I've seemed to stay on the tube side of things and you haven't heard the ML2 until you actually do hear them with your own ears. When you do, you will be in for a shock to hear how un-hifi it is, with transparency beyond what I imagined from all the rave reviews. Timing becomes the very essence of the overall musical structure, add that with an ease of delivery and speed.
For me it all started with a preamp first, and then the rest of my system was broken or sounded wrong. Start small if you're not sure at first, get a preamp and experience a taste of what's possible. It's not for everyone (trying to be biased here) but if you like it, it will change the way to listen to music.
My system can play plenty loud, but I enjoy listening at very low levels, because nothing is missing, and it's simply there, why listen loudly?
With all that said, I have not heard the hybrid brotheren.
For me it all started with a preamp first, and then the rest of my system was broken or sounded wrong. Start small if you're not sure at first, get a preamp and experience a taste of what's possible. It's not for everyone (trying to be biased here) but if you like it, it will change the way to listen to music.
My system can play plenty loud, but I enjoy listening at very low levels, because nothing is missing, and it's simply there, why listen loudly?
With all that said, I have not heard the hybrid brotheren.