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Offered is „Preamp Reference V2 - der Maßstab ! - Hifi + Editors Choice award 2024“ by Music First audio as new device from the category „Pre-Amplifier / Processor“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 6697162796 ends on 26.10.2026 at 06:38 o'clock.
The €10,800 asking price is ambitious, sitting well above the 75th percentile of €9,075 and significantly higher than the median of €7,143 for typical used Music First Reference V2 listings. This represents a premium over the current new UK retail price of roughly €8,600 (converted from £7,200), making it a costly entry unless the condition is pristine and original-owner provenance is absolute.
While the timing is neutral given the Reference V2 remains the current flagship, the product is a worthwhile buy for its exceptional quietness and clean soundstage, achieved through passive transformer architecture that eliminates mains noise. Its six input pairs and dual outputs offer versatile integration, and if this unit includes the original remote and is in mint condition, it justifies the premium for enthusiasts prioritizing the deepest, widest bass and HF clarity. However, without verified original-owner status, the price feels steep compared to fair market values.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Music First Audio traces its roots to 1963, when Stevens & Billington Limited was founded in the UK by Mr. Stevens and Mr. Billington as a specialist audio transformer winding business. Based in Rye, East Sussex, the company supplied custom wire-wound components to professional audio, broadcast, and hi-fi industries, including clients like Beyerdynamic, Quad, and Audio Note. After Stevens departed in 1971, Jonathan Billington—son of the remaining founder—took the helm, eventually rebranding and expanding into full hi-fi products under Music First Audio, leveraging decades of transformer expertise.
The brand specializes in handcrafted transformers at its core, powering a focused lineup of high-end passive preamplifiers, such as the renowned Classic and Mk.II models, which evolved from simple transformer volume controls to feature bi-amping and remote options. Their catalog emphasizes transformer-based amplifiers and related components, all handmade in their Rye Harbour workshop, prioritizing purity in signal path over active circuitry.
Positioned as a niche boutique in the high-end hi-fi market, Music First Audio commands respect among audiophiles for its transparent, detailed sound derived from proprietary transformers. While some critics note premium pricing, its cult following underscores a commitment to uncompromised analog performance, appealing to discerning buyers seeking transformer-driven elegance over mass-market alternatives.
See all Music First Audio listings on RADAR.
