Hi Peter...I'm not saying that there is some sort of mismatch going on with your components or cabling (it sounds like there is), but I did want to point out that the Berning amps are an OTL amp...not a standard tube amp. OTL amps don't have a standard tube amp sound.
It might be worth checking into other interconnects and cabling. I haven't used Kimber PBJ for years, but I always found them to favor the upper frequencies. I never used them for my primary sources. I'm not familiar with the Audioquest.
It might be worth checking into other interconnects and cabling. I haven't used Kimber PBJ for years, but I always found them to favor the upper frequencies. I never used them for my primary sources. I'm not familiar with the Audioquest.