Counterpoint SA3000 vs. Audible Illusions Modulus 3A

The M3A is a full tube preamp.  The SA-3000 is a hybrid.  I have owned both.  IMHO, the M3A kicks the crap out of the Counterpoint.  Just my opinion of course...

Had an Counterpoint SA3.1 a few years back; it was ok. Later I went to a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 which was better, then to a ModWright SWL 9.0 SE which smoked them both... not even close. Can’t speak for the AL but I know you get a great phono preamp if it has the gold board. Not sure I’d care for the separate volume controls and aren’t they funny about eating tubes? Read up on the original ModWright for the money.

If you like the Counterpoint sound, with tube rectified power supply, keep your eyes out for the SA-5000.  This makes the Audible Illusions sound like a kiddie toy.