Forget about 5 years, what about 5 months from now? The Pacific Valve stuff has a 90 day warranty, the eBay stuff doesn't indicate any warranty at all. If you can fix them yourself, or are going to mod them and void the warranty anyway, or consider them cheap enough to be a throwaway, then maybe it makes sense. Otherwise, I'd stick with more established companies.
Inexpensive preamps look too good to be true?
I've been doing some research on preamps since I'd like to get remote control. Some products coming out of China "look" really nice, and many of them appear to be modified from other highly rated preamp designs which can cost much more. What do you think of these links below? Are any worth considering? They look like they could be excellent for DIY or stuff that is made could be tweeked more. Any thoughts. This stuff looks good, how it sounds - is the better question! Thanks
http://www.pacificvalve.us/LTLS27.html
http://www.kitsparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_108&zenid=kfoi7r2r9dgc5a9o3g0mul0j36
http://stores.ebay.com/Electronic-Kits-and-Parts-Store_High-End-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm
http://eshop.diyclub.biz/index.php?cPath=149_106
http://www.pacificvalve.us/LTLS27.html
http://www.kitsparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_108&zenid=kfoi7r2r9dgc5a9o3g0mul0j36
http://stores.ebay.com/Electronic-Kits-and-Parts-Store_High-End-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm
http://eshop.diyclub.biz/index.php?cPath=149_106