Counterpoint SA-3000

Description

Original owner. Counterpoint SA-3000 hybrid well regarded tube/solid state preamp from the mid 90s complete with power supply and has been pampered by service, check ups, and updates every decade or so. Dual channel mono design that has a cult following for obvious reasons. This particular counterpoint preamp has been fully upgraded by Mike Elliot at Alta Vista in 2008 via Analogique in Manhattan. These mods and upgrades were beyond the well known LSP standard upgrade which was over $1300 back then. It was to fortify reliability and increase performance, which it did. He also bypassed the balance control and the Moving Coil pre phono. Moving magnet phono is heavenly of course, BUT NO MC Phono stage. I had no reason to argue with Mr. Elliot, only to trust him. If you compare pictures from stock or LSP, you can see the differences here that are probably the last iteration before they (Alta Vista) closed down a few years later. It is also been recently serviced in 2021 for tube maintenance/replacement and a check over. Fresh tubes have also been put in earlier this year. The only thing to notice is the Led 501 current limit, which has always been mildly dim lit since the 2008 upgrade from Mr. Elliot. He made noticeable changes in the evolution of this after 15 years. One of the best preamps I've ever heard. Buy with confidence.

Condition notes

Excellent

year

1993