Well, I have decided that I am not going to force it. In my system and in my room the Aria doesn't work. A very dynamic amp that performs well where volume is not a limiting factor. However, it doesn't have the low volume performance that my life demands. I have 10x10 listening room in a townhome. The room opposite of this room in my neighbors townhome houses a newborn. They are very nice folks and have never griped about music or volume, and I also have kept it sane, mostly. Also my preference is for listening far under 90db. More like 80. At those lower volumes and in my system the Aria becomes remarkably unengaging. This could be for many reasons but none the less that is where I am at. I reconnected the Elixir for the upcoming weekend. The dealer offered me a very good deal on an LFD Mistral however I simply cannot stretch the budget that far. Great dealer BTW (Gene Rubin). Any products he has that I am interested in he gets the first call.
Just as an aside...I couldn't help but get the feeling that this amp was superbly engineered with design, components and technical performance at the heart of its goals. The end result is rather mixed. Very quiet...I mean you can turn the volume all the way up on the phono without a hint of noise. But also easy to forget that music is playing...that ain't so good. In the right system and for the right listener I am sure this is a great amp.
Next up not an Lfd as I couldn't go it. However an amp that I have always wanted to hear at home is on it's way. The Sugden A21 Signature.