Indeed, Anthony... As a matter of interest, as you've chosen to fit DACT stepped attenuators, which utilise SMD resistors, in your (£5k?) Soul Mate preamps [and have done for some time], what's your view on their inherent sonic qualities and/or technical suitability for that job, in terms of them maximising signal integrity?

Interesting your point about cables. I wasn't sure if the Goldpoint, being a passive device, would 'like' the MC5000s as much as the Croft does, but there's no difference (no lack of drive or 'oomph'), which shows that they're very good (versatile and transparent) cables.

It's important to keep them as short as possible though (with a passive), as I discovered when I tried a 1m pair from my DAC to the Goldpoint, instead of the 0.5m pair normally used. That had quite a profound negative impact on the sound.

Marco.