Hello all. A summary: I rec'd my first TVC, standard edition in Five, yes 5, days. Replaced a very well made 36 step dual mono stepped attenuator w hand matched resistors and star grounding that I had used for 15 years. The improvement was obvious. Much smoother, greater depth, sweeter. rather like replacing a good ceramic plate RCA 211 with mother's best Western Electric metal plate. Smile and relax into the music. After 20 or so hours of break in (400hrs, you guys are kidding right?) disaster. A loud hum in the right channel. After switching and reswitching tubes to try to isolate the problem I tried inputting a signal and..aaargh... full output to that channel. No attenuation. Scary loud. Luckily my Quads were retired and there was no damage to the Dynaudios. The unbreakable TVC was broken.I got to Nick and he offered to send a replacement. I accepted but upgraded to a dual mono single box ref3 that was available. While waiting for my replacement TVC I returned the attenuator to the system. The sound that had brought me so much pleasure for so many years was now unlistenable. Once you hear a distortion it is impossible to tune it out. I waited. Turn around was again again five days. For those concerned about delay I had received two consecutive orders in 10 days! The ref3 is marvelous. Both units sound/sounded so organic and musical that I cannot imagine anyone not being delighted with either, regardless the level of his system. Props to Nicholas and the crew (?) at Promitheus. I will try later to discuss the minute differences between the two units. I will continue to burn the new one in past the current 120 hrs although I am not a true believer. Gotta go for now. I can hear Holly Cole in my listening room again. Damn! I told her to stop stalking me.....Gerry
