D'Agostino Momentum Pre-Amp Mini Review

NorthStar said:
Jim, right on! :cool:

BTW, in the thread's title there are two misspellings:
1. D'Agostino, and not D'Agonstino
2. Momentum, and not Momemtum

---- ;) ---- ...In your sig, they are both properly spelled.
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Bob
Thank you for noticing my error. I was able to correct the secondary title. I will re-read the post to make sure I did not repeat the spelling mistakes.

Note: I was unable to correct the main title after all. Maybe a Moderator could fix that. Sorry

I will also remove the redundant parts of the two posts. I was unable to attach all pictures to one post. Probably a size issue.
 
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Lildebs said:
Thank you Jim for the great review! I have been drooling over the D'Agostino monoblocks ever since they were first introduced at CES. I am glad I know a couple people who have them hooked up to get my fix.

It was fun playing around with the prototype of the preamp you reviewed here last CES (was not able to hear it since it was only on static display). Liked the mechanics of it, and the feel of the dial. Sounds like they are great addition to the D'Agostino line up :)
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Debby, Thank You. I think Dan's vision for the Momentum Line for sound, industrial design, user interface and engineering and been nicely executed.

I truly believe that both the amps and pre-amp should be included in any discussion or list of current "Best Products". At this level it often comes down to personal preferences.
 
still-one said:
Bob
Thank you for noticing my error. I was able to correct the secondary title. I will re-read the post to make sure I did not repeat the spelling mistakes.

Note: I was unable to correct the main title after all. Maybe a Moderator could fix that. Sorry

I will also remove the redundant parts of the two posts. I was unable to attach all pictures to one post. Probably a size issue.
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Done!

Sorry it took so long. I was afraid to mess with it. I may the title but I'm taking baby steps.
 
ohbythebay said:
Three words...Very Very Cool :cool:

I tried looking them up and found the site - but who sells them commercially? Thanks
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I purchased my amps and was loaned the pre-amp from Paragon Sight and Sound in Ann Arbor, Michigan. PM me if you would like their phone number or contact information.

There are currently not that many dealers.
 
I received my Dag Preamp about a week ago, and i will definitely say that it is the best preamp I have had in my system. It has replaced the ARC Ref 40 that I was using with a ARC Ref 75.

A little history: In late January I got a Dag Momentum Stereo and it really improved everything over the Ref 75 that I was using mainly. The Ref 75 is a very special amp, but the Dag is really on a different level. And it should be for the extra money it costs. No real surprises there. What did surprise me though, is that I liked the Ayre KXR equal to the Ref 40 (different but equal) when used with the Dag even though I liked the Ref 40 quite a bit better when used with the Ref 75 and even the Ayre MXRs. So I had high hopes for the Dag preamp after seeing it at CES in January, I decided to order one.

It has not disappointed at all.
 
the professor said:
I received my Dag Preamp about a week ago, and i will definitely say that it is the best preamp I have had in my system. It has replaced the ARC Ref 40 that I was using with a ARC Ref 75.

A little history: In late January I got a Dag Momentum Stereo and it really improved everything over the Ref 75 that I was using mainly. The Ref 75 is a very special amp, but the Dag is really on a different level. And it should be for the extra money it costs. No real surprises there. What did surprise me though, is that I liked the Ayre KXR equal to the Ref 40 (different but equal) when used with the Dag even though I liked the Ref 40 quite a bit better when used with the Ref 75 and even the Ayre MXRs. So I had high hopes for the Dag preamp after seeing it at CES in January, I decided to order one.

It has not disappointed at all.
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It really is an amazing piece. I will have one after I re-fill the audio kitty.
 
Mike
I am still considering the unit and just trying to figure out how to allocate my audio funds. After hearing the DCS Vivaldi pieces at RMAF the DAC and transport have me interested. Unfortunately they do not integrate as well as the 808v3 with SooLoos.

At the recent Night of Fine Sounds Event at Paragon in Ann Arbor I spoke with Dan D'Agostino again about the synergy of the mono blocks and the pre-amp and this got the juices boiling again. Not sure what next year will bring as far as audio surprises.
 
still-one said:
Mike
I am still considering the unit and just trying to figure out how to allocate my audio funds. After hearing the DCS Vivaldi pieces at RMAF the DAC and transport have me interested. Unfortunately they do not integrate as well as the 808v3 with SooLoos.

At the recent Night of Fine Sounds Event at Paragon in Ann Arbor I spoke with Dan D'Agostino again about the synergy of the mono blocks and the pre-amp and this got the juices boiling again. Not sure what next year will bring as far as audio surprises.
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A great preamp will last a lot longer than a great DAC. A great DAC today will be outdated in no short order. A great preamp will always be a great preamp. Just saying.....

There are so many great DACS in the $5000-10,000 range, that I'm just not sure spending more isn't going to be hit by the big wall of diminishing returns and more importantly, rapid depreciation.

I would think that a Meitner MA-1 or MSB Analogue DAC or DCS Debussy with a D'Agostino preamp would yield more and longer term benefits.

But I do see the appeal of the DCS. Right now, it's the top digital playback system and after hearing it at RMAF and Goodwins, I can see why you really like it.
 
Mike said:
A great preamp will last a lot longer than a great DAC. A great DAC today will be outdated in no short order. A great preamp will always be a great preamp. Just saying.....

There are so many great DACS in the $5000-10,000 range, that I'm just not sure spending more isn't going to be hit by the big wall of diminishing returns and more importantly, rapid depreciation.

I would think that a Meitner MA-1 or MSB Analogue DAC or DCS Debussy with a D'Agostino preamp would yield more and longer term benefits.

But I do see the appeal of the DCS. Right now, it's the top digital playback system and after hearing it at RMAF and Goodwins, I can see why you really like it.
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Mike
The MSB and DeBussy have nothing on my Meridian other than they can handle DSD and "currently" there is no interesting music for that format. If they continue to release the SOS and not new content then the lack of DSD capability is not a factor for me.
 
You raise an interesting point about the SOS. I hope Sony gets off their butts and releases new albums in DSD for direct download.
 
$32K for a preamp is definitely outside of my budget (for a whole system, in fact), but at least it looks like a statement piece. The attention to detail on the design is of major appeal and one of the things that leads to that drool factor in out of reach components. If you are going to spend that kind of money on anything it damn well better look and feel expensive and not just like another black box (aka Lamm gear).

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program, as I go out and buy another lottery ticket. Hey, ya never know.
 
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