Hello Fishfood. The L1 is excellent. I like the fact that it is one box and there is separate gain control plus a master volume control. There’s a lot of functionality with his preamp and it is a steal on the used market if you can find one.
It does not sound as good as the LL1 signature. That four box unit is the best preamplifier I’ve had in my system. The two sound very similar, but the LL1 is quieter. Both are extremely natural sounding. The bass quality is slightly more nuanced and I think extended in the LL1.
Ascendo D9 full range speakers from Germany. Was able to get the last demo pair in mint condition from a distributor in States! Just amazing sounding and looking speakers at any price, but for 14 K MSRP practically a steal, as these can compete with ANY mid size speakers at any price ! Its such a travesty this German brand is not as well known in the USA, as in Europe. Now I had heard their larger M and F series, and those sounded fantastic, however priced in the range of 30-100K, but the D9's performance level in their enclosure size &price is like "catching lighitng in a bottle" type of of product, the word overachiver just does not do its proper justice, and I'm not easily impressed to say the least. Been listening to them last couple of weeks, with a wide grin! Such a gem.....