So I negotiated a bit and got both pieces for $1K. Really a fair deal considering both pieces look brand new, not a mark on either.
Have had them hooked up and listening in my system for the last few hours, and am really happy thus far.
- The tube pre (at least I am assuming it is the tubes) really needed a good half hour to warm up. After that point everything got a bit smoother, more layered.
- The low end is significantly punchier without being bloated.
- Mids definitely are more forward than I am used to hearing.
Bottom line really enjoying what I am hearing. I think it may be the result of having tubes in my system for the first time, or hell, I could be hearing things, but I think it definitely has changed how my system sounds.