Pre-1

About the Pre-1

The Anthem Pre-1 is a tube preamplifier designed and built by Sonic Frontiers under the Anthem brand. It features an all-tube design with four 6922 tubes (compatible with ECC88/6DJ8 or E188CC/7308 tubes), and includes a built-in phono stage supporting both MM and MC cartridges. The preamp has three high-level inputs, a tape/processor loop, and two sets of main outputs, allowing for bi-wiring or feeding active subwoofers. All inputs and outputs are unbalanced and use high-quality phono connectors. The power supply is external and highly regulated, employing a tube rectifier and multiple voltage regulators for clean and stable operation. The front panel includes knobs for input selection, balance, and volume, plus pushbuttons for tape loop switching, muting, and standby operation. The tube heaters remain on continuously, with a delayed high-voltage turn-on for tube longevity. The Pre-1 is praised for its detailed, warm, and dynamic sound, with a very clean phono stage and excellent build quality. It was originally The unit is well-regarded for its precise volume control, low noise, and musical clarity, making it a favorite among audiophiles who appreciate tube sound and integrated phono capability.