	Can't a man have flu in peace for God's sake! Dropped in out of courtesy and will post later- it is sounding great form my occasional listens when sucking soup through a straw before returning to bed and at the moment might be set to replace the First Music - not that it is a lot better simply a question of £1500

28th October 2006, 19:46	#12
anubisgrau Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 662	sorry! enjoy your soup

28th November 2006, 12:44	#15
T-bone Sanchez Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In paradise Posts: 1,411	Can I just ask how long it took for these units too arrive? I ordered one weeks ago and apart from one very brief email, not heard a dicky bird since. Ive emailed and emailed asking for updates but no response. I paid through paypal and everything cleared straight away. Im starting to get a tad worried! __________________ I pity the dingles