SP14 - my own personal thoughts . . .

this is a link to my post from 3 years ago . . . thought maybe some newbies might want to read it !! (at this time, it's hidden WAY back on page 32)

https://dynacotubeaudio.forumotion.com/t1178-vta-sp14-preamp-part-2-does-your-jaw-drop-to-the-floor-or-do-you-wet-your-pants

A timely time to bring this forward, with quite a bit of interest and reference being made to the SP14 lately.

I continue to be more than delighted with this pre amp.

I do use a passive preamp and very happy with it. I sold my BAT preamp after listening to my system with a passive preamp. However, I am very tempted to try this preamp. Winter is here in New England and this would be a nice winter project.

Just today, I put a couple of Sylvania chrome-top 6SN7s (vintage 1954) in my six-month-old SP-14, in the volt amp position.
The clarity of those elusive string overtones has never sounded so natural. And those are the Holy Grail of Sound for the "Classical" aficionado.
As stated in the no-B.S. intro to the SP-14, this is not a preamp for the casual listener. One should have a well-matched system in place before considering it. And be prepared to do some personalized tube-rolls, and coupling cap choices, in order to appreciate its capabilities.
I am convinced that the SP-14 is the Final Frontier for a no-compromise two-channel stereo system.