Congratulations on your system evolution. I am almost 74 and have been into audio since I was 10. I retired a couple of years ago and had what I thought was my final system, which was modified Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 9's with CMS LS 1.5 speaker footers, a pair of VAC 452's AB Tube amps and VAC preamp and VAC phono. My digital arm is a Taiko Audio Extreme feeding an MSB DAC, which is being replaced by a Lampizator Horizon DAC on Saturday. After years of trouble with my analog leg, which was a Bergmann Glader Odin with a My Sonic Lab Reference Platinum cartridge going into the VAC phono via MasterBuilt Audio Ultra cable, but did not work in my system because I live on salt water in front and behind my house and the tolerance on the Bergmann was so tight that my Spindle would not rotate and my air bearing arm would not track all the way across the record.due to salt build up.
Steve Williams, a close long-time friend and founder of the What's Best Forum asked me if I would evaluate a pair of Westminster Lab umbilicals between the MSB Digital and analog power supplies to the audio chassis. I tell you this because my jaw was dropped by the massive sonic improvement, despite having MasterBuilt Ultra cables throughout my system.
Gary Leeds of Hear this asked me if I wanted to try the Westminster REI monoblocs and then after several days added the Westminster Lab Quest Preamp. I will cut to the chase and tell you that despite my considerable core electronics, in about 30 seconds I was hearing a totally different sounding system. Don't get me wrong, the VAC 452's are probably the best sound AB tube amps on the market, but I love super fast rise and decay times and a bottomless noise floor. Oh and also rock solid bass down to around 10--12 Hz
The sound of the Westminster core electronics in my system had me sitting in my listening chair for 8-10 hours at a time because the believability of the sound was and is the best I have ever heard at any price point. I have always loved class A amps, but their heat production was a challenge, but with the Westminsters, you can barely feel even the slightest warmth. Also the overall sound of my system is so pure because both the pre and monoblocs sound identical, which is once again the best sound I have ever heard at any price point.
This is a big weekend for me because Gary is delivering, along with the designer, my new turntable, the ARS Machinae and installing the Westminster phono stage in my preamp which Angus assures me sounds identical to the preamp and power amps.
My system has very impressive bass with 15" subs with 1,000 watt plate amps from 50 hz down. I also have a pair of JL F 113-a subs out of phase in the rear corner adding another 4000 watts to the bass. Once again I have not heard a system with better bass articulation, detail and shear power. My VSA's are four ohms so the REI Monoblocs are outputing 200 watts into each, which I feared might not be enough for my your are there listening levels., but I have never run out of power and my whole house is rocking.
I live half way between Philly and NYC and you are welcome to visit and listen if interested. But be warned, you will very likely end up with the Westminsters. Also I expect that the Horizon will add some extra qualities.