I once owned the SF SFL-1 and it was a nice piece for the money. Funny you post this because when I had the SFL-1 I dragged it over to my dads system to compare it to his ARC LS3. Guess what? He ended up selling the LS3 and bought a SF Line 1. Now the Line 1 is a better pre of the three and has remote, and six tubes in all.
The LS3 was a great SS preamp in its day -Stereophile A rated I recall. The issue was it was very neutral and on SS amps it could sound a little lean and bright. SS amps at the time weren't anywhere where they are today. On a tube amp is where this pre belongs and I bet it would be nice.
The hybrid SFL-1 was a really nice pre but the single tube does make a difference and with a modern tube it was ok but throw in a NOS tube and it was another story. I really enjoyed mine.
If you're looking for a fat tube sounds it's not that. I bet with your Sunfire amp the SFL-1 will be a more pleasing sound.
A ModWright SWL 9.0 SE will hands down smoke the LS3 and SFL-1 and it has remote. SF Line 1 is another great preamp and it say is more in the league of the SWL 9.0.
Back on topic; if you want to listen for hours buy the SFL-1 and enjoy the music. If you want to analyze the best 20 seconds of a song to compare the difference between this interconnect and that and not enjoy the full song, buy the LS3. The LS3 is a nice pre but I'm not sure I'd throw it on a big SS amp.
Good luck
The LS3 was a great SS preamp in its day -Stereophile A rated I recall. The issue was it was very neutral and on SS amps it could sound a little lean and bright. SS amps at the time weren't anywhere where they are today. On a tube amp is where this pre belongs and I bet it would be nice.
The hybrid SFL-1 was a really nice pre but the single tube does make a difference and with a modern tube it was ok but throw in a NOS tube and it was another story. I really enjoyed mine.
If you're looking for a fat tube sounds it's not that. I bet with your Sunfire amp the SFL-1 will be a more pleasing sound.
A ModWright SWL 9.0 SE will hands down smoke the LS3 and SFL-1 and it has remote. SF Line 1 is another great preamp and it say is more in the league of the SWL 9.0.
Back on topic; if you want to listen for hours buy the SFL-1 and enjoy the music. If you want to analyze the best 20 seconds of a song to compare the difference between this interconnect and that and not enjoy the full song, buy the LS3. The LS3 is a nice pre but I'm not sure I'd throw it on a big SS amp.
Good luck