Wyetech Labs Ruby Std preamp - any views?

Neal the opal is an outstanding preamp, but the ruby STD is so good in dynamics , transparency , and so very very musical I sold my mbl 6010 and bought the ruby from Roger , it's so far ahead of the rest of the PAC it's scary

Neal: what did the upgraded caps bring to the table? And did the factory ido the work? I ask because I too have an Opal. Thank you.

A Wytech Rubt STD just hit Audiogon. No affilitation.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-wyetech-ruby-std-preamp-mint-customer-trade-in-2014-01-08-preamplifiers-06801-bethel-ct

The Teflon caps made an enormous difference. The one criticism I had about the Opal is that it was a bit thin on top, especially on strings. The Teflon caps provided a much smoother, more full - bodied and natural sound. Strings sound quite "sweet" now. It takes 50-100 hours to really hear the full effects, but the improvement is immediately audible.

Roger provided the 4 caps but did not do the removal/installation; I had it done by an excellent shop in Westchester County in NY. Very reasonable; about $230.

I cannot see moving from the Opal now, and if I did it would be for a pre with a remote control as I am getting older and lazier.

Good luck.

Hovland is very mechanical sounding ,compared to the mbl, or wyetech ruby , these 2 preamps are very very liquid ,transparent with enormous soundstage, I had the hovland 200 for 6 months but could only listen to it for 1/2 at a time then fatigue sat I'n ,the ruby and mbl only want you to rediscover more vinyl or cd's