[Audio Empire]

Just received an Audio Technica AT-PEQ3 phono preamp from Jerry Raskin's
Needle Doctor. It is currently on-sale for $44.00! It's a small aluminum
box, not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes. It uses an 18 Volt DC
wall-wart for power. I was skeptical, but I've been using a Krell preamp with
no phono input for some time and a Revolver 2 for my phono stage (which is
excellent) but the Revolver was a review sample and the US importer wanted it
back. I saw the AT advertised and figured, what the hec,k, it will certainly
do until I can research this further and get something better.

Upon unpacking, I connected the AT-PEQ3 to my HP 204D audio oscillator
through my trusty Old Colony Sound reverse RIAA network and the output to my
HP 3400A audio voltmeter and did a frequency sweep. less than 1 dB variation
from about 25 Hz to past 30 KHz. This is even better than AQ specs it. Didn't
test S/N, but it is certainly quiet enough to not doubt Audio Technica's spec
of -85 dB.

It sounds excellent using my Sumiko Blackbird, the output of which is right
at the bottom threshold of the phono stage's specified sensitivity (2.5 mV).
Good, taut bass with plenty of extension, clean midrange and highs and fine
imaging and soundstage. Anyone looking for a decent phono stage could do
worse, that's for sure.

http://tinyurl.com/ykmrukd

Needless to say, I'm not associated with either Needle Doctor or Audio
Technica. Just passing along a worthwhile bargain to all my audio friends
here!