The new Audible Illusions L-2, an improvement?

You bet! I received my L-2 on Christmas day (no, it wasn't given to me that day, it arrived by Fedex!)
Right out of the box, this preamp had a special quality to it. It sounds so right.
I have used many preamps over the years. I was using a Audible Illusions L-1 and I have owned 2 M3A's over the years. I must state without reservation that this is the most neutral and well balanced preamp to come from this company.
After a 100hr run-in, I have found this unit to sound dynamic, transparent and imaging is amazing. It is definitely a giant step over the L-1 and M3A in my opinion. Sound comes from a silent background, dynamics are natural without jumping at you, imaging is pin point and the frequency extremes are more extended. There is an overall ease to the way this unit presents sound. Nothing is forced and it does loud better than AI's previous units. The soundsatge has proper height, depth and extends well beyond the boundaries when the recording allows.
If I was going to design a preamp that would satisfy my particular desires, this would have been it.
On a technical note, this unit features dual outputs, home theater pass through and a myriad of inputs on a well laid out back panel. The dual attenuators are stepped and the volume control is now powered with a remote. It is the best setup I have encountered to date. The remote allows for precice adjustment. It rotates slowly with NO over or undershoot. Couldn't ask for more. My compliments to Art Ferris on this design.
All controls are backlit with a faded blue light(more of a glow actually) and it has a red LED that is activated when the unit is in standby or warming up. Once the unit is up and running, the red light goes out and is replaced with a blue LED.
The unit looks AI all the way (it looks similiar to the older L-1.) But, it is as up to date and any preamp out there.
I must thank Art Ferris publicly for getting this preamp to me. He said I would have it before Christmas and I did (even after Fedex held it up for a day) I have talked to him on numerous occasions and he is a very approachable gentleman. I can't ask for more. He kept me informed of the preamps progress during manufacture and the numerous upgrades he has installed in this very fine preamp. I really think Audible Illusions has another winner on their hands.
My system:
Vandersteen 3A Signatures
Pair of 2Wq's (crossed over using the Model 5 filters- the way to go in my opinion)
Belles 350a power amp
Audible Illusions L-2
Sony Xa777es Cd/Sacd player
Harmonic Technology Prosilway II's
Biwire Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables(true bi-wire-4 cables)
Richard Grey power conditioners