DK Design Group vs. Boulder

Actually, Audiofankj, your memory is in fact so clouded that it wasn't even a DK Design Group amplifier you were listening to. You must have mistaken a Musical Fidelity amplifier for the DK, thats probably why you didn't think it souded very good. There is no model of the DK, whether its the Mk. 2, the Mk. 3, or the Signature that allows you to bypass the pre-amp section and not a single one of them has pre-amp inputs.

I didn't inspect the back of the amp... was definately a DK and it was in the "mode" with the two "digital renditions" of an analog meter on the front...

The only thing I can imagine in this case was the guy was running the preamp into one of the inputs? Which doesn't make much sense.

Tried calling this morning and no answer... will post once I speak with him and learn the configuration.

To be honest, the configuaration may not be correct - however it was a DK, with an Aesthetix preamp... sorry it isn't any easier for you Audioaril - how about that system of yours???

Ok, so one thing is already clear. You were listening to a DK VS-1 Reference Mk. 2 that sold for $2995, it is the only model that had the digital meter on the front. All future models do not have a meter.

If you had the Aesthetix going into one of the inputs, this could have resulted in a sonic degradation as you are adding more components then necessary in the signal path.

So, Audiofankj, I take it that you think Boulder equipment is better?