Warm, rich but detailed SS preamp (made you give up tubes)

If you are truly after the warm, spatial sound of tubes, go McIntosh and be done with it.

Don't go around i circles with the same old brands, Europeans have been working hard and not just on their Cars

Do yourself a favour and listen to AVM from Germany, they have both Solid state and Hybrid. I have the Ovation PA8.2 with Tube output and I've never heard anything so musically satisfying anywhere else. 

I also sell SPL (also German made / coincidence...) Solid State that has amazing harmonic richness and the best 3D imaging I have heard. It's crystal clear, not to be mistaken for lean, it has great controlled tuneful bottom end as well. All SPL gear work on 120VOLTs circuits ! Unique to them.

Going back to AVM and their Proprietary Tube (T803) output. I have not been a tube guy ever before, too many shortcomings for me, but when I heard these from AVM I was blown away. The best of both worlds!!!
They only use tubes on their low level outputs or inputs on some of their amplifiers. They designed their own Tubes because they didn't like the issues that I don't like with tubes. 

Yes I'm a dealer but I'm very hard to please, ask the women in my life - LOL

Great thoughts guys. Any fans of c900u or accuphase?

Another + for Sutherland.  I'm using the N1 preamp and it is stunning.  A true straight wire with gain.  If you can find one you will never look back.  It is full featured and awesome.  Engaging in spades!
Otherwise, if you can live with the compromises, Klyne...as roxy54 so simply stated.

I the highend segment ii went from AR: 40 th Anniversary to Ref 10 with DR tubes to Dan D Agustino Momentum and updated to the HD version.
i my ears it was one step up the lader every time.
the 40 th is quite romantic but  takes many houers to warm up and get somehow transparent. Got rid of it a year after which is about the time i need for having tried all my tweaks on a item.

the Ref 10 is very good but compared to Momentum not quiete enough as well as more technical playing. I ended up with a very good preformance and had it for 3-4 years.

The Momentums are more organic, a little warmer and much more holografic , the HD version expands the soundstage to infinity.
I expirience the Momentuns as more tube like compared to the Ref 10 which only worked well with DR tubes.
The powercord is however Extreme importaint on the Momentums as well as the fuse but i guess it common in this highend level.
i am using my system all i can ( No TV in the house and dedicated lisining room) so tubes like the DR’s actually are rare to find and now i dont think on the running tubemeter.
happy lisining