Help in deciding which tube preamp to replace my old SFL-2

Sounds to me that we share a common aesthetic for sound. I own a Koetsu Rosewood Signature which has a very musical character. I owned a Sonic Frontiers tubed CD player for many years and use a great tube amp. You can see my current system under my ID. I definitely recommend listening very carefully… or looking if listening is not possible to the Audio Research REF5SE. I had one for many years and loved it. I upgraded to the REF6SE, not because I felt I needed to, but I was upgraded my amp and DAC… and it just seemed appropriate.

One thing I really noticed was the synergy I got between ARC equipment… each additional piece got more than the individual piece would have predicted… while this may or may not be technically true, this is my way of looking at all ARC synergy. To a lessor extent you get this with all tube gear.

Assume three components made by different companies. The first a tad weak in the treble, the second a bit lean in the midrange, and the third a bit weak in the bass. String them together… you get subtraction… once lost, some of the signal cannot be regenerated. Overly simplified, but this is the way I think about choosing a system… any component of different character and you loose… cables also.

When I put in the final piece of my All ARC system… well, it was one of those jaw dropping moments.

it would be great to see your system. Sounds like a great one.

The new McIntosh C2700 has totally impressed me with the sound and all its features. Easily one of the better deals in hi end audio. Not your older MAC sound its very neutral and clean sounding. The phono stages (one MM and one MC ) in it are quite nice and very quiet specially considering its all tube (I had 105db speakers on it for a while). I also run a koestsu Black gold line as well as some nice MI carts and the phono stage has not let me down yet. I replaced my dedicated outboard phono stage as the one in the MAC was better and more flexible with loading options. Its on par with my friends Allnic H-1202. 

Recommend you have a closer look and listen. 

Thank you. Thank you for the recommendation of the AR Ref 5SE, I have heard and read many great things about it. If found, I might even jump up to the Ref Anniversary Edition. Yes, ultimately I may go the one manufacturer route. All AR, all CJ, or all Asthetix would be possible. I couldn't agree more regarding cables. Ten or so years ago I demo's many different cables. I let my wife be the judge as I had not told her what any of them cost. I was amazed by her comments such as what did you do, the sound is dull, or what did you do, I've never heard those details in that song before. I knew the prices and felt that I may be swayed in my decision. 

As much as I like and respect Mac gear, I found that it did not play very well with others. I would have to go totally Mac, and I don't want to go that route. That's why I have selected the preamps that I listed. I do appreciate the suggestion though..

op - why do you feel it’s time to replace the sf line 2? maybe just send it back to chris j have him check it out retube it?

cj is not balanced (as superb as they are), won’t be able to use balanced out from phono stage

arc ref series excellent, not sure it will significantly outperform a well dialed in sonic frontiers with excellent tubes in place

suggest you don’t fix what isn’t broken, your system is excellent as it is