Fpeel brings up a good point re: tubes. I hadn't changed the tubes (6 6922s) in my pre-amp for a year+ and my system was starting to give me headaches. I changed tubes, broke them in, and all was well. It really did make a huge difference, but tube wear creeps up on you so slowly that sometimes you forget about it. I note you have a Mesa Baron amp. How are its tubes? Maybe a different brand/type of tube etc. Good Luck. Craig
Source of Brightness
I have rigning ears from the brightness in my system. Linn Genki, Meas Baron, Magnepan MMM (1.6s ordered). What is the source and solution? Robert Harley in TAS on SACD said that the CD brigthness/harshness wasn't there on the SACD and in the past the best CD players balance brightness with detail. Are high end makers walking a tight rope due to an inferior souce format?