Got it!
Switched the gain right away to 10db. First impression: this thing is heavy!
No, really, right out of the box, this is a heavy and long amp.
Ok first
sound impression: Oh yea, HERE is the power the 702 needs! At any volume level the sound is more robust, filled or fleshed out, quicker and more energetic with more impact; more
powerful. THIS is what I've been missing all these months with my 702, and I was right in thinking that the EF-1 just couldn't power them well enough. I even did a "take" when putting on my first track (Rush's Tom Sawyer); my head involuntarily jerked back in surprise at the power and energy.
As for more detailed sound impressions, first thing I noticed was the upper tube veil or softness of my EF-1 was gone; the high mids and highs have more clarity. YET (and this will anger tube fundamentalists lol) the highs are NOT harsher, in fact, I think they are
less harsh than with my EF-1! Imagine, a pure solid state amp having smoother and less fatiguing highs than an hybrid tube amp!
This coheres with what I've been growing to suspect more and more: That it's not a matter of tube or solid state having a certain SS in general, but what the maker of the amp is going for. I know my EF-1 is only a hybrid amp though, but still...
Also I think there is more air in the highs now and as a result there seems to be more detail and a slightly larger sound stage. The bass sounds even more articulate than before, and everything seems more balanced and even smoother or more cohesive.
More later, especially as I A/B the M-Stage with the EF-1.
In sum: the 702's are now brought to life!
The power they need is there to give them the energy and more filled out sound (not "warmer" by any means, just not as "thin" or "hollow" or anemic) they are capable of. They sound better than ever now, I'm quite impressed so far!
Thanks to project86 for the review and starting this thread and Frank for pointing this amp out to me and all the other posters who provided their impressions of this amp. I think me, the 702's, and this amp are going to get along just fine for quite awhile.
Also thanks to coolfungadget: a week delivery from China with a weekend in the way...wow!