My experience is with fully modded SF Line2SE+ and then moving to a JC2 which with those amps was all around better. I am not missing the tubes (amazingly) not sure that this helped but might be something to think about....
VTL 5.5 or Aesthetix Calypso
I am considering one of these two preamps to match up with Parasound JC1s and Magnepan 3.5s. Has anyone had a chance to hear the two? I am leaning toward the VTL as it cost less but could spend the extra $$ if the Calypso is that much better.