Tonight, I finally took the plunge and tried connecting my analog modded S3 with platinum caps, powered by Bolder modded linear elpac directly to my Odyssey Mono SEs. Previously, I have always connected by Bolder ICs to the Odyssey Candela Preamp. I should note that my S3 and power supply have a minimum of 750 hours playing time at full volume. I used Odyssey Groneburg ICs to connect from the S3 to the amps, the same ICs that normally run from the Candela to the Preamp.
I felt I had enough volume connected directly to the amps but the music had lost its warmth and mellow character it has when connected through the Candela. I reconnected the S3 to the Candela and again the music had warmth. Also, the soundstage was much better through the preamp.
This ended experimenting with directly connecting the S3 to the amps until I obtain a better power supply. Also, I am wondering if the warmth I am hearing connected through the preamp has more to do with the fact it is a tube unit? Anyway, time will tell as I will eventually own a better power supply for the S3.
Ken