Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

Well, let's not jump to conclusions. I hope that's the case, but time will tell. There are many reasons why one thing may sound better than another case by case.

No doubt sending the amp to an expert with the right knowledge and tools to get to the heart of the matter is the best thing at this point.

Rebbi has been emphatic regarding the new sonic discoveries heard with the amp with familiar music(three listening session notes on his blog). There's no logical reason not to expect a properly functioning amp to sound better than one that's defective.He's getting better music reproduction than he ever had with his prior Manley. His future is bright with the AN Kit amplifier. With the one exception he has pointed out(synthesized bass reproduction)all else was an improvement. Quite telling and very encouraging. Rebbi built a better amp than what he had.

I could be shocked, of course, but I would be very surprised if this isn't some problem with the amplifier itself and not merely a matter of inadequate wattage. You may remember earlier in this endless thread that when the local technician attempted to fix the amp, he sent pictures of his scope readings to Brian at Audio Note Kits. Brian said that the scope readings looked "squashed." Something really didn't look right.
I would also be surprised if there isn't a legitimate problem with this amplifier because it's such a classic and time-tested design and the parts quality is so outstanding, from the gargantuan transformers to the beautiful, Audio Note silver speaker binding posts. Anyway, we shall see

Sounds like digital Pete is the right guy to sort through it all. Then we will know. I am rooting for a happy ending. Once the amp is certified to be doing its thing perfectly as it should, you'll know if it is able to fit the bill with the Decapos to your satisfaction. I think there is a reasonable chance of that occurring and am rooting for it, but only time will tell. Its not a match made in heaven, so anything is possible. Might still be even if it were.

"Here's what I find remarkable about this situation. A decfective(below specified power rating) amp driving 86-87 db speakers sounding better than the former higher powered amplifier with the same speaker. When this amplifier is fixed, look out!"

Charles, your statement above is the crux of this seeming paradox. I am TRULY hopeful that Digital Pete gets down to the bottom of this perplexing issue and that in the end the Decapo and Audio Note work together, maybe not perfectly, what does....but then again to a point that really doesn't matter if there is magic to Rebbi. We're all rooting for him and hoping all works out with what he has on hand without the need to change speakers which at this point seems the next logical step.