Any Experience With Conrad Johnson ET3 Preamp?

I auditioned a ETS SE for a weekend and came away less than thrilled. The sound was like a warm misty summer morning. It was a great effect, but it wears on you. I just could not get around the slower, more edge intangled, heavy and less detailed soundstage. And yes, my sample was noisy, too. At the end of the session, the left channel tube started scratching and sizzeling bringing the audition to a standstill.

So, the unit clearly wasn't 100% prior to the outright tube failure, but it had a LONG way to go to be what I would be happy with long term. I used Dynaudio C4's and they are pretty unforgiving if you have a unit that lacks clarity in presentation. Switching back to my XP-10 was a HUGE change in detail and speed and maybe too much, even. But, the two units live at opposite ends of the sound spectrum. I'm still looking for a middle ground pre-amp (possibly a RLD-1 with a 2012 series platinum SMc mod).

I'm not against tubes at this point, I just haven't heard the tube magic yet that would make me accept the more temporary performance peak of tubes. Tubes just change more and faster than SS. The newer single tube per channel SS (I think J-FET) output tube units seem promising, though. They seem to try to manage what is good about tubes and remove the bad (poor ability to drive longer leads).

Well, I sent off a RLD-1 for the 2012 platinum upgrade. OK, the box, PC board and remote are about the only things that aren't changed. Yikes! It's been since November, as Steve is cranking on his VRE-1C for the show(s). Can't say I blame him. I hope it adds some body and warmth to the sound. It may not be the end-all, but then I can't afford what probably is! Steve seems to have a good ear, so I doubt it will be a mistake. The XP-10 isn't a mistake, it's just TOO good on certain types of music, and that makes it TOO detailed on others. I'm trying to split the difference some.

But still, preamps are seriously overlooked on their sound quality. It will be a haul for thr RLD-4000 (about what I have in it) to break in. I'll just sit that Sony tuner on as station in the basement and walk away!