Brad,
You heard a Golden Atlantic and possibly a GG with one set of tubes and all this BEFORE you got the Aries. We all know that the GG is different with tube changes, and Bonzo heard exactly the opposite when he did a head to head.
So, while I dont claim your opinion is invalid, please leave enough wiggle room to ensure that the reader understands that its not an open and shut case...far from it.
I am yet to hear the Aries and expect it will be great given Stavros's passion and skills. I am also yet to hear the GG2 or Pacific, and likewise I will make a projection that it will be like a "great lep forward". Things are good in digital land!
First, you seem to mistake me for someone who doesn't like the sound of Lampizator DACs...maybe you thought I was a DCS owner by mistake??
GA and GG are both good DACs, no doubt about it. However, IMO, it is an open and shut case at least from what I have heard so far from GA (which is not likely to change since there is no tube rolling involved) in MY system. I gave an opinion based on currect experience and I don't expect anyone to take it as gospel. I will reserve final judgement on the GG but, if you want to bring over a GG with 242 tubes and we have a proper, level matched shootout, then I am always up for that kind of fun.
I compare both the GA and Kassandra to my vinyl reference. For the GA, vinyl was clearly still superior overall, especially in dynamics. For the Kassandra the lines are totally blurred as Kassandra has dynamics out the wazoo along with the tonality and refinement.
I heard the GA and Kassandra in my own system...something you have not done and by your own admission you haven't even heard the Kassandra at all, let alone in your own system. I know the sound of my system VERY well so I know what happens when new components are inserted. This is very different from dropping two different DACs into an unfamiliar system. Also, considering you haven't heard Kassandra, I think it is you who needs to leave the wiggle room rather than relying on Bonzo's opinion. Besides it was not nearly as clear cut for Bonzo as you lead on (reread the blog...with the first tubes he thought Kassandra was better at least in some ways).
Hopefully, you will come to the show and see our room.