Interesting that Steve shipped the CSP2 with a 274B. I've read good things about the Valve Art version but I agree that probably not the best tube to use while the pre breaks in. They're cheap at $12-13 per so I'm going to try one in my well seasoned CSP2.

Glad to hear that the new addition is working out for you.

I put the RCA 5Y3GT back in. I don't know if it's because I'm so used to the tube . . . but it has the most natural and convincing sound with acoustic instruments, and rather than sounding big as with the other types, the stage and image seem appropriate. Sort of a "British" sound overall.

So far my well-seasoned CSP2 delivered a better sound than this new machine, but this is a very new component compared to one that was over five years old.

Well, I had the 274B back in the system after about 50 hours of use in the second system.

Took it out pretty soon thereafter. Just not my taste, too big and clean sounding. The RCA 5Y3GT I used in the CSP2 is still the tube to beat. It's got the magic!

Listening to vinyl through the CSP2+ is my recent big kick. Especially mono; I spent a good part of the weekend dialing in the mono sound and it now is room-filling and warm and swinging. Can't wait for the ZP3!

Alright, I love my CSP2+, it's fully broken in and sounding splendid.

This weekend I both played around with interconnects and rerouted several components so that now I have the PWD Mk II running into the CSP2+ in the input formerly used by the Denon SACD player, which now runs directly into the Torii Mk II. I'm getting used to the extra body that this has added to the PWD Mk II output. . . I'm not sure that I ultimately prefer this, it's fine for higher resolution material, but I think that I actually prefer the Redbook playback directly into the Torii, but I may just be much more used to it. It's great sound either way, unbelievably good sound actually, best I've ever heard.  Conversely, the SACD sounds better running through the CSP2+. . . . Interesting. I'm leaving it this way for now. It does improve the sound coming from my DVR into the PWD Mk II, I actually did this thinking it would. A friend of mine has trouble deciphering some voice material on TV shows when I have my DVR set on "Normal." He prefers it on "Narrow" but I don't like the compression added and the narrowing of the sound field. . . . With the CSP2+ in the chain, voices get a subtle bit of reinforcement that has helped him find them more intelligible on "Normal" and he has had no problems on two visits now.

I ended up keeping all interconnects the same. I did like the Silver Quad + MAC cables with the PWD Mk II, but ultimately preferred them with the PS Audio GCPH where they've been a while now, and I ultimately prefer the cyroset.com cables with the PWD Mk II, they just have a bit more naturalness, less "hifi." I tried a few of the Audioquest cables that I have on hand again, but they quickly came out.

Lon, how long did it take to break in your CSP2+? Thanks. Jim

I now have two CSP2+ in the main system, I'm a happy man--all my sources now run through a CSP2+ and I love the sound.

This is such a wonderful preamp: flexible, dynamic, musical. And I've fallen in love with the long chassis with the walnut frame and the white top, just lovely stuff. I didn't used to care what equipment looks like, but with my two preamps, my ZP3 and my Torii Mk III all in walnut with white tops I have a beautiful system!

Thanks JD!

Too bad that I have to pack them up in a month or so for a cross-country trip.