Upgrade from Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE

consider this, most budget tube persons have severely compromised power supplies, and even some of the highly praised persons can lack transparency. some years back I had a Bat Rex an founded it to be overly dark and needlessly opaque. one solution for you may be to keep your W4S Unit and look into a tuned interconnect to go from the output of the pre into your amps. I had the Audio Magic unit way back, but I think their are others out their now. Audio Magic may be willing to build a unit for you. it really works and you keep all the magic of that unit you own.

if you must go tubes I humbly suggest First Sound, you will not look back :)

I wrote "budget tube preamps" and stupid auto-correct decided it knew better. Replace "person" with "preamp" where applicable. sorry ;)
Also "tuned interconnect" should have been "tubed interconnect".

@Audiofun: Thank you for your suggestions. Can you elaborate on what you mean by 'tuned interconnects'? One that makes up for some of the midrange that I think I'm missing? Also, I'm a bit surprised about your comments about the REX preamp...That is a highly praised unit, although I've read some comments about some of BAT's pre's as sounding a bit dark.

Out of curiosity have you had a chance to evaluate and of ARC's offerings?

Black528:
I meant to write "tubed-interconnect" and yes it is exactly what it sounds like. The interconnect goes to a box which will have typically a couple of small triodes in the path. Exiting the box will be another set of interconnects. This will sit (typically) between your preamp and amplifier and can offer you some of that "tube-magic" you may desire.

Concerning the Rex.., high praise notwithstanding, it is dark and opaque sounding. It covers EVERYTHING with a layer of warm caramel. If you like that.., then :)

You will find that MANY MANY things are HIGHLY praised by magazines and individuals alike. My humble suggestion is LISTEN for yourself, most of the items; be it dacs, amps, preamps..etc are nothing to speak of. I have heard a very very very famous speaker which cost over USD $140K (again owned by a family member) and though it was praised to death by the magazines (which the company "coincidently" advertised in) sounded like a giant "HI-FI" speaker to me. Not real sounding, not relaxing, just SUPER detailed and annoying LOL!!!

You have to hunt and find the products which offer real sound.

The only ARC pre which I have heard and liked is the 2 box 40th Anniversary unit. My unc bought one and I set it up for him. VERY dynamic and fast. I personally think he should have kept it...but his dime :) Most other ARC gear can sound "white-ish" to my ears.., a bit bleached out. Except for a set of Ref 300's I heard over 13 years ago. I recall liking the way they sounded very much.

Black528:

See:
http://www.soundstage.com/rise17.htm