wow! Such great responses! Thank you and keep them coming please!
To: Sebelius, Team 212 and 4musica44107,
Thank you! Shindo sounds fascinating. Having owned the Zanden 5000Sig DAC for 4-5 years now, i really appreciate what the legends (Yamada San, Kondo San and the Shindo family) do for organic, emotive musical sound!
To: Rtn1, Trcnetmsncom and Tom_hankins,
BAT did not occur to me, but i have read great things about the Rex over the years. i will try to find a way to hear it.
Tp: Cerrot, Rocc1007
Thanks and agree about CJ! i have owned CJ for over 10 years now! Did you both mean the ACT 2 Series 2, or the ART 2 (as in the 2nd series of the limited edition Anniversary Reference Triode...which i referred to in my original post as the ART 3...the current 3rd iteration of this legendary pre-amp).
To: Salectric and Ramy
you have each recommended pres which i think you own. I have not heard or come across your preamps before other than reading a little about them.
Ramy - I always understood Einstein to be an extremely transparent, quick and neutral pre. If i am "satisfied" (whatever that means!) with what i have on that score at the moment...but am in search of rich tonal colors, is the Einstein still one you recommend?
Sibelius - i will try to find out more...if you know of a review, blog, or post that you could point me too that would be great!
Thanks to all!
Lloyd