Yup, I know part of the issue is that my (vintage tube) amps must be low gain. I have 10 watt 6V6 integrated's that seem to play louder, earlier.
I'll have to try the APT one day on another amp...but teamed with the tube amps I have,
not even the Grado Green sounds right (full and dynamic, that is). I have to use a 5mv AT or a 5mv ADC before I get some measure of fullness/rightness to the music.
The line stage, whatever the gain on the APT, is amazing. I've never heard so much clarity nor have my little 6.5" 2 way Linaeums
ever pounded out as much bass as this.
I end up listening to the Mitsui more often, tho, as switching from preferred phono (the Mitsui by yards) to line (the APT, by a goodly margin) is a pain