Chris, it seems that you have an unusually hot running reference control unit. This is not normal, I've had mine in stand-by mode and on since February this year and it never gets "hot", only warm when on and then equall temperature right, left and middle. The control knobs on the front never get even warm on my unit. Go back to ML and ask them for advice, it could be your amp circuit, make sure that there is no risk of excessive wear.
As for Dan, his unit seems to be faulty, or there is something else wrong in his setup...I would take the recondition unit, as long as ML gives full warranty, only then he may find out if its really the controller box or not. Also, why not have the dealer do all this for you...for a $16k pre-amp he ought to!!!
As for Dan, his unit seems to be faulty, or there is something else wrong in his setup...I would take the recondition unit, as long as ML gives full warranty, only then he may find out if its really the controller box or not. Also, why not have the dealer do all this for you...for a $16k pre-amp he ought to!!!