Question on tube preamp

Nagra PL-L

Doesn't the Plinius have a balanced input? If so, you can minimize the effects of the cable and the amp will perform better if the preamp is also balanced.

Just keep in mind that not all balanced tube preamps are equal. Some can't drive long interconnects, even though that is one reason you might go balanced. Others can't drive lower impedances often seen in transistor amplifiers (they start to loose bass!). But some can do all these things with no worries.

A fully differential preamp will have no 2nd order harmonic richness that is often associated with tubes. This can allow the preamp to be really neutral, highly detailed, yet also quite relaxed- a very nice combination!

i have listened to a lot of preamps. in general i prefer older preamps, such as the audio research sp 10 and mcintosh c 22 ( old stuff). there is one exception. david berning's latest preamp is a great piece, if you have the bucks.

otherwise, if you want to stay reasonable, look for an older preamp, tubed , of course.

The Plinius amp has a balanced input that I use with the Plinius pre, but the SL tube pre is single-ended only.