I totally agree that the mv 125 would be a great choice, great build,very musical with good muscle. The mv 125 is not an SET and that is what you suggested, though it uses 6650-paired outputs per channel. Again you recommend a product that does not help or answer the question, and even further you recommend a mv 125 which is discontinued so the posters would have to buy used, and without warrantee, and most likely have to replace tubes. Why would you have not recommend the Premier 140 or the LP 70/140 both uses the 6550 and the p 140 uses the 2 pair topology similar to the 125. This would have offered a product that is current that he could get through an authored dealer with a warrantee. You may not like the new CJ line-up, but unless you have had first hand experience with the Totem C/J combo, you are just guessing, even the mv 125 had nothing to do with the exact combo more that you have experienced it with the Maggie mg 3 load, and found it good. I am a huge CJ fan, we have an, ACT2, CT6, and 350 in our factory listening room( along with BAT, Audiopax, Mark Levinson, VPI, SME and Krell) I am well versed in CJ and love there products.
That does not answer the question that was originally posted, which was an opinion of three systems Regardless of price, and just focusing on pure musical enjoyment, which system of the following 3 would you prefer:
You are all over the map with your advice and allude to the fact that there are no experts we are all guessing. That is where I have a problem, if you could not give good advice regarding his question, you should not have posted, that proved you were just guessing and makes the industry look foolish.
I suspect each of us has a preference as to what we like
absolutely but what does that have to do with the original question.
i admit to having a bias toward a "vintage" tube sound
so the only system that you can offer advice on, would be a vintage tube system because you like them?.
"i happen to dislike solid state amplifiers and preamps".
Again , why would you answer a post regarding systems you do not care for, and have no useful input. What does the fact you do not care for the solid-state designs that you have heard so far( or unless you can say you have heard every SS combo available?) have to do with input on the three systems Jh2os inquired about, have you actually heard, tested, experienced, any or all or the exact system mentioned?
"i am not trying to push the sound of tubes,
Are you serious, your reply to Jh2os question was none of them? these are non-tube systems you must admit that answer pushes tubes, at least be honest with yourself.
i am not affected by the sound of a stereo system i don't audition and i don't gain in any way if a tube amp and/or preamp is purchased by anyone.
What does that even mean? The question had nothing to do with a affect of a system on the Tennis, did you think that Jh2os wanted you to personally audition the system he wanted advice on? And they were SS, it would affect you in such a way that it may be detrimental to you personally well-being. I now see the confusion
lenny