Help me find a pre-amp

bgross,

I am sure that the Aesthetix is a great preamp, but I couldn't consider everything....I'm guessing there are a dozens of really good preamps, something for everyone.

I’d be very interested in how the high value tube preamps mentioned above which are also on my short list compare with something like the Holo Serene KTE at $3100. The assumption is that the Serene would lack tube magic.  I get that but based on some of the very positive reviews that are out there it may still be worth considering.  It seems only a very few have been able to do this comparison.

I found myself in a very similar predicament... Huge fan of both Rush and Van Halen, as well. An even bigger fan of Stuart Jones' T-7s. But it seemed with my current set up, which is powered by a PrimaLuna integrated, liked to reproduce more intimate music such as jazz combos, classical quintets, etc. with very satisfying detail. Every so often, though, I need to rock! And the PL wasn't getting me there... low dynamics on great songs such as 'Barchetta' won't do. John, at The Audio Connection in Seattle, recommended a modded Cary SLI-80 integrated would give me the dynamics, smoothness, AND detail I was looking for - he sent me home with a loaner(as I live locally). I didn't want to give it back! It'll be the next upgrade to my system and I'm in good hands as John has never steered my wrong. Fwiw, I got to meet Stuart, who sadly passed away last year, and at the time he recommended a Cary tubed pre-amp to go with the Rogue Dragon as his recommended components for my eclectic tastes. Good luck on your search and call the Audio Connection, John's a great fountain of knowledge.

Well Snowdog, we have these people in common.  I bought nearly all of my gear from John & I pop in to see him when I’m up in SEA.  Stuart picked up my T7s from SoCal and upgraded them in his workshop.  So you understand these are unique loudspeakers for everything I have into them and how sonically excellent they are for the $$.

John indeed recommended the same gear to me, but I would like to hear it first.  He has nothing to demo.

BTW, I’ve kind of dismissed Cary bc -rightly or wrongly, I assume a lot of my $$ would be going into phono stage related build. I’ll never see ROI from that.