No and yes.
Relied on my dealer and a few others I trust who believe that a preamp of good quality yields better sound. I am not seeking to add fuel to that debate. i believe the volume control and buffering in my ARC 5 SE would qualify as good.
They also did not stock or demo the feature. dealers I screened all four DACs prior to home trials were: Sunnys ARC, Audio Alternative Aesthetix, ARC, Nuts about Hi Fi Aesthetix. borrowed a MSB from a bud. DSC and ARC at Optimal enchantment. The VC is a relatively inexpensive option on the Pandora at $1K. But again nobody seemed high on it. Some downright against it.
Tube rolling yes. i spoke w Glen at Aesthetix and he recommended Andy at Antique Tube Services. rolled in some small motorola RCA and Bugle Boys.
I also have some cryo treated Russian Rockets that are very nice.
