It's been 18 months since this report. Since then, Jazzhead has sold off his Stahltek 37k transport + 37k dac, Aqua formula, and Trinity. He got in the TAD Cd player, which he rates better than Neodio (I haven't compared here yet). I helped him source a Lampi Golden Gate from the used market at bargain price. He has now tried it with KR recti, KR PX25, and KR 242. Since the first note, he has been stuck on 242 - total transparency, see through, loads more energy, and distance increasing especially on classical (on amplified he says all his digital players are more or less equal). He called it a solid state tube - which is exactly how I would describe it.
He has now gone a bit mad and sourced himself a balanced Golden Gate and is getting the RK version of the tubes.
I will let him add, he doesn't access the forum much these days, if he wants to anything as the Lampi runs in (yes, it is stone cold after months of not being used, and the tubes are brand new so they will get better) and the compares of balanced and SE.
His one statement to me was "with 242 it's more direct unfiltered sound, so going back to the TAD it is like a step back from reality to recorded sound"
The Lampi is just put on the TAD. All his other gear is well cabled, isolated, and tripoint ground. He will get round to that with the Lampi. He is using the TAD for transport when playing the Lampi.
Downstream is Koda K15, Vitus SS 101 and Marten speakers
Lampi nation - Sorry I advised against the Pacific, hope you appreciate the rest, and I am sure he is mad enough to get round to the Pac soon.