I have owned both the Five and the Five linestage, excellent preamps reagrdless of the system they find themselves front-ending. I have also owned the DR-6 and the Six, and I am awaiting the arrival of yet another Six this evening.
I have tried so many preamps in my system over the years, I am returning to the Six because I can't find another pre that presents the music in such an organic fashion. The Five is not that far behind the Six in any respect, I find the one area of any significant difference is in the image developed by the Six vs the Five.
With respect to age, the Five is a solid state pre, meant for a lifetime of enjoyment - buy one, send it to Classe for a full check up, and enjoy it for the next ten years.
Good luck!
I have tried so many preamps in my system over the years, I am returning to the Six because I can't find another pre that presents the music in such an organic fashion. The Five is not that far behind the Six in any respect, I find the one area of any significant difference is in the image developed by the Six vs the Five.
With respect to age, the Five is a solid state pre, meant for a lifetime of enjoyment - buy one, send it to Classe for a full check up, and enjoy it for the next ten years.
Good luck!