I really do trust Steve to provide honest and balanced reviews of audiophile gear and that's exactly what I think he did for the CA1. As someone who just pulled the trigger on a CA1 purchase, I had a moment of concern, but ultimately, am thoroughly excited about receiving the amp and integrating it into my system. I'm going to be driving Definitive Technology DR7 towers, nominal 6 ohms, with a Pro-Ject X-1 table, Sumiko Oyster series cart, so I think it'll satisfy my desire to occasionally push gain to peaks of 90-92 dB-SPL for big stuff, but comfortably drive the towers at 80-85 dB-SPL for most of my listening sessions. I'm frankly only interested in extracting vinyl experiences from this device, knowing I can always add a high-end DAC, so the lack of digital inputs matters not. If fact, I'm happy to pay more $$ to be put into the analog chain to render a superlative result. Frank has used the phrase, "unsurpassed transparency," to describe the CA1. Steve, and others, have now remarked about "clarity." To be honest, when I receive the unit in just a few weeks from now all I care about is goosebumps when the Bruford/Wetton section kicks in on "We'll Let You Know" from KC's Starless and Bible Black. That's my reference. From there, I know that Patricia Barbara sounds great. Holly Cole sounds great. Brubeck and Blakey and Davis and Coltrane sound great. Hopefully, Yes and Genesis and Hugh Masekela sound great too. If all true, what else could a happy camper ask for?