"The point is so many of these conclusions need to be taken in the context of the system."
Point taken, I hear they sound a lot better partnered with their own amplifiers too.
I choose Manley Labs pre amp over BAT, Modwright, Mcintosh, Primaluna, over all these the BAT was so bad, I couldn't listen to my system at all. And it ran hot as hell!
Regards,
Matt M