I can't speak to the Aesthetix phono stage, but I upgraded from a Chinook to a Herron VTPH-2A and it was significant. The Chinook is very good, but the Herron has more body, drive and detail and does imaging and soundstage better. I still have the Chinook and am listening to it now in my second system and it's more than satisfactory. There's nothing disappointing about the Chinook, but it can be bettered.
I have rolled tubes in the Chinook, but didn't notice much difference. It's been a while, I don't remember which ones. I'm still using the stock tubes in the Herron. It sounds so good with those that I haven't felt a need to futz with them (yet).
I have the Hana SL and the Kiseki Blue NS. The Kiseki is a lot more fun to listen to. I have heard the ML, but not in my system so I can't make a fair comparison to how the Blue compares to the ML. I really liked the ML on my friend's turntable.
I have rolled tubes in the Chinook, but didn't notice much difference. It's been a while, I don't remember which ones. I'm still using the stock tubes in the Herron. It sounds so good with those that I haven't felt a need to futz with them (yet).
I have the Hana SL and the Kiseki Blue NS. The Kiseki is a lot more fun to listen to. I have heard the ML, but not in my system so I can't make a fair comparison to how the Blue compares to the ML. I really liked the ML on my friend's turntable.