It's been a long time and the system is rather different.
Dave I didn't think your comments were patronising atall; we can all only ever talk about our own experiences!
I'm always happy to try new stuff so perhaps the next bake off I host shall be preamps.
I have heard a few 801's and I much prefer the earlier models which were a 'cost no object' design by John Bowers' team. The later ones were voiced to sound more modern but I find them harsher, particularly the diamond tweeter models but hey, I can't afford a pair anyway so it's all good!
Main system: Sony TTS8000; AT1010; Audio Technica Art1; The Lentek; Cambridge 851n, Yamaha NS1000.
System 2 - SBT; Technics SH-X1000 DAC; Denon PMA-850