@nightfall While I can’t speak to how its sonics would compare to those of the LM-518ia, an approach that you may want to consider would be the combination of a Music Reference RM-10 MkII power amplifier, purchased used, with a relatively inexpensive passive preamp. The RM-10 MkII, designed by the very accomplished and well regarded designer Roger Modjeski, utilizes a push-pull pair of the highly respected but low powered 6BQ5/EL84 tube, in a cleverly designed circuit providing 35 watts per channel (significantly more than the power capability of any other EL84 amp I am aware of), while consuming a total of only 70 watts at idle. And its 100K input impedance and 0.95 volt sensitivity make it well suited for use with a passive preamp.
One of these amps has just appeared for sale here. It is stated to have been purchased new only 9 months ago, and has an asking price of $2950. (The list price for a new RM-10MkII is indicated at the manufacturer’s website as $5K):
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis92fh8-music-reference-rm-10-mkii-tubeLinks to the manufacturer’s pages on this amp:
http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/rm10mk2.htmlhttp://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/rm10design.htmlOn another note,
@facten , as a fellow owner of Daedalus speakers I certainly second Charles’ praise of your outstanding system :-)
Regards,
-- Al