Is the Cary SLP-05 still relavant?

a couple updates on the slp 05 after ~75 hrs.
i bumped up my amplifier’s gain from 50 % to about 75% because i noticed a slight reduction in the jump factor from the initial setting at full amplifier gain. parasound a21+. sounds much better, the sound really "pops" again. at 29db gain at full throttle i am guestimating about 21db gain through the amp, running half gain on the slp 05. i am using balanced outputs on the cary and max gain is 24db so pushing about 12db at half gain.
running stock tubes so far, tried a batch of NOS tungsols and ran into hickups. the stock eh sound excellent, the product must have been well voiced with them.
i did change the rectifier to a nos amperex and it bumped up the bass and warmth a noticeable amount without ill effect.
so far it sounds stunning.

Update: I put the -10dB Rockwell attenuators in and that worked great. Volume knob now between 10 and 12 o’clock on most listening and SLP-05 balance set at 100%.
I still haven’t tried any other tubes but may look at that rectifier tube @avanti. My vinyl source material is amazing through the Cary and I have a new streamer/Dac coming tomorrow so that should be fun too. Are you guys leaving the SLP-05 on 24/7? Manual recommends yes but seems like there is a lot of disagreement on this. If I will be away for more than 12 hours I have been shutting unit off.

Put the unit in standby when not in use for short periods and power off completely at the end of the day.  The slp 05 does not take long to reach optimal listening. 

still lovi’n my 05 !
backed off the gain on my parasound a21+ to 50 percent, 75 % started to sound too rich, almost like a loudness contour was switched on.
added a NOS quad of sylvania 6SN7 GTA and they improved the midrange and treble quite a bit, midrange is clearer, treble sweet and refined. Also put the stock sovtek rectifier back in.
this thing was already a keeper but getting it dialed in at 150 hours the sound will be impossible to part with.
fyi the sound continued to change after 100 hrs so take the Cary recommendation lightly.
i leave the power unit on and switch the units on or off with the preamp power switch per Cary.  

Hello out there, does anything beat the Cary SPL-05 tube preamp for the $$$$ ?