I have owned an Audio Research L 16 Mark II for four years now I originally bought it off of crunch audio always wanted a tube preamplifier now when I first got it it did not sound very good I was new to tubes then I found out why I change the tubes my jaw dropped what a shame I had it put away for 2 years in the closet did not know it had the original tubes in it they were worn out I play my preamplifier through a McIntosh 302 power amplifier going into a set of tannoy Revolution xt8f speakers my sound is incredible my bass is deep and Rich not muddy but very recognizable and these aren't power house speakers for bass I had a Cambridge digital preamplifier it did not have very warm sound this preamplifier is definitely staying in my system and yes you do have to match stereo equipment up it can be different makes but some won't sound as good as others I have the sound I've always wanted with different makes of products it makes my hair stand up on my arms when I listen to David Gilmour playing his electric guitar so I must have done something right it's a damn good preamp I think
