I picked up the 2.1R today. It is up and running in my system. All my longer interconnects are XLR and I was using a pair of Cardas XLR to RCA adaptors to connect my Aleph 3s to my Pass Labs X-0.2 pre with balanced cables. For now I only have a pair of 3m $35 Audioquest Snakes....but it sounds great for the conditions! Joseph told be he runs his preamps for 1 week for breakin.
Once I some decent wire between my amps and the 2.1, I will chime in again.