Well, at the end of the day the LS2B MKII ran the 17 SE right out of the room. Not even close. Sold to a jerk on eBay who returned it against my wishes at 600 hours and then resold to dealer.
Have always played with tubes... anything 6DJ8, then anything 6922 Cca finally settling on NOS Siemens and Halske 6922 grey plate about 15 years ago. NO such animal around today so on the review of another Audiogoner I purchased 2 Volstead Rockets and 2 Reflector 6N23P's. I felt my 6922 Siemens 1959 Cca Grey Plate was getting too long in the tooth (read: weak) I decided to finally try the Russian. It was a bit screamy at the interview but it seemed to paint colors on blank canvas so I decided to break it in. Screamy gone by hour 2, MONSTER base, delicate highs and great detail. I may own this pre forever.
Have always played with tubes... anything 6DJ8, then anything 6922 Cca finally settling on NOS Siemens and Halske 6922 grey plate about 15 years ago. NO such animal around today so on the review of another Audiogoner I purchased 2 Volstead Rockets and 2 Reflector 6N23P's. I felt my 6922 Siemens 1959 Cca Grey Plate was getting too long in the tooth (read: weak) I decided to finally try the Russian. It was a bit screamy at the interview but it seemed to paint colors on blank canvas so I decided to break it in. Screamy gone by hour 2, MONSTER base, delicate highs and great detail. I may own this pre forever.