The Protector has arrived.
As noted, it is the same size as the Predator.
It is easy to use and the connecter is a snap. The connector being very solid and just fitting the face of the Predator so everything looks right.
Of course what everyone wants to know is what it sounds like.
With a little bit of a warm up, 1/2 hour, the sound improved from being a little cold to natural. One thing I notice immediately is that cymbals, not always easy to get right have the true brass sound. Separation of side to side and front to back is excellent. Some cuts on Buena Vista that I thought were one voice I now can tell are two voices.
More to report later.
Edit: This Protector is broken in of course as it is the one Ray has been using and has taken to a recent meet. Even with that I notice that in doing an A/B to another amp for a baseline, it needs a bit of on time. I can hear changes on this broken in model after even 45 minutes but this is normal for any amp, at least in my experience. So if you get one besides the burn in period, on time will also be something to consider when listening, at least in my experience. This is a good thing to think about before proclaiming what it sounds like or for that matter the sound of most any amp. IMO