@jtsnead Here are a few juicy comments I took away from the review:
In the summary of the review, Rogier Van Bakel noted that the PMG Pre consistently sounded “magical” and delivered “excitement.” Earlier, he had stated that the PMG Pre “brilliantly rendered piano performances across genres” and that it tapped directly into the emotions conveyed by the music, going “straight to the heart, bypassing the conscious brain.” He finishes his review by saying “I’d have no reservations about installing it as a reference.”
John Atkinson’s comments in the Measurements section backed up Rogier’s statement: “… the PS Audio PMG Signature is one of the best-measuring preamplifiers I have had in my test lab, rivaling the Benchmark LA4, the CH Precision L1 and L10 (both in Global Feedback mode), the MBL N11, and the Pass Labs XP-32.”
I had the MK II DAC when I got the PMG pre & I was wowed by the sound. I really liked the BHK but the PMG is at another level. When I got the PMG DAC right out of the box it was better sounding than the MK II but it didn’t wow me to the extent that the preamp did. Both the PMG components are better sounding than their predecessors but if I had to choose between the two , I would purchase the preamp first.
There have been periods when I think connecting my MKII directly is at another level in quality. Pure and pristine. Then I connect the StellarGold and I think the deeper more spacious soundstage is worth it over the slight losses it induces. Back and forth back and forth. The possibility that the PMG pre could give even better soundstage gains without the compromises is very tempting. Yesterday my system day was in tip top form and I wonder why I would spend more in the hope of improvement. On days like that I think that I’m getting all sound that that I’ve ever wanted. Ultimately the answer will only be clear by putting a PMG pre in the chain, breaking it in, and letting it speak for itself. Before I do I’ve decided I need to contact one of those companies that offer free room treatment advice about addressing a bass standing wave problem that I have near my listing position.
Ok an update, I decided to try a tube pre the Rogue RP-7 V2, it uses 4 12au7 tubes and what it brings to the table is mainly a deeper fuller bass, I feel the treble is a little less detailed, mids are the same to me. I know this probably predictable given tubes vs solid state but my question the guys that went from the SGP to the PMG how much better was the bass?
Also as an FYI I have the PMG being delivered this week so I know I can compare both, either way I will be moving up from the SGP
I will be watching for your thoughts on your new PMG preamp with interest. I’ve made a few minor changes that seem to make my SGP even better sounding in my system. I’m thinking more and more like I might settle down with this preamp long term. So, I’ll be very interested in your PMG experience.
Interested in what you tried , fuses etc.?, I am using Audioquest Wind Silver XLR from the SGD to the SGP and AQ Earth between SGP and my Orchard Audio 25 mono’s
I use Silversmith Fidelium XLRs and Iconoclast SPFPC speaker cables. Recent changes- I have my Stellar phono stage sitting on top of my SGP. From day one I used cones between them and Isoacoustic Oreas (Bordeaux) under the line stage. I removed to cones and instead simply used the stock rubber feet for the phono stage. This did two things. First it warmed the lower treble on phono enough to allow me to adjust my custom load a few ohms higher which opened up the sound stage without adding too much brightness. Secondly removing the solid coupling between the two pieces really opened up a more holographic soundstage with line stage which helped digital playback in particular. Lastly, I lowered the level of my subwoofer and decreased the crossover down to 42hz. Now the sub is active on the last octave only. Moving the listing position 1/4 inch further back improved soundstage further while removing mid bass contributions from the sub helped to keep that problematic area under control. Admittedly these changes are all, pretty much, specific to my room and situation but the end result was addressing much of the bass problems I was hearing with the SGP in the chain while bringing out more of the soundstage changes I was looking for with a preamp.