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Hello. I’ve really enjoyed my time with this preamp. I used it in my main system off and on. The sound is somewhat relaxing and very easy to spend many hours listening to. The bass is tight, deep, and well controlled. Highs are detailed with a slight bit of sweetness. Hard or bright recordings are somewhat easier to listen to. Good recordings shine through. The midrange is what really makes this preamp special. I would describe it as layered and rich. When multiple people are singing in harmony, you can hear individual singers in their space. I haven’t heard of this in any preamp that I’ve owned before. I like that it has two sets of XLR inputs and one set out in addition to the standard RCA connections.. Very flexible in that regard.Check out the link above for some real-world reviews.I have refurbished dozens of pieces of audio gear over the years. This unit is over 20 years old and was due to a new set of capacitors. I replaced all the capacitors with Nichicon low ESR / long life caps. It seemed to gain a bit of life after the upgrade. It sounded a bit sluggish in the bass prior in comparison. It does come with a small remote control that controls Volume Up/Down, Mute and Power/Standby.Overall, the condition is excellent with some of the paint worn off on the top/front corners. Very typical of these units. I have also cleaned all the connectors with DeOxit contact cleaner. I also cleaned the chassis inside and out.I don’t have the original box but will pack it well to survive shipping.
At US$900, the obvious alternative is a newer preamp, but this Proceed PRE sits right at the top of its recent used market rather than being a bargain: the median is US$650, with the upper quartile at US$900. It’s fair only if the capacitor work is properly documented and the unit is fully tested; otherwise, negotiate toward the median.
The PRE remains a particularly appealing minimalist line stage, with excellent tonal accuracy, precise imaging, strong build quality, programmable input-level matching, and a genuinely useful remote. Fresh capacitors can be meaningful on a unit of this age, and having the original remote adds practical value. Before paying the full asking price, confirm which capacitors were replaced, who performed the work, and that every input, output, display function, and remote command operates correctly.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
# Proceed
Proceed was established in 1989 by Madrigal Audio Laboratories as a companion brand to the prestigious Mark Levinson line. Founded by Sanford Berlin, who acquired Mark Levinson in 1984, Madrigal created Proceed as a vehicle for introducing cutting-edge high-end audio technologies at a relatively more accessible price point. The brand operated under the Harman International umbrella and was headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut, drawing on decades of expertise in esoteric audio design and engineering.
Proceed built its reputation across multiple product categories, including CD players, digital transports, DACs, surround-sound processors, and power amplifiers. Early Proceed products—such as the PCD CD player, PDT transport, and PDP DAC—featured distinctive upright industrial design and high-quality component selection. The brand later expanded into multichannel amplification and AV processors, including the acclaimed AVP2+6, CVP2, HPA2, and HPA3 models, which became some of the company's most successful offerings.
Positioned firmly in the high-end audio market, Proceed earned respect among serious audiophiles for build quality, sonic performance, and innovative circuit design. The brand was discontinued in 2003, with its best-performing products subsequently rebranded under the Mark Levinson name. Today, Proceed equipment remains sought after in the vintage and used high-end market, valued for its natural, non-fatiguing sound character and robust engineering that has proven durable across decades.
See all Proceed listings on RADAR.
