2 ch tube pre match for Sunfire Cinema Grand

How about the Modwright SWL 9.0SE? I paired it with a Sunfire Cinema Grand driving Aerius i's (Squeezebox > Benchmark DAC as source), and it sounded sweet. I've since upgraded to a Belles 350A Ref driving ML Summits, but kept the Modwright. The Modwright doesn't have XLR outputs, but DOES have Home Theater bypass, and remote. Alternatively, you might consider the Belles tube Pre (I forget the exact model number).

That's funny you say that. I was looking at the SWL. But when running my cdp into the DAC-1 straight to the Sunfire, balanced xlr's out of the DAC-1 sound much, much better than through the Sunfire's SE inputs. The amp was just sent to Sunfire to make sure it's working right. Did you find a difference in XLR or SE inputs on the Sunfire? And if you could, since you have the DAC-1, descibe in a few words what the SWL adds to the sound compared to running the DAC straight to amp, if you ever did that with the sunfire?

Firstly, the default Benchmark XLR outputs have more attenuation than the RCA outputs (at least mine do), so this makes comparison a little difficult. Once volume adjusted, I really didn't appreciate any significant audible difference. XLR should be less noisy on longer cable runs.

What the Modwright Pre added was
1) Taming the "digital glare" on some recordings (since the Benchmark is somewhat cool/analytical sounding direct to amp). No more listening fatigue with extended sessions.
2) Improved imaging and soundstage (not sure WHY it does this, but again, likely from adding tubes to the signal path). This is a lot more apparent with the Summits than it was with the Aerius'.
3) Provides Home Theater bypass so I can feed my DVD player(via a Yamaha RX-V1000) to my front ML's, with the Yamaha driving the surrounds and Sub.

Some argue that the best pre-amp is *NO* pre-amp, but it ultimately depends on your setup, plus room acoustics. If you buy a USED Pre, you're not risking too much to find out.

You can get a used Modwright for ~$1300-1500.

Another option I've considered is trying a tube DAC (or Lavry DA-10), either supposedly a bit warmer/organic sounding than the Benchmark, and which might work better direct to amp.

FYI, since replacing my Sunfire with the Belles 350A Reference (which, BTW, took overall sound to a new level) I hadn't tried the Benchmark direct-to-amp. Your posting piqued my curiosity, so I just gave it a listen... darn good soundstage and imaging, better than I recall with the Benchmark direct to the Sunfire! There is still *some* digital glare/sibilance in older recordings, but not as much as with the Sunfire. I'm still keeping the Modwright, but could be quite happy with the Belles/Benchmark pairing alone.

I actually found that the RCA outs had more attenuation. Don't know if it's the DAC or the Sunfire.

I too find the Benchmark to be a little cool/analytical sounding. It is supposed to be very, very neutral. It doesn't add anything. Actually, I found it takes away stuff. Alot more clarity in the lower mids. It is very highly recommended in the recording world. I have also heard good things about Lavry. Also very high regards in recording studios. One of the top names along with Benchmark. These DAC's are used extensively in mastering studios,also. I'll have to look into how it is configured. I do remember using the jumpers to get better control over the volume. I'll look into that.

By the way, you must really love those Summits.