Are new Mark Levinson Preamps better than old?

willcycle - did you ever hear the difference between the ML 380 and your ML 380S?  I wish I had purchased a a ML 380S all those years ago, but it was too costly for me at that time, and if I were to get one used it would be as old as my ML 380, so it would have to really bring better sound to be worth it.

triwhiz - thanks for the info on the ML 526.  I actually have an ML 5101, and I am very happy with it.  Since I already have the ML 5101 DAC and since I do not listen to vinyl, do you think the ML 523 would work as well?

I have not compared the 380 to the 380S so I can't comment on sound differences.  I have fully recapped my preamp about eight years ago.  Considering the unit's age and enclosed chassis a recap at this time is advised.  

More Primaluna gear. Yes!

@triwhiz

You mentioned upgrading ML DACs.  Are you talking about migrating from a DAC1 to a DAC2 module?  If so, can you provide a little detail about the ways in which the DAC2's SQ was an improvement? And in retrospect, do you consider that difference to have justified the cost & hassle of a circuit-board upgrade?

For context, I'd probably be using the upgraded component with a pair of $10-20K Vivid speakers.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

I agree with Testpilot.  I used to have a 25s/26s/23.5/37-360s set-up and later added 20.6's (which I recently sold).  All Madrigal CZ-Gel interconnects and even camac shorting plug's for un-used inputs.  That system was quiet as chair.   It mostly drove Tympani 1-D's and JBL 4345's.  When I told the guys in the Levinson room @ CES several years ago what I had, their jaws dropped, and they admitted that that was the pinnacle of ML and It's been downhill with Harmon ever since.  The ML32/33H was their attempt to better the 26s/20.6's and I'm sure it is a formidable combo, if it isn't total over-kill...
I moved on to Hartsfields and Marantz tube gear 15 years ago.