Tír Na HiFi

That's a great start anyway!

Yes, those Merrill Audios seemed to have seriously impressed you straight. I wonder what your impression would have been had they not been so well broken in. It sounds like fun already!

Hi Fergus, yes lots of fun. I had a Bonnie Prince Billy track on last night that I have listened to many times and had to double check it was the same recording I usually listen to (I have a few different versions of this song) as it sounded so different. For some reason the extra detail I was hearing from this particular recording was way beyond anything I had noticed so far.
I have read one review that claimed they needed a 1000 hour break in. I actually have the units used in that review so they are well broken in. I seriously doubt I could tell a difference after 100+ hours or so though.
I am having an audio friend (my only one - not my only friend but the only one seriously into audio) around on Saturday. That should be interesting and I'll be trying a number of reference recordings in addition to everyday stuff. I'll definitely have Sandrine Piau on.
These amps are clearly better than my current ones, I will be curious to see how they compare against the others on my list. I think that will be a much more difficult call.

The auditions are over and I purchased the Merrill Audio VERITAS mono blocks. They have been in the house since late January. Around the same time I also purchased 2 Lessloss DFC Signature power chords, replaced my outlets with a custom solution what included Maestro outlets coupled with parallel AC filters from CullenCables and changed out my Kimber Cable XLR to Purist Audio Design Aqueous Aureus. Really happy with the final solution, exactly the sound we like, drives the speakers well with great detail, power and soundstage.

Congratulations on the purchase, I hope they bring you many years of great musical joy (well, until the next upgrade anyway =D).

Quite a few changes there, enjoy it all!

Well you may wear - I wish you many happy hours of enjoyment!

Excellent news indeed! These are not always easy decisions to make but you seem very happy with your choice. Just sit back and enjoy it!!

Thanks everyone. Fergus you are correct these are not always easy decisions to make. This time around the process was even harder. One dealer turned out to be a huge ass, essentially stole my home audition "security deposit". I ended up having to contest the charge with the CC company to get it back.

Wow. That's horrendous.