Don Sach's pre amp

Problem with XLR on DS 2 is that the whole chain needs to be balanced, although I am using it with Zu mission XLR  cables and Gungnir DAC, the rest of the chain is single ended,
So I find the SQ  of XLR  for my ears to be  comparable  to RCA's.
 XLR maybe good for long runs or if you have ground loop or hum  but for short runs it is insignificant !

Thanks for the update on Bendix. I'm partial to Tung-Sol but may order one to evaluate. Anyone have a reliable source?

Thanks,
Wig

@a-shah,

I find that Yggdrasil sounds just a bit better through its XLR output. It's not a huge difference, but it is there. So I have ordered my DS 2 line stage with an XLR input. I will compare XLR and RCA in to see how the DS 2 sounds best in the chain.

Of the top of my head, I have these tubes:

Raytheon VT-231 (flat plates with 8 copper rods)
Ken-Rad VT-231 (both black and clear glass)
RCA VT-231 (grey glass)
Sylvania 6SN7W
Sylvania VT-231
Sylvania 6SN7GT (Bad Boys)
Sylvania 6SN7GTA

I have some more that I can't remember. I am on vacation and don't have access to my list.

I have tried the CV 181-z tubes in the past and found most of the above tubes to be better. I ordered a set with the DS 2 and will try them with that line stage.

I have the same selection of NOS to include WGTB and RCA 5692 and in a previous Modwright Sony 5400 CD Player which utilizes 6SN7s, the CV 181-Z walked all over my NOS tubes; not even close...

Wig

Since the website does not list specs, I have a question. Is Don's preamp using cathode-followers for the 6SN7 gain stage?

Also, if this is a single gain stage, is it sensitive to microphonic tubes? I assume you are all testing for low- noise?