In recommended componends and have had some great equipment
I have found having an active Linestage preamplifier dynamics and imaging
Especially complex orchestra dound more real especially Vacuum tube.
Recently I did something totally different .since I have owned single ended amplifiers and wanted to see what was all the fuss .I can say by keeping things
Very simple in one gain stage the sonic purity is second to none.after yhst experience I had a very gifted Electronics designer build me a DHT preamplifier Single ended -Direct Heated Triode Preamplifier completely transformer based
Including the Audio output section.the only capacitors are 2 Big poly oil caps and
Copper bypass caps . Using 6 Lundahl transformers and chokes.
Using the WE 274 rectifier tube, WE 101D aufio tube ,as well as a choice to use the 26 tube.these are far more linear then a 12ax7,or 6sn7 indirect heated tube.
These tubes run very cool and the magic is incredible . The transformers Make a huge step up in sonics accuracy and dynamics and Bass using a 300b
Or 2-3 does also work but it is a power tube first and a waste of heat to achieve the same goal. If this were commercials sold it would be at least $1 3k
I have yet to find a another passive or active preamp that is built this well with all premium parts including all Neotech Single Crystal wire used throughout
Including their best Silver Gold Alloy signal wire. The famous Coincidence DHT
101D preamplifier uses solid state rectification and capacitor coupled.
Which is very good but a solid step below rectifier, Transformer coupled unit.
Once you experience a top DHT model done correctly ,9 out of 10 would want one if they can justify the price.