8 Most Expensive Preamplifiers – 2026 Ranking

Our ranking of Ultra High-End audio equipment continues – next up is a look at the most expensive and impressive preamplifiers. The models below are serial-produced; the list does not include long-discontinued units or one-off components. And believe us, each of these preamps is capable of surprising even seasoned audiophiles with their sound quality.

8. Soulution 727 Preamplifier

€62,000 

 Preamplifier with a huge frequency response is the Soulution 727 Preamplifier. Boasting a bandwidth of up to 20 MHz, this model, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB and distortion no higher than 0.00009%, is a true masterpiece of engineering. The circuit design utilizes a common-mode rejection module (CMMR >105 dB) without compromising the musical signal and utilizes an 80-step (1 dB) volume control based on high-precision metal foil resistors with relay control. The Soulution 727 Preamplifier simply unleashes a barrage of detail on the listener, revealing the soul of the music.

7. Pilium Audio Olympus

€68,000

The Pilium Audio Olympus three-block preamplifier offers a bandwidth of up to 500,000 Hz, a THD of 0.0172%, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 119 dB. The improved volume control circuit has the shortest path and is implemented with a single resistor. Reference power supplies are housed in separate enclosures for each channel and utilize proprietary transformers with a special insulated core in an encapsulated chassis. The Pilium Audio Olympus delivers a truly polished, chic sound, with a large, muscular presence.

6. Aavik C-880

$73,500

The Aavik C-880 preamplifier delivers captivating sound with a truly magical beauty of timbre and brilliance. As usual for the company, it boasts enough innovations to fill an encyclopedia: an ultra-quiet Resonant Mode power supply, 314 Tesla inductors and 633 square Tesla coils, 36 noise suppressors, a dither circuit, an active analog crossover, and much more. It's also worth noting that the unit is equipped with an inverted virtual GND amplifier circuit, which increases feedback by reducing the required gain to less than unity, ensuring an abundance of detail even at the quietest recording levels.

5. Ayon Audio Conquistador EVO

$75,000

The Ayon Audio Conquistador EVO vacuum tube preamplifier with an external power supply regenerator operates in pure Class A in SE-Triode mode (using a quartet of Ayon AA45-Mesh ECC88, 5U4G). The frequency response extends to 100,000 Hz, while the THD of 0.01% and signal-to-noise ratio of 98 dB are simply brilliant for such a circuit design. The external Spheris AC regenerator provides stable and clean AC power, completely decoupling the device from line voltage. A dual-ground topology ensures minimal background noise. The Ayon Audio Conquistador EVO pumps air by the liter and demonstrates benchmark dynamic characteristics.

4. Gryphon Audio Commander

€69,972

Operating in a frequency response range of 0.1–1,500,000 Hz with a THD of 0.003%, the Gryphon Commander preamplifier exemplifies the goal of creating the ultimate amplifier in every respect. The configuration is, of course, dual mono, with an external power supply. The main circuit uses a single-ended Class A input buffer. There is no global negative feedback, but there is DC servo coupling. Volume control is implemented using an ultra-low-capacitance microprocessor-controlled relay and Charcroft Z-Foil Audio resistors. Power is provided by four 36 VA toroidal transformers (two per channel); the capacitor bank is a premium Mundorf MCap ZN. The sound is captivating, with a perfectly accurate timbre and spatial imaging.

3. Absolare Eternum Pre

$85,000

The Absolare Eternum Pre, a single-ended, zero-feedback vacuum tube preamplifier, is a true master of grace, agility, and transparency. It features a 48-step attenuator with discrete resistors and is powered by a pair of 12AU7/ECC82 NOS vacuum tubes. An input impedance of 100 kOhms and an output impedance of 750 Ohms ensure comfortable coupling with power amplifiers. The icing on the cake is the Nutella leather trim.

2. Goldmund Mimesis Reference

$142,000

The recently released Goldmund Mimesis Reference preamplifier literally pulls back the curtain on your system, bringing familiar tracks to life with a wealth of new detail (thanks to its negligible levels of total harmonic distortion and intermodulation distortion). Built on a minimalist design, the model utilizes pure Class A output stages. The dual-mono design features each channel with its own power supply and dedicated audiophile transformers. A separate power supply is also implemented for controlling the digital portion of the unit. Everything is unique here, from the proprietary heatsink to the proprietary component base and oxygen-free gold interconnects.

1. Dan D'Agostino Relentless Preamplifier

$165,000

The mastodon Dan D'Agostino Relentless Preamplifier sounds vibrant and delicate, delivering a sound of incredible precision and integrity. Operating in a bandwidth of up to 120,000 Hz with a THD of 0.006% and a signal-to-noise ratio of 105 dB, the device is housed in a three-block chassis - separate modules for each channel and a single power supply with a control unit. It utilizes extensive electrical and magnetic shielding and specialized matching circuitry with RFI filtering. The power supply is divided into two sources with 150 VA toroidal transformers - one for the digital and one for the analog sections. These transformers feed an 8 A bridge rectifier and a 26,400 microfarad filter capacity - a capability that even many power amplifiers would envy! With an input impedance of over 1 MOhm, the Relentless Preamplifier's input section is immune to electrical line noise. The volume control utilizes a discrete FET input stage with an input voltage of up to 30 V.