Reb1208 - I too would be curious to hear what the rest of your system is. Your comments are surprising to me. I bought one of Dan's prototypes for the current production preamp. From what I understand from the few comments I've read from folks who've owned both, the production model is only an improvement on the prototype. Now on my prototype the soundstage was nothing short of superb, and, though I wouldn't have called it a 'tubey' sounding pre, but I also would not have thought to relate it to an SS pre. I found it to be neutral sounding and very dynamic and fast. Again, differences exist from prototype to production, but I'm be really surprised to hear that they'd go the direction you describe experiencing. My issue with the prototype was a simple one that it did not have as good synergy with my SET amps as with my Push/Pull rig. Dan was implementing some changes at the time based upon feedback from the prototypes which he thought would address some of my desire for better synergy with SET. Unfortunately I already had a deal in place to sell the prototype so didn't get to follow up on the offer. My issues with my SET amps were that the prototype did not give me as strong a low-end as I was used to. The emphasis in that matching up was all about midrange. It also seemed to take away some of the warmth (which may be coloration, albeit coloration that i very much like) from that midrange in favor of neutrality. This was not the case with the P/P amp where the prototype really shined in every area and was a superb pre. After reading many comments on how improved the production model is I wish I'd stuck with the program. So let us know what you are pairing the preamp off with. If you are going to make comments that are specific to a component it helps to know the associated system as it could simply be a poor combination. If there were one great preamp that went with every system out there there would be no need for forums like this, or rags that thrive on reviews.
Marco
