I've never heard an Esoteric preamp, so I cannot comment.
I do recall owning a Mark Levinson 38S for about a month.
I did not care for it at all, sold it as quick as I could.
That was probably about 12 years ago though, and I never had the desire to buy another ML product.
Could have just been a synergy issue, as ML does have it's fans, just like any other brand.
Personally, I can live with a SS amp, but I need a tube preamp.
If you want SS, look for a Klyne 7 series preamp.
Rare and hard to find, but the best SS preamp I've ever heard, and that includes brands like Rowland, ML, Krell, etc..
I do recall owning a Mark Levinson 38S for about a month.
I did not care for it at all, sold it as quick as I could.
That was probably about 12 years ago though, and I never had the desire to buy another ML product.
Could have just been a synergy issue, as ML does have it's fans, just like any other brand.
Personally, I can live with a SS amp, but I need a tube preamp.
If you want SS, look for a Klyne 7 series preamp.
Rare and hard to find, but the best SS preamp I've ever heard, and that includes brands like Rowland, ML, Krell, etc..