I considered too much liquid as coloration. That's why I misunderstood Supratek Syrah as a SET power amps.=> SET preamp & SET amp.= too much liquid!? Without auditioning C-J's ART, I was not aggressive to say ART was not neutral enough. Especially stereophile & HP from TAS like ART 2 so much. A passive preamp from EVS or Audio consulting's silver Rock will present you inner details. EVS Nude Attenuator is better than Silver Rock only in terms transparency maybe because reduction of one set of interconnect cable. Silver Rock is better at more consistent dynamic, inner harmonic detail, timeless experience- I don't know if you & your friend have ever had this kind of listening experience.