Don't have too much time for this crap here. Anyway, no, it's not break in. Brad's system was apparently a mismatch with the amps, and h went to expensive tubes better suited for his system. Guess what, ??? That happens.
As for the McCormack's, yeah right. When I started the Stratos, I borrowed a .5 and 1.0 from a dealer friend of mine. Since then, I also bought !!!! a 225 last year ( and resold it for the same $$$ a couple of months later, which I do a lot to keep somewhat on my toes to see what's going on. Actually, in 2000 I have had a total of 14 !!!!!!!!!! FOURTEEN !!!! different amps in my system over a period of 6-8 weeks or so to see where i should position myself on the market. The last time I hav done serious multi unit listening was in the fall for teh digital amps)
I like the .5 and teh 1.0 and I hav some real respect for Steve. he's one of the few "old-timers that endured and who went for what they believe in. One of the good guys in audio. They are very good amps, and I can see that in some instances and for some tastes that are more geared towards detail, th units will be favored. However, if you really want to get an amp that is on par with the stratos, and where it gets to be a street fight, go with the 225. Excellent amp, and I can state all of the above, because I have actually listened to that in the same systems.
Late,
Klaus