Audio Electronic Supply AES/Cary AE3 MkII preamp

Roblanger,

I'm glad to hear that the AE3 MkII matches well with the SixPacs. I've alway thought they may a great pair of amps.
I love my SuperAmp2.
Did you buy your six packs new or are they a later version? I understand that Cary improved the SixPacs as well with a better driver stage.
How does this combo sound to you?

Roblanger,
I forgot to say that you can buy the Cary soft feet for your your AE3 MkII for $40 from Cary.

I love my AE3 MkII. Had it for a year and a half, running into monoblock Monarchy SM-70's. Still using the stock tubes. No complaints, lots of smiles.

I have an AES AE3 DJH preamplifier, and agree with those who say it's a superior component.

I bought it on the recommendation of my friends The Doctor (Mechans) and Joe (Slipknot1), two of the more discerning audiophiles I know, who both told me that with the Consonance Cyber 800 monoblocks The Doctor was using, the sound was reference level.

In my own systems, the AE3 has proven to possess a good combination of dynamics, punch, gain, and lushness. Pretty much exactly what I wanted out of a tube preamplifier. It proved a fabulous complement to my Atma Sphere M60 monoblocks as well as a few other amps I've paired it with. Reliability has proven excellent as well. The only nits I can come up with are related to the remote, if that is important to you (it's not to me) - the remote does not offer the ability to change inputs and the mute function reduces the sound to a fairly low level, but nothing close to silence. But, again, it's a no-brainer component for those audiophiles who put sonics as their number one priority.

Mjcmt -

I bought my Six Pacs new, have had them since January, so I'm assuming they're the most recent edition. I don't know about any changes that they've made to the driver stage, but mine came stock with 12AX7's and EL-84's. I've since swapped the 12AX7's with 12BZ7's, which definitely add more punch. If someone's linestage is a bit "hot" gain-wise, using a 12AX7 or 12AT7 might help.

I added the Cary soft shoes to the Six Pacs shortly after buying them. I'm thinking about putting a set on the AE-3 or trying vibrapods/cones.

I wouldn't mind trying the DJH version of the AE-3 with the SixPacs, but for now am happy with the MkII.