Simaudio Moon 740P preamp vs. Ayre KX-5 Twenty

In fact even after selling the amp and the DAC he kept the preamp for quite a while before going back to a tube preamp. Or quite a while for him anyway. 

What would your recommendation have been @david_ten ? I have not bought the Preamp yet

I would have suggested a system level approach vs a component based one. Thinking holistically of your preamp and amp choice, together as one, even a 'trio' of 'one' inclusive of the DAC vs. approaching it a component at a time. 

It's something I'm tussling with: that is how to approach our hobby vis a vis choices / changes to my system in the future. 

Got it @david_ten ... I often think the same.... going Integrated from the start would have been wise before I am deep in this rabbit hole. Something like Gryphon Diablo and such. Too late now

I went to a Simaudio dealer today. Listened to 740P and a bunch of other Moon gear. Impressive! Although I realize it’s impossible to evaluate a Preamp given it being hooked up to unfamiliar gear and speakers. But it looked handsome and very nicely built. They did have it connected to a monstereous Moon power supply