Prima Luna Premium Pre or Conrad Johnson ET3 SE

"Would a Prima Luna Premium Preamp be an upgrade?"

Anythings possible, but I would say that its not likely to be an upgrade. Unless you have the chance to hear the Prima Luna in your system first, I wouldn't even consider it.

What amp and speakers are you using?

Prima Luna is very nice for the money but I doubt it will better your ET3SE. I have a c-j Classic 2 SE and it sounds incredible driving my Quicksilver amps. Your pre is a Class A component, made in USA, premium parts and build quality, which will be evident when you go to replace the tube. My Classic proved to me that the preamp is the most important electronic component in a system. It blows away my last couple of preaamps , all of which were decent but the c-j was my most pronounced upgrade to date. If you want to "upgrade" change out that 6922EH tube with a Russian 6h23p-eb type 3 from Upscale. I had noise issues with a couple of the stock tubes, replaced with 6h23 and not only is it dead quiet but it sounds much better. That tube is super durable, I use them as drivers in my amps and they seem to last forever

My amps are Cary MB 500 Mono Blocks.

Speakers, Sonus Faber - Elipsa SE.

I am looking for a quiet, good sounding, long lasting tube.

PKelly-

I have heard both items side by side in the same system, same audition. The Prima Luna was a complete system (cd player, pre, power amp) and the CJ ET3 SE was mated w/ the Classic power amp. Speakers were B&W 802. Cables/cords were Audioquest. While the PL gear was not bad at all considering it had its own cd player, to my ears, the CJ was a nice step up in terms of sound quality. Keep me posted & Happy listening!