The future of preamps

@ Mapman, Thankyou for your post, I am glad you can see how I feel, seems like every few steps I have taken to build this system, I have had to take more backwards!, very frustrating!, I am almost back to where I started from in April 2012!, this is the year I hope it works out better, however, At the cost of what I am tring to do, It will take some time for me to finish the system., cheers.

Keith is a good ol' hospitable southern boy filled with passion and exuberance for our hobby. He and I have enjoyed many phone conversations so I attest to my statement. Keith, at some point you have to throw caution to the wind and trust the higher powers here. I am all for your soon to be realized audio success and fulfillment.

@ mapman, All that happened to the Krell 700cx amp I have was not the amp's fault at all, thats a whole other story by its self, the amp was working when I sent it to krell, just not working correctly, as a matter of fact, It was amazing the amp was working, Krell makes some tough amps!, As far as componets go at this point, The Krell appeared to be the best quality out of all the other poor, over priced equipment I had bad exsperiences with., Happy Listening.

@ Isochronism, Hi Brett, Thankyou for your kind words, Happy new year.

Audiolabyrinth, I doubt you will have problems with Atma-Sphere MP-1 driving your Krell. Still hesitant, a great alternative is SMC Audio VRE-1C. It's SS and competes with the very best tube pre. Send me PM for more details if interested.

@ Knghifi, Wow!, Is steve still with mccormack in virgina?, seems he has his own company, from what I researched, the preamp you referred is something I have never seen before, no gain!, very different from any thing!, Have you had the opportunity to listen to smc preamp?

Keith- If you want to contact Steve McCormack, you can do it thru this site (user name Stevemcx I believe) or thru his mod company SMcAudio. He's usually very approachable.

@ Swampwalker, Hi, Thankyou, you and Knghifi and a few others here on this thread, these few are gentleman indeed!, Audiogon needs more members like all of you! I am grateful.