I've a lot of early experience with ST-70 and a bit of experience about 30 years ago with an integrated Conrad Johnson amp.

The Decware sound is different from these. It is "faster" and lighter sounding, more clarity and dynamics. Less of that thicker, rich vintage tube sound and more liveliness and vivid presence. That's the best way to describe the presentation that I can think of. I believe you will very much enjoy the sound.

DLM- I would like to chime in agreement with Lon and CAJames. In the past I sold CJ, VTL, Motif, Aragon and owned quite a few tube pre-amps & amps. Decware is in a different class by it's self now days. CJ then was nice and pleasing to listen to, but never made me want to just stay up and listen until daybreak like our Decware gear does. After I did my research about reading everything I could from Steve and on the forum, I bought a Decware Kit (that model is no longer available) but it was the basic 2.3 watter. It proved the concept. I sold off all the gear I was using (ARC, NYAL, Krell) and bought our Rachael, CSP3, ZP3, ZMC-1, Switchbox, Omega speakers & sub and never looked back. Get your gear, get some good hours on it and I bet you can forget about comparisons. I don't even know why I still get the two mags anymore or read the on line mags, cause I can't see moving ANY of our Decware out of the rack. I was originally searching out 300B amps when I came across Decware, and now he's come full circle. Love it. I may order one at some point, never know what the future may bring. Keep us posted on your travels down this lovely rabbit hole and happy listening, Chris.