The L-1 and 3A are not identical -- the 3A is dual mono and features dual volume controls.
I hear you about grain in lesser quality SS preamps. That said, you may want to consider adding the Audio Research LS-3 SS amp to your list. Available for $600-$700 used, I have owned one for nine years and it definitely holds its own against the much more costly preamps that have succeeded it in my main system (I use the LS-3 in my second system). It does everything very well (grain-free, very musical, dynamic, extended, transparent and well-built) and retailed for $1,700 when released in 1995.
I have no experience with the Marsh. The L-1 is a very nice preamp for the money (about equal to my LS-3 in overall value -- a touch more bloom and less extended at the frequency extremes in comparison).
Good luck.
I hear you about grain in lesser quality SS preamps. That said, you may want to consider adding the Audio Research LS-3 SS amp to your list. Available for $600-$700 used, I have owned one for nine years and it definitely holds its own against the much more costly preamps that have succeeded it in my main system (I use the LS-3 in my second system). It does everything very well (grain-free, very musical, dynamic, extended, transparent and well-built) and retailed for $1,700 when released in 1995.
I have no experience with the Marsh. The L-1 is a very nice preamp for the money (about equal to my LS-3 in overall value -- a touch more bloom and less extended at the frequency extremes in comparison).
Good luck.