PLEASE match Advice Pass Labs X350.5 (20k) to Hovland HP-100 (2500ohms) Miss-match ???

Hmm, you bought the BAT VK-32SE because you complained that the S5's were too bright. I warned you just how warm the VK-32SE was.
I'll also tell you that Kubala-Sosna Emotion cables will be warm sounding, possibly even warmer than the Cardas Clear Reflection.
I understand that you may fear too revealing cables like Nordost, but with K-S, you went the other way, IMHO.

As for a more neutral preamp, of the SS preamps you mention, the Ayre K-1xe would probably offer the most resolution.
If looking for another tube unit, look for a VAC or ARC preamp, both offer higher resolution than BAT.

Let these items settle in before making a final judgement. For instance, even though the Emotion cables may be warmer sounding, you may like them once you get a more resolving preamp.

One change at a time works best for me.
Too many changes at once can lead to mass confusion.

Lol... i remember that - you totally called that - the BAT for sure and I took note of your comment as I do with all you guys.

I appreciate and respect the feedback you guys give me.

I am so much more better informed as an Aphile because of this site and you guys.

Im getting there but I don’t regret the move either as I have with so many others because I’ve made and I had to do it and hear it for my meself / i had this idea of what a good, warm tube preamp would be and now know what it is in my system.

With my old Speakers the BAT would have been the perfect match so it’s always so system dependent.

I agree on the too many changes too quickly also but there are reasons on each of these which I’m fine with - i needed to try the tubepreamp and the cable change wasn’t anything I was looking to do it just happened organically.

I think i mentioned before on many components i let them come to me.

What I mean is the Kubala Emotion SC’s were what I really wanted and looked for weeks before I finally pulled the trigger on the Cardas Clear Reflections because that old HiDiamond match were so bright and brutal it had me not even want to listen to my system.

Since them I’ve also learned that break in had a lot to do with the brightness also so a more patient take by me would have helped but we are who we are as people and the best we can hope to do is learn and evolve from mistakes.

So needless to say I woke up in the am and came across a great deal on a used pair of Kubula-Sosna Emotion 2.5m Speaker Cables and I jumped.

I was looking all over for these and when they came up i needed to jump and make the move.

If not they would be gone so my buying used at my target of area of paying 40% to 45% of original MSRP sort of dictates the timeline on many of these decisions because they will be gone. I’ve leaned this the hard so many times. I wanted them. I’ve always thought good Speaker Cables are VERY important. The most important cable IMO. 

i actually heard the Emotion SC’s and IC’s at Goodwin’s Audio a few months back on Magico’s and loved them and had them as a target since then but just couldn’t find any used anywhere and way way too much money new! It’s not that I’m cheap (although if I sort of am :) ) it’s just i could never afford excellent cables at their totally nuts new cable pricing. Heck even the Used prices are nuts in the eyes of regular people in the rest of the world... 😂 

My wife was like how much does that strip of wire cost? I said they are not wires they are cables and she looks at me like I’m nuts 🥜 

When i heard them at Goodwins they were with Constalation gear which is super expensive but I feel in love the Kubala Cables so I hope i like them.

I liked the Cardas Clear Reflection SC and the change had more to do with what I described above.

He Reflections are basically Cardas Golden Reference with the cold forged spikes from the Clears.

The Golden Reference is a beloved Cable that many people still love but the Golden Reference was a very warm and rich euphoric Cable.

I was thinking and am still hoping the Emotions are in comparison the Reflections are a bit more neutral and transparent than the Cardas cables. I needed and still want to have that musicality. I think Magico work better with this type of cable but the change was hoping to move me a smidge back to the middle of the spectrum.

I value your opinion you were dead on with call on the BAT!

Do you really think they might be warmer than the Cardas? Man everyone speaks so highly of the emotions and if warmer than the Cardas that would make them really warm and just didn’t think a cable that rich and warm would be so highly thought of but would love for you to expand a bit. 

If this is the case maybe I go with a cooler IC???

I was thinking about trying to match and go with Kubala Sosna Emotion IC which i heard we’re great but the overly warm has me quite open minded. That kind of goes against my new 3 layer approach of Transparency, musicality and neutrality that is my goal in this order.

as always thank so much :)

I just started a thread asking about these 2-preamps but you guys have been with me on my system re-fit and wanted to see if any of you guys had feedback on these preamps:

Esoteric C03 preamp or Mark Levinson 326S preamp

ANY FEEDBACK - THOUGHTS - IDEAS would be so appreciated.

I've never heard an Esoteric preamp, so I cannot comment.
I do recall owning a Mark Levinson 38S for about a month.
I did not care for it at all, sold it as quick as I could.
That was probably about 12 years ago though, and I never had the desire to buy another ML product.
Could have just been a synergy issue, as ML does have it's fans, just like any other brand.

Personally, I can live with a SS amp, but I need a tube preamp.
If you want SS, look for a Klyne 7 series preamp.
Rare and hard to find, but the best SS preamp I've ever heard, and that includes brands like Rowland, ML, Krell, etc..

Thanks so much! Yes I’ve heard Levinson can be a bit polite, closed in and dark and that is exact opposite of what I want but was thinking this is a more modern take and the reviews - although must be taking with grain of salt say it’s super transparent with great bass which is what I want.

Both pres are the same money and the ML might be worth a few much bucks resale wise but just not sure and prefer to not to have to flip another pre after a week hence my request for help and advice.! Thanks again for me feedback! I appreciate it.