Suggestions for a holographic preamp?

Hi @rocray, happy new year, and thanks for asking. Once I got the tube compliment sorted out, I liked both the Super 6SN7 and MicroZOTL about the same, and as you remembered, I figured I'd keep them both and alternate them month by month as they sound different enough.

Then I decided to try something and send the Super 6SN7 to Aric and got those upgrades he offers. That came back and I hooked it up, played about 10 seconds of a record I know very well, and said "This is no longer a fair fight - I'm putting the MicroZOTL up for sale." It's there on USAM. It's even great for playing hard-to-drive Susvara headphones to my relatively low-powered tube headphone amp; I just send it more juice from the Super 6SN7. Aric's a wizard with serious electronics mojo. 

Hi @larsman, I’m a big fan of Aric. I am using his preamps in both my systems. The main system has The Motherlode II, and my second system is running his older Unlimited.  I can’t say enough good things about him and his products.  At some point in the future I’m going to contact him about refreshing or possibly upgrading my Motherlode II.I was fortunate to find the Motherlode II used in 2021. I’m so glad to hear you are enjoying your Super 6SN7 pre.

    Keep enjoying the music!

           Ray 

I’m confused. You say you have a Herron tube linestage, but then say you’re looking for a tubed preamp - which you already have. Am I reading something wrong?

In any case, any good tube linestage/preamp should do a more-than-decent job of providing a 3D image (especially compared to solid state) through your speakers. I’ve had tubed preamps since on  and off since 1985, and they all create a more holographic image - but only if that is on the recording. They don’t - and shouldn’t -  produce a 3D image if it’s not on the recording.

Solid  state can give more focus and specificity to images, but doesn't deliver the true 3D effect the way tubed components do.

@gbmcleod - You may have misunderstood; I was looking for suggestions for something to replace my Herron linestage. Agreed that so much of that is dependent on the source.

Ah. Got it. Thanks.