Being undecided as to whether to purchase Audio Research Reference Pre and power or Devialet integrated, I decided to get in touch with John Sampson (JS Audio) whom I last spoke to in 1996 / 97 when he was the technical manager at Musical Fidelity and he reassured me in his friendly and confident manner to have my Nu-Vista preamp which is 15 years old to be serviced and upgraded before I spent several thousand pounds on the above amps. I have always prized my Nu-Vista preamp as being world class and still do, provided it’s in the right system.
When my Nu-Vista preamp was returned back to me a week or two later I could not believe the transformation that had taken place within my Hi-Fi system. To my ears the sound quality, MUSICALITY, soundstage, transparency and presence had improved by 100 per cent. This guy John Sampson, in my opinion has the Midas touch, and besides he has saved me thousands of pounds in trying to acquire the sound and musicality which I have so much desired over the years. I have heard or possessed the Leaks, Ratfords, Krells, Audio Research, Levinsons, McIntosh, Linn, Naim etc over the years, but none of these match my Hi-Fi system after my Nu-Vista preamp upgrade. My son on hearing my system after the upgrade has made up his mind to upgrade his amps etc through John in the New Year. My son is also a Hi-Fi nut and possesses several Hi-Fi units, predominantly Musical Fidelity.
Thanks John for the wonderful transformation in listening to music and achieving musicality, even though over 16 years has passed when I last spoke to you and Indra at Musical Fidelity.
Dr Adrian Thomas