Replacing Sonic Frontiers Line 3 SE

Keis, I have heard similar feedbacks on BAT VK51SE and Aesthetic.

Since I posted this thread, I ordered some 6GH8 to replaced my worn pair. I experimented with different 6922 and made no significant difference in dynamic, but putting in a pair NOS Zenith 6GH8 and dynamic jumped back to life. Bass, micro dynamic, and detail all improved with the new tubes, wondering what other NOS 6GH8 I should experiment with.

But right after the tube change my Line 3 SE developed the famous volume control failure. According to SFI, it's the simple optical encoder that failed and should be easy to replace. Has anyone done this himself?

Ayre, that's a big surprise. I know V-1X is great, but never would have thought K-1X can beat a world class tube pre.

Another pre I am considering is Nagra, but that has no XLR in/out.

I also have a Line 3 which was factory modded when I ordered it new almost 5 years ago, it is essentially an SE too and I could not think of anything I would replace it with which could do all it does sonically AND boast its features. I wish you luck and will be following this thread, please keep us updated. I've personally been intrigued by the Wyetech but it's $$$ and won't compare with features. Regards.

Have you considered the Aesthetix Calypso preamp? I believe it has both unbalanced and balanced inputs. Other preamps with both kinds of inputs include:
* Atma-Sphere MP-1 and Mp-3
* Audio Research LS-25 MKII
* BAT gear
* EAR 864 (has 1 XLR input I believe)
* Pathos InControl (but I think it only has 1 XLR input)

Personally I like my First Sound preamp but it doesn't have the balanced inputs you seek . . .