Gregadd, I don't think that "thermal protection mode" is an accurate description of failure which is what happened to judge from Mr. Atkinson's comments.
The preconditioning test, as others have stated, is not very applicable to actual use. Nor are steady-state measurements of distortion, for that matter. But the amp failed the test and sustained damage. Stereophile reported on it and it is completely worthy of a thread here. Let each prospective buyer make of it what they will. Personally, it wouldn't bother me at all, but then again, I don't buy $55,000.00 amps.
The preconditioning test, as others have stated, is not very applicable to actual use. Nor are steady-state measurements of distortion, for that matter. But the amp failed the test and sustained damage. Stereophile reported on it and it is completely worthy of a thread here. Let each prospective buyer make of it what they will. Personally, it wouldn't bother me at all, but then again, I don't buy $55,000.00 amps.

