upgrade from Sonic Frontiers Line 1 to 3 SE+ ?

As time marches on, so do circuit designs. The Line 3 is still a venerable design, still supported and still world class. I did move on to an MBL 6010D and for a lot more $$$ I did get a preamp that had more synergy with my Spectron amps and probably a lower noise floor. But in absolute terms the Line 3 is still one of the better tubed preamps out there for "straightwire" gain with good flexibility, low noise and the ability to roll tubes to change tone ever so slightly.

What about the digital volume control? I heard the ICs go out and are not replaceable then the preamp is done. I heard allot of those are now failing, as they are nearing the end of their usefull life.

I have a SF preamp and it had a nasty habit of going to full volume in one channel- exciting, but not for me.

01-06-10: 6550c
What about the digital volume control? I heard the ICs go out and are not replaceable then the preamp is done. I heard allot of those are now failing, as they are nearing the end of their usefull life.

There is a digital volume control IC upgrade/replacement offered by Chris Johnson at Parts Connexion(official SF repair/mod house). The IC upgrade has been available for at least a few years now and supposedly provides a significant improvement in sound.