The heart of your audiosystem, the RLD-1 offers full remote control of volume, balance, and source selection. The high-performance volume control offers smooth and preciselevel adjustment withvirtually perfect channel tracking. The numeric display reads out the level settings inboth channels in dB of gain or attenuation. The RLD-1's powerful dynamics, great clarity and transparency, and 3D sound staging draw you into aworld of musical beauty. To facilitate integration of your audio and video systems, the RLD-1 features a 'Theater' mode, which sets the RLD-1 to unity gainand locks out the volume and balance controls, passing control to your surround sound processor. Specifications: Active line stage preamplifier with 6 line level inputs including: 1 tape loop, 120 dB range of volume attenuation in .5dB steps Dimensions: 19"w x 3.5"h x 12"d. Input impedance: 10k ohms. THD and IMD: less than .1% at 1 volt rms out Hum and Noise: better than 96 dB below 2.5 volts rms out The home-theater pass-through is a wonderful feature that I wish would be incorporated into more stereo preamps. The home-theater mode automatically puts the RLD-1 into unity gain, which in effect allows the signal from the front speaker output of a preamp/processor or A/V receiver (if it's equipped with preamp outs) to simply pass through the RLD-1 to the amplifier. This means you can continue to use your existing pre/pro or receiver for watching movies while using the RLD-1 for more critical two-channel listening without having to worry about re-calibrating volume levels every time you switch from stereo listening to watching TV or a movie. "One less thang." If your priority is two-channel music and if, like me, you can only have one system, having a stereo preamp with a home-theater pass-through feature may be the easiest, most sonically pure, and least expensive way to incorporate high-end stereo capability into your home-theater rig. See a full review at [URL]http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/mccormack_rld1.htm[/URL] The original price was £1650 but this one has been further upgraded by Steve McCormack himself to Rev A status. This involves replacing numerous components with the the absolutely best components available. The upgrade cost a further £700 so this is a chance for someone to pick up a serious bargain. If you were thinking of trying a Krell but were put off by the reliability and slight harshness; or if you were contemplating a Mark Levinson but found the sound too grey, then you should try the McCormack. It has a sound that combines the smoothness of valves without any of the complications (noise, etc.). Now on eBay [URL]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5722336438&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT[/URL]
