DEV, thanks for sharing. I wish more people were as forthcoming as you instead of shooting PM's. Like I said, sunshine is the best disinfectant, and problems like you had would be greatly reduced.
A bit off topic, now, you have had some killer gear in your system. Did you get to audition it much in your own system before buying, or did you pull the trigger on gear, try it in your system and sell what didn't work out?
Yes and no, let me explain see below.
All at the same time I owned the following;
Room one
Avalon Isis speakers
VTL Ref 750's
VTL 7.5 pre
ARC Ref3
ARC 610t's
and other goodies
Room two Living room
Andra 2's
Pass Lab 600.5
MBL 6010d pre
CAT JL2 stereo
I purchased the MBL's and still had everything else.
So when the MBL's arrived it was easier to move the Andra's to break-in them in. When I did this right out of their crates brand new found they were very special and decided to start trying different gear and amps. What happened during this time was I had my Isis speakers up for sale and the person who wanted them, wanted every pce of gear in that room including my table. The deal felt right so I sold everything so unfortuantly I did not get to hear my 610T's or 750's, I then sold my Andra's. I spoke with Ken in relation to the JL3's and he told me that they were designed specifically with the MBL 101E's.
I had to pay for those in-full prior to actually being started.
While I still had them I got a pair of Bryston Squared 28's to tie my system over while awaiting for other amps to show up for a listen.
Some of these specific amps I did not pay for but was able to demo and pay for shipping back if I decided not to keep.
In between this time I purchased a VAC Sig. MK2a pre and was so smitten by the sonics eventually sold off my ARC and MBL 6010d but not until I had these others amps within my system to pair up with such.
Those amps consisted of; Boulder 2050's, Karan 1200's, MBL 9008's and 9011's to name a few.
I knew of the Vac Statement amps and really wanted to hear them but the only way was to pay for a pair, I held of. I then received a email with what I thought would be the impossible but wasn't. A chap in NY had the same speakers and pre as me and on their way was a pair of the VAC Statement 450's and I was offered to come for a listen. I waited for them to have up to 400 hours on them and then booked my flight for a three day stay over to evaluate.
I learned allot over the time with my speakers, trying this in my own home with no presure. Looking at my notes I found I would like this or that with this or that combo but nothing that really stood out saying WOW! and me wanting to part with my money.
Well when I got to the guys home it was pretty special from the get go, first listening exsperience was the system turned down low playing music. I was in awe, the floor noise was lower than anything else I have heard, so musical and I said to my self how can this be, these are tube amps. The dynamics were there, midrange and I can go on and on but was just floored, it just sounded like real performers were in the room. I have never experienced to this extent before, I was there for a full three days in glory listening to music, this was a real world set-up in someones home. Like a add on solarium with windows all behind the speakers, the room was by far ideal, large rack of albums over 8ft high on one side and not much on the other side so really the room was off balance but it didn't matter, the music was so glorious.
While I was there I played this and that, both cd and my favorite vinyl trying to find fault. I wanted an excuse not to buy these, one of the faults I found was my face hurt from smiling
Sorry to go on and on but it really was special, I had to have these so yes paid in-full prior to receiving.
I took pictures of my journey because how many chances in a million would this ever happen, I went there not thinking this was possible and just to say to my self now I've heard them.
I could not wait to get home and place an order with my dealer, I still had the MBL 9011's hooked up. All my gear was on standby and played some music, was disappointed and packed everything up, reconnected my Bryston's and waited.
So I hope I answered your questions.