@charles1dad - "So I admit the contradiction in preferring the inclusion of a high quality tube preamplifier. Despite adding active circuitry to the pathway, they just give more than they remove in my listening experiences. "
+1. Totally agree.
"I know what you mean by supporting local musicians. Each time I attend a performance I'd like to believe that the money spent contributes to their continued survival. I have such enormous admiration for their talent and mastery of their respective instruments. Also to be truthful it evokes the "man wish I could play like that" response every time 😊. At the core of it all I'm just a music loving guy. "
Exactly!