Help build my new system

No, when the dealer brought in the Shigaraki stuff for the openhouse, he brought in these tiny little 47 labs single driver mini-monitors, I was not impressed at all with these things and very disappointed that they had not sent the Konus Essence speakers instead. The sound was quite unimpressive at this point, but you could tell it was the speakers holding things back, then when he switched in some Neat speakers things were much nicer.

As far as the preamps being a smart idea, I don't know could be blowing smoke out of my ***. I don't think there is anything in the design that would make it difficult to match up with good synergistic preamps, and I beleive the volume control is very easy to set at zero gain.
Constatine Soo on his website Dagogo reviewed the Gaincard S and in addition to running it straight he also matched it up with the Audio Note M3 with reported great success.
quote -
"In terms of fidelity, the $4,000 25 Wpc 47 Lab Gaincard S is just as worthy an amplifier to the AN M3 as its own $4,000, 9 Wpc Quest 300B monoblocks, and I have yet to hear a preamplifier/amplifier combination at $4,000 possessing
comparable finesse."

There is also a system listed on Audio Asylum where the owner is using the Gaincard with the Shindo Labs Monbrisson preamp, the Monbrisson is out of your price range but the entry level Aurieges at $3800 could be a possibility.

I know Shindo is at High Water Sound in NY, and I would have to imagine Audio Note could be found somewhere in the city. The other preamps that I threw out are probably more alike than different compared to the Shindo or Audio Note stuff. So if you do decide to go the route of 47 labs stuff you could always jsut pick-up the Gaincard first, see how it works as your preamp, and then if you feel the need, take it out on the town and start pairing it up with various preamps and see what you find out. It's not like the Gaincard isn't easy to transport.

Good luck in your search.
Also in case you don't know, Carolina Audio offers a speaker called the JTM that is very close to the Konus Essence and more people own or have experience with that speaker compared to the Konus, so doing some research on the forums for the JTM can probably help give you a better idea of the Konus' performance.

I really like the 47 labs gear. You should check out High Water Sound 274 water st. No i do not work fo them or have any biastoward them, but jeff is a great guy who has helped me out many a time. My name is Matt van lunen, and those are my 2 cents

Thanks. i'll go for a demo. glad to know there's a place in nyc.

I second the choice of 47 Labs gear. I myself am the proud owner of both the Shigaraki integrated and also the Shigaraki transport. I have not tried the Gaincard but I am intrigued by it. I have been following your system developments and choices around Kublakhan and I believe that what you will find in the 47 Labs gear will more than make up for your former Counterpoint hybrid amplification. The speaker choice is different. I have tried the Shigaraki with the older Epos ES11s, two ways, and they sound really rhythmic....Furthermore, I have also driven them with a pair of horn loaded speakers, Fostex fullrange in a pair of low end Zhorn cabinets and they also drove the pair to satisfaction. One think to notice is that there is a difference between the Shigaraki and the Gaincard, the Shigaraki being a little more mellow while the Gaincard is more neutral. Other speakers that I think will give you the palpitations with the 47 Labs gear would be the new Harbeths, the 7s, a pairing that I believe will be a match made in heaven.

There is no better auditioning than doing it in your own place, thus if you are patience, I would think that it would be a worthwhile idea to get yourself an used Gaincard and then, take it around to the dealers that have the speakers that catch your interest. If you do not like the Gaincard, you can always sell it back without much hassle or loss.

Another thing to note, the 47 Labs switchbox is not a biggie, I myself have a Final Laboratories Music 5 battery powered preamp and have never found myself using all 3 inputs to their fullest extent. Most of the time you will use only one input...and the Gaincard is a great piece that is minimal.

PS: With the Shigaraki, you do not need a switchbox, it already has 3 input connections. I have two systems set up, one a Shigaraki with Epos ES11 and another system with the Fostex and the Final Music 5 and 6 battery powered amplifiers.