New tube preamp

I have the Microzotl preamp @$4500, and I can confirm that it sounds quite excellent. However, I cannot offer any comparative assessment other than I like it significantly more than the Parasound JC2 solid state preamp that it replaced.

and they call this an audiophile forum...Sounds like stock 12au7's to me. swap the tubes to nos. any amperex or simens 1950-1970 will sound amazing compared to stock (probably russian genalex).ge's are nice as well from the same era but my favourite is the mullard 10m 12au7 .i'm not arguing that the other models aren't good but if you want to make the most out of any tube preamp or tilt the tone to your taste just swap'em, swap'em good...

OP,
I do not own the BHK but, 2things have made a huge difference in my systems

* Machina Dynamica Super Stiff Springs
* XLR cabling, specifically Wire World

hth

Scot, I would also highly recommend looking at the deHavilland Ultraverve preamp.  I am currently using a Tung Sol round plate 6sn7GT.  The sound is very nice...detailed and deep with great bass.  I also recently had Kara Chaffee (the designer of the Utraverve) install Dueland capacitors and I am very pleased with the sonic results.  Other 6sn7's that I like are: Raytheon GT 231, Sylvania W's, Ken Rad GT's, or any military 5192's. I am running a Bluesound 2i streamer into a Chord DAC and then through my Ultraverve...which serves my Bryston 14BSST into B&W 802's. For my ears I think the Utraverve is a great bargain.  regards, Jim

Consider the DeHavilland Ultraverve; another 6sn7 based pre.