ML 38s or ML 380s or my SFrontiers SL3?

I think you should go for the 380S as it's pretty much a tube sounding solid state preamp. Have you ever read the review from Fi magazine on this 380S? I have a copy and can mail you the review free. The bass will be better, it will be quieter, no tubes to change, It's sound will always remain the same because there's no tubes to deteriorate, and it's midrange and highs are as smooth as butter. E-mail me if you want a copy of the review.

Just so you know, we are talking about the 380S not the 38S. The 380S is in a whole different world and the review tells you that. I haven't heard much better solid state preamps than the 380S and yes I have heard the Klyne and the Threshold and the 380S was way ahead in all sonic areas. Uriah. P.S. Funny how JA from Stereophile is still using his 380S after all these years as his reference.

No John, we are talking about the 380S not the one you don't like which is the 38S. I was just letting Alberto know that the 380S is better than the 38S because it's an upgraded unit with better parts. The 380S is also much better than the Threshold and the Klyne both of which sound to transistory. I do respect both companies but their sound is not as natural sounding when one put's them up against a ML-380S.
As far as the glossy rags go, I have no faith in any of them but they do let me know whats out there and I just read them for fun and mostly for a good laugh. When I first read the review in Fi I went right out to demo the 380S and then I found out that I mostly agreed with the review and of course ended up buying a 380S. I only brought up JA having one because he seems to do a lot of recordings and uses his 380S to monitor them. I would think JA would know even a little if he thinks the sound coming out of his 380S is close to what he hear's at the recording site. By the way I think your BAT preamp is a great one. I've heard it and I think it sounds awesome. Uriah