For those worried about temps:
Initially, my LP was pretty hot in temps just about everywhere on the case. Fortunately, it simmered down on a scale of 1/10 (1 being not hot, 10 too hot to touch) where it initially felt like a near 8. But since receiving it on the 2nd, i've been running it nonstop and it lowered down to about a 5- 5.5 on the scale. Though room temps have been varying of course, so no precise measurements.
In the meantime, i'm struggling with the issue of the gain being too hot with my current headphones with the SE out (Impedance: 25 ohms Sensitivity: 99dBSPL / mW) so I have to lower my system and player volume to compensate (something i'd rather not do). I'm planning on getting a ZMF Aeolus soon (Impedance: 300 ohms Sensitivity 99dB/ mW) hopefully I can have manageable pot clearance with that but I feel like i'm treading on a fine line of channel imbalance and being too loud.
As for the amp itself, it sounds absolutely wonderful to my ears. I only have a Garage1217 Polaris for comparison and i'm rather bad at describing what i'm hearing into audiophile terms, but i'll give my impressions with my Audioquest Nighthawk Carbon (Stock carbon pads): *I should note that i'm rather sensitive to treble due to an injury to my ears, so I tend to veer towards less treble hot gear*
-Coming from the Polaris, I noticed an immediate difference in separation for instruments, as well as a larger soundstage. Though i'm not sure if I liked it better or not since the vocals seemed a little more distant. I liked the intimacy of the Polaris, but at the same time, it was a bit easier to isolate instruments with the LP.
-Instruments come off as more refined with the LP and feel more individual than slightly clashing with each other.
-The Polaris does come off as a little "creamier" than the LP in that there's this thin layer of umami smoothness covering the sound (Tubey?). Clarity takes a small hit for Polaris for that smoothness, but it's pleasing in its own way.
-Bass impact was actually slightly higher with the Polaris than the LP. (10-15% increase?) But at the same time, it's more defined with the LP.
-Details: Better on the LP. A good 20% i'd say.
-I should mention that there's a noticeable bite at the end of guitar strokes with the Polaris that is less noticeable on the LP. You could say the LP is more "delicate" with the strokes. It's beautiful in its own way though.
If I had to describe the two, the Polaris stands out more like a Takoyaki stall. Delicious, slightly punchy with umami, Crispy and warm comfort food. While the LP is more like a Sushi Restaurant where you see more refinement in the way the fish is cut, how the rice was cooked, the smoothness in the rolling, the delicate accents to the dish. Both comforting in their own ways, but also different in how they present themselves.
Oddly, i've been finding myself falling asleep more with the LP with how seductive it is. That's a good thing though haha.