Uriah, you, not we, are talking about the 380S. Albertobat, the originater of this thread, said he's looking at a 38S or 380S. So your experiences and my experiences share equal validitity.
I have heard the Klyne and the Threshold and the 380S was way ahead in all sonic areas.
That's why Baskin-Robbins makes 31 flavors. I didn't like the 38S even a little bit. My wife, who doesn't say much with regards to my system, even commented that her car stereo sounded better. Nothing offensive, it's just a system synergy/personal taste issue. The ML 38S was much too upfront for my tastes. I felt as if I'd been transported to the front row, with the midrange thrust right in my face. Vocals were very prominent, while I had to strain to hear the music hidden behind the vocals. The guy I sold it to loved it, the guy I bought it from didn't.
It takes all kind.
Funny how JA from Stereophile is still using his 380S after all these years as his reference.
Funny indeed. My experiences with ML have changed my opinion of the glossy rags too. I now question much of JA's opinions, as his tastes obviously differ from my own.
Don't forget that Paul Bolin, also of Stereophile, says that the best days of the ML No. 32 Reference have past it by, when placing it up against the best of today's preamps (VTL TL-7.5, Halcro DM-10, BAT VK-51SE (my current preamp)).
It seems that you place much more faith in magazine reviews than I do. You reference Fi magazine in your first reply, and JA of Stereophile in your second reply. I read the glossy rags, but ultimately, I let my own ears be the judge.
Regards,
John