Brooksl,
I found there are a few different model variations among the Model 34.
I had Bigkidz's 34 in my system before I received mine, it was an earlier model with a different circuit board layout and so on. I did some tube swapping (same tubes in both) and found them to sound identical.
The unit I have was Jerry's personal one he took to some shows (confirmed by previous owner)
A third variation of the 34 popped up in the listings yesterday and I noticed it has a different faceplate and knobs, but the power supply is identical.............
All of these can be upgraded to 2400 status or the newer tranformer-coupled 24 MXL version which does away with a pair of tubes in the power supply section of the DAC.
I personally like mine the way it is and have no quarrels about it, tube swapping takes care of my sound and is fun to do (sometimes a P.I.A. though)
System dependency and personal taste dicate this to me.
A review is coming up on the 24 MXL, forgot which mag, outta be REAL interesting, they're comparing it to another top notch hitter.