McIntosh 500T is a 2 box tube preamp. The power supply and controls are in one case, and the tube preamplification in the other. Theoretically, the 2 box should sound better. I myself use a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and absolutely love it. I have had 4 other tube preamps (AI Modulus3, AI Modulus 3A, AI Modulus3B, & Rogue RP-5) and the McIntosh blows away all the others in sound Quality.
