Mapletree Audio versus Decware preamps

Nice! I'm in the same boat as you. I've had all big player preamps before and found that no preamp seemed best to me in a simple SET system. Less wire,less coloration,etc. But, now I've come full circle(again)and would like to try a simple tube circuit preamp with no nonsense engineering. I can always take it out for a change of taste.
I'll be interested in your thoughts.

Have you tried a passive with your SET? I am very impressed with the Lightspeed Attenuator (also have tried various TVC, AVC, and Placette)- after a few months of A/B with my Joule Signature Edition, I sold the Joule, which had been my favourite active preamp (after having owned ARC, CAT, Lamm, and Dodd tube linestages). This Mapletree fella, Dr. Peppard, does seem to have alot of knowledge about what is and isn't important for sound quality. At $800 with the Blackgate capacitor upgrade I felt I had to give it a shot. Have not heard anything negative from owners of his products. It seems that alot of audiophiles, as they get older, seek out simpler, a very common pattern.

Pubul57,

Have you received the 2A SE yet? Impressions so far?

nope, not yet the good doctor had eye surgery a few weeks back so things have slowed a bit, expect it later this week or next - getting through canadian customs,

Got it - 8 hours so far. Wow, really a wonderful piece of equipment for $800. Most recently had CAT, Joule, and Lamm active tube stages - I can tell you that if you don't have that kind of money to spend, Dr. Peppard has definitely given audiophiles a gift by offering this well thought out two-box preamp. Does one need better than this? I'm not so sure. Match this up with a Music Reference RM10 MKII ($1,950) and sit back and relax, these (especially the RM10) are both great pieces.