Want to upgrade my Sonic Frontiers Line2

Jwest; A harsh comment about Redkiwi. IMO he is a gentleman and is highly knowledgeable about audio components. Did you know that he has been involved in several audio ventures including manufacturing and marketing of a tube pre-amp? (see his post on Who R U). Do you have that kind of knowledge/experience? He also gave me a lot of help when I put in a dedicated AC and ground system, and I consider him a friend. However Redkiwi, I don't agree with your above statement that the SF Line 2 is "sterile" (we need system context, or something, for that kind of condemning statement). I have used this pre-amp for 2+ years and consider it very neutral. Some say it is a bit lean or dry, and I can see that in some systems, but in MY system with the Line 2, music is timbrally rich and involving. Note: I have a McCormack DNA-2DX amp (read sweet) and Vandersteen 3Asig. spkrs. (read warm and forgiving). In a system that already tends toward lean or analytical the Line 2 would not be a good choice IMHO. Cheers. Craig.

I agree with Redkiwi. Try the Placette. It was the best pre-amp I've ever owned. It's very transparent, and hard to beat for the money. It will let any deficiencies in your system shine through, though. I like transparency in a pre-amp, and then get warmth, bloom, or whatever else you're lacking from other components in the chain. It's industrial looking, but you have a 30 day free trial period if you don't like it.

I am currently using a line 3 in my system. If you don't like the line 2 then you probably won't like the line 3. Perhaps you should try changing the tubes in the line 2. I would recommend calling Sonic Frontiers. When I talked to them last, they mentioned that they stock other tubes besides the Sovteks. These other tubes supposedly don't sound as neutral as the Sovteks. I like the stock neutral sound so I did not try this.