I agree with your characterization of being polite and gentlemanly. Martin Colloms described them as rocking in a rather grown up manner. There are times that I do miss the bite, but overall my listening preferences are consistent with the strengths of the AF's: singer songwriter, acoustic rock, and jazz.
I totally get what you are saying about simplicity though. I recently went to a full function preamp and eliminated a line preamp and a 3 box phono preamp.
Dave
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SF Stradivari, Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp and Super KT Parallel amps; Pass XP 27, Raven One TT, Graham Phantom II arm, Lyra Etna Lamda, Airtight PC1, Bryston 3.14 DAC, Transparent Reference & Wireworld, dedicated treated room 17 X 34 X 9
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