Actually Shamburg, I'd like to stay away from the euphonic camp. At can't get over the idea that I'd be adding something to the signal that wasn't there originally. Now I'm not one of the SS only guys who criticize anything tube related. My desire for a tube pre stems from an experience early on in my Hi-Fi experience when I demoed a AR tube pre and was amazed at the sound stage which resulted. A 3-D, holographic soundstage is what I'm after. However, I wouldn't want to compromise resolution.
Sonic Frontiers line 3 vs. AR 25 II
I'm on the verge of buying one of these pre's. There's a little price descrepancy between the SF 3 and the AR 25II. I've never even seen a Sonic Frontier's pre but have heard good things. If anyone has first hand experience with these pre's, which would you choose to mate with a Levison 334 amp, Sony SCD 777ES, and top notch DIY speakers. Thanks.