Charles:
I agree with your post and is essentially my point. it becomes system matching with just one component out of place. I am going to put more time on the REDS down the road to see if there is any improvement. I have heard the difference in reversal and it was clear that in the VAC the wording should be backwards left to right. My preamp. is on 24/7 during the winter months.
As for now I installed the beeswax fuse last evening and will report what i got down the road with more time.
Thanks,