Hattor Pre-amp Inbound

The Hattor appears to be smoothing out nicely. I was noticing last evening just how smooth and accurate it was sounding. Sound stage is to die for!!! Over all sound performance, at this point, seems to be very similar to the Stage 2. Smooth, uncolored, accurate, fantastic sound stage, great bass control!

I really like the hook ups and controls. You can get any configuration of XLR and RCAs that you like from the five inputs. I have three XLR and two RCA inputs, and two outputs each for both XLR and RCAs for the four that are included.

The control knobs are large and nice. The volume numbers are large and easy to see from across the room. I like that the remote is metal and can control both left and right in unison or individually (balance control). Also input up or down, mute, power, and a display dim (4 levels) all from the nice little metal remote.

I also love that a separate power box is utilized!

So far all good with the Hattor!
 
I have now had the Hattor for a long enough time to get a good feel for it. At this point I would say it is a keeper. Flexible hookups, easy controls without adding extra nonsense. Sounds beautiful and adds nothing. Exactly what I loved about the Stage 2 but matches my system better. Very nice unit, highly recommended for anyone looking for a preamp that does what it is supposed to and nothing else!
 
Congratulations Randy, great news.

I still love my Wyred stage 2. I’m sure your Hattor is amazing too.
 
joeinid said:
Congratulations Randy, great news.

I still love my Wyred stage 2. I’m sure your Hattor is amazing too.
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Yup, more similarities than differences accept the Hattor does not have the active stage standard (but that is available as an option including a tube active stage). I would say the Stage 2 and the Hattor are the best sounding pre-amps I have owned! Everything that I loved about the Stage 2 but it matches the T+A in my system much better, and I really love the little remote and separate power supply!
 
Well I decided to go all out. Arek is allowing me to trade up so the AMRG Trans resistor version which will be sent by the end of the week!!! According to Arek the Takman REX and REY resistors are a bit more detailed then the standard Vishay resistor version. He told me the AMRG is warmer, richer sounding which is right up my alley. All around a very nice improvement which I think should make this as good sounding pre-amp as I could want!!!

I know quality, solid case (Arek offered for me to look inside) is as solid as I have seen. Nicely made metal, nice metal remote, top quality parts, external power supply, etc. Very good stuff!
 
So Arek built a new AMRG version of the pre-amp and burnt it in over the weekend. He shipped it out from Poland on Tuesday. I just got word that it is being delivered today. Two days to deliver from Poland to California. I can't even get something from LA in two days :).... amazing :D.
 
The step up Hattor did arrive today. This is Arek's top of the line piece with the AMRG Trans resistors. I listened for a couple hours tonight. I know it has some run in to do (like 100 hours or so), but my initial impressions are very positive. The standard model impressed me, this one even more so.

Listening a bit longer tonight I got a clearer picture of some of the things I am hearing. Very detailed but not analytic, if that makes sense. More air around the instruments, really really solid and consistent sound stage. I did not hear the typical image wandering that some equipment does. It seemed like a very deep depth to the sound stage. Very impressive indeed. I think if you like other highly rated passives such as the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2 then you will be very happy with this. Probably to early to say but I think I might like this better than the Stage 2! Very musical, even more so then the standard Vishay model. I can only look forward to it getting even better. If it does continue to improve this will be my go to pre-amp for sure!

Pretty awesome pre-amp; all of the inputs and outputs I could possibly want. Arek custom builds whatever configuration of XLR/RCA you want. I had mine built with 3x Stereo XLR and 2x Stereo RCA inputs; 2x XLR stereo and 2x RCA stereo outputs. External power supply, nifty metal remote, very nice solid metal case, dual mono, shipped in a flight case... and what a deal. Under 2 grand for the top model and in my view I would put the sound against virtually anything out there... the Stage 2 is commonly consider one of the best giant killers out there... at half the price this is simply amazing.

I also had Arek put black knobs on this one. It looks much better with the T+A gear! Very nice match... and it literally took two days to ship it from Poland.... holy cow that surprised me. Oh, it took him about a week to build it.
 
Ahoj Randy,
děkuji za váš příspěvek, Big Hattor duální mono AMRG Trans pasivní / aktivní právě teď Arek budovy pro mě, který jste obdrželi příští týden, těším se na poslech
 
The upgrade one looks the same other then I had him put black knobs on. It looks a bit better with the T+A with the black ones :).

So far I am loving it. The best pre-amp I have ever owned in my view!

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The photo does not do it justice :)... I might have to take some others... it is very heavy metal casing... I also love the separate power supply (lower shelf) and really nice feeling metal remote. Shipped in the flight case is a nice touch. It is much smoother than the lower model, with amazing sound stage both in width and depth. The clarity is simply stunning. I guess a passive pre-amp is the way for me... really like the W4S Stage 2, so far am liking the Hattor even more!
 
PavelDosko said:
děkuji za odpověď, co aktivní fáze - is it useful ? My Hattor will come tomorrow :-)
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Nice... it is an awesome pre-amp. I am 100% happy with it at this point. I hope you enjoy it as well!

Not sure what you wrote out prior to the "is it useful" however if you are referring to the cables, I do like AudioQuest but there are other very good ones as well. A lot of personal preference. Not sure I would claim one brand better than another but I definitely hear the differences with good cables!
 
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