Thanks for this generous act

It is very easy. The Rega board is pretty spread out and allows you to easily desolder the stock chip and pit in either the browdog adaptor/627's combo or you could just put sockets in and do some experimenting with the 627's and other opamps. I have the 627's in mine, but the 2604 sounds very...

Since switching out the 627 for the 227 opamps, I noticed a lot more body and dynamics to the presentation, at the expense of some noticable detail. But I found the 627 much less involving. At some point I will switch back to the 627 to compare again, but I see why Xin uses 227 stock. Really...

While I do not have canalphones, I can attest that the supermacro is a very fine amp with both my grado and sennheiser headphones(SR 125 and HD 600). I personally prefer the stock 227 opamps to the more expensive 627 opamps that I have used with it- the 627 has more detail, but the 227 has more...

Carla Bley- Fluer Carnivore Great Big Band Jazz. Fits perfect on PLAY LOUD setting on any stereo setup. Big, warm dynamic sound(on vinyl at least).

I read that these were pretty good-http://www.crutchfield.com/S-47X8o0pcJNU/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=37900&id=features_and_specs&i=058ps 2052

I do not think I saw this mentioned- make sure your turntable is level. Unless you have an uber expensive cd source, even a modest vinyl rig properly set up should show its strengths readily.

I totally agree with Robert Miles Organik. I am listening to it right now. It's a really nice recording. I will add (from the top of my head): Lull-Cold Summer(First track has some deep bass tones) Bill Laswell-Divination-Nice tight but deep bass lines in two of the tracks...

Along with the creek, I would also look into the Rega Brio. Like the creek, it's got synergy with the epos line, plus it has a nice phono stage. I have a Rega Mira with my Epos ES 11, and they go very well together. The Brio is less expensive than the Mira, but more lively from what I read.

edit. Did not catch that price was no object.

My first impression after popping the cords into my Rega Mira and 963a were of slightly more prominent bass and detail. But I would have to do some AB comparisons to make sure. And the cables do fit very securely to the power outlets and the components.

I remember this qouted from a Robert Pollard album: I'm not in your dreams Get out of mine

I would definitely agree with you on the speaker placement- it looks like your set up is in the corner of your room(with one speaker right in the corner spot), which is about the worst place to put monitor speakers. If there is any way to move you desk away from the corner and a little further...

Got my cables in the mail yesterday. Thanks again Tortie and Alex for your efforts in putting together this buy.

Whatever works best with the packaging you have. The only part I think would be susceptible to damage would be the 3 prongs.