Is Exemplar the answer?

smilin, I find it a common experience that components sound quite good initially only to loose their luster and sound poorly for some time. This is the case with the Exemplar also. I suspect it has to do with forming the capacitors and cables, but it may also be getting the old tubes up to performance levels. Solid state gear shows this less than tubes, but it is still there.

The AudioTop contact treatment must improve the conductivity through the tube pins. It makes the unit sound more immediate and dynamic. The ambience of the recording venue are clearly reproduced making you feel as though you were there.

I purchased a 3910 three days ago & have been breaking it in 24 hours a day. Admittedly I haven't spent much time in the past several months with digital gear - so I've lost my digital-bearing slightly - but I must tell you, the stock Denon sounds pretty decent (after a bit of break-in).

I'm sure the Compass Lake ICs don't hurt but the Denon is sounding respectable even when the stock power cord is in use.

I'm pretty excited about the potential for this unit once the Exemplar mods are ready.

I just recieved the exemplar, I am going home to check it out...ttyl

Well,
I finally received mine today. It sounds really good out of the box. I haven't really had much time to sit down to listen today. I did open it up and it looked really well thought out and quality of workmanship is excellent. I am going to run it in for a few days and i'll post what i think.

Please don't say anything for at least a week and keep it running 24/7.