First, I should scold you for not googling "bottlead", as the company's web site is the very first link that shows up.
I use a Bottlehead Foreplay pre-amp, with a homebrew gainclone power amp (see photo). I am very happy with it.
I think they make great kits. Many people use their SET kits with Pi speakers --> the high efficiency of Pi kits, especially 3pi and bigger, makes them very suitable for SET, either 2A3 or 300B. The thermionic series is specifically designed for tube amps, although I've seen Wayne recommending the theater series as well.
A very knowledgeable friend happened to have on hand a highly reviewed and expensive $2500 retail pre-amp. With Shallco 42 step attenuator, no less! Wanted an opinion on the sound. I said right off the mids, especially the lower mids sounded muffled. We switched around horns and drivers. Same basic character. I had brought along my Foreplay pre-amp. Have to make a short story long.:) This Foreplay was constructed, no, resurrected from my parts box. It has $2 alpha pots, a mixed bag of resistors and is mostly wired with $4 for 3 spools Radio Shack wire. It does have Auricap output caps. As well as the High Voltage and filament snubbers. We hooked it up and I kept a poker face. Finally, he turned to me and said, "That Bottlehead thing blows it away!" It was true. Airier, more detail, focused image, etc. The circuit is everything and this circuit, with the snubbers, is genius. Sure wish the power supply on the Paramours was cleaner....
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