Music Reference RM9 and Preamp Experiences

Pubul57, the other day, a friend brought an RM9 to my house, I'also have Joulet Electra 150MK11se, and merlins vsm mme, and wasn't a good match, had gain problems,
had to turn my preamp, around 4oclock" to get decent sound,
and the noise floor was horrible, we try both settings,
low-Hi, and still had same problem, at normal levels, sounded very sweet and holographic with the EL34s
but had to shot it off, and go back to my QS,V4, mono amps,
have you experience same problem with your set up?

probably so, the amp was pretty beat up, and highly modded. was been sold to me dirt cheap, $800,
had pass on amp, coudn't take the chance of that preamp,
blowing up my amps,or preamp,
was courious about it, because, heard it sounds really good with the merlins,
my digital source, acustic arts transport, Kora Hermes DAC,
finally got the merlins singing, with all cardas GR cables,
was very frustrated with speakers lack of bass, and soundstage, almost ran them though a wood chipper,
but now they, sound incredible, very spooky immaging and coherent, droved my patience to the limits, but finally pay off.

Cheers: