Aric Audio Systems Unlimited Preamp

Great review. Sounds like an awesome piece of audio gear.
Regarding the Motherlode preamp, given its “cost no object” design premise, my only suggestion is if a more sophisticated source selector option could be explored. I don’t know how much it may add to the cost or the design complexity but something like a relay actuated input selector would definitely make this preamp a world class contender. 

Thanks! As far as relay-activated- that wouldn't be prudent to the design as it goes against the "completely hand-wired" and no solid state components in the signal path. Generally a relay is "PCB architecture". This has a manual switch, and the volume control is manual as well. A digital preamp, I could see a relay input selector on. 

Thank you Aric for the explanation. I figured there was a good reason for avoiding such complexity otherwise you would have considered it in your design.  

While the Transcend and Special SE's have enough guts to drive most speakers (even my older 89 db 1W efficient speakers), I'm still thinking that careful design of a single-chassis push-pull amp that has less to the signal path can be the answer to lower sensitivity speakers. I'm working out a couple of proto-types currently, and so far- the results are very good! I've got a set of KT88's being driven from a LTP 6SN7 with a single 6SN7 gain stage in front of it. Listening has been on-going for about 10 hours now and I'm so far not wanting to change a thing! Best, Aric

Just an update. Further testing of the new push-pull amplifier using some pretty inexpensive Electro-Harmonix KT-88's has been very positive! This new circuit is producing the best of both worlds- the smooth, cohesive realism of a single-ended, and the additional power and "slam factor" of a push pull. Less is more in this design, and I'll be working on the second draft of the prototype next week. 
Aric