Don
I have the QA-113, with second output for a bi amped arrangement. I ordered it in Black Oak, you can see a picture of it in my virtual system. I did very little side by side, and not with any other tube pre amps, but I did compare it to My NAD receiver with pre outs and a Krell HTS 7.1 both in just a 2 channel mode. Well obviously compared to the NAD it kicked butt. Airy and light, much larger and deeper sound stage. Even supplied a more bass punch. Less drastic improvement over the krell (an $8000 processor) but definately the tube sound for the vocals and accoustic did not fatigue like the krell did. QA-113 let me hear parts of the music that were not as clear with the Krell. I did think the krell was the equal when I was trying to listen to some heavier rock (I was using my space tech amps for power in both cases). But I must qualify that my speakers do not rock that great anyway.
You will not go wrong with the QA-113, build quality is great. I am not using the balanced outs at this time, but do plan to upgrade my amps later so I can use them.
I have the QA-113, with second output for a bi amped arrangement. I ordered it in Black Oak, you can see a picture of it in my virtual system. I did very little side by side, and not with any other tube pre amps, but I did compare it to My NAD receiver with pre outs and a Krell HTS 7.1 both in just a 2 channel mode. Well obviously compared to the NAD it kicked butt. Airy and light, much larger and deeper sound stage. Even supplied a more bass punch. Less drastic improvement over the krell (an $8000 processor) but definately the tube sound for the vocals and accoustic did not fatigue like the krell did. QA-113 let me hear parts of the music that were not as clear with the Krell. I did think the krell was the equal when I was trying to listen to some heavier rock (I was using my space tech amps for power in both cases). But I must qualify that my speakers do not rock that great anyway.
You will not go wrong with the QA-113, build quality is great. I am not using the balanced outs at this time, but do plan to upgrade my amps later so I can use them.