Jtimothya - I actually own the Thor linestage with phono MKII version, which is the newest. Through circumstance, I was able to get it at quite a reduced cost compared to retail. I believe retail is 13k. I did not have the opportunity to demo many products so I had to go on homework and faith. My personality is to always seek out the more obscure, and less written about, products. I like and pull for the little guys, as my entire system attests.
Sorry to include so many buzzwords but the Thor has terrific inner detail and a very wide soundstage. It, combined with the rest of my gear, is very non-fatigueing. Warm, with solid-state detail is how I would put it. It is locked in at 70db which gives off a small amount of tube rush but I attribute that to my 100db speakers. There is a lifetime guaranty aside from tubes and I don't plan to ever change it out. It's ROCK solid. Tapping on the top of the unit is like tapping on top of a 100 pound block of granite.
Downunder - As I mentioned above, the Thor is set at 70db with an added 8db of gain from the linestage section. The owner, Paul Marks, who is a great guy, says the stand-alone phonostage tops the linestage I own. Wow!
