is burning in. It's amazing that the amp needs to burn in again, lol. It's getting sweeter and sweeter as it does though. I will say that it's a totally new amp. It only has to handle the 100hz and up now. It's sounding much much more dynamic and is never out of breath no matter what I play or how loudly I push it.
I just don't understand why active speakers aren't more popular in the US. The manufacturer can maximize what the driver (made by Vandersteen's in their case) can do. When you go active on the bass like the Quatro through 7 mk II's, you really free up any amp you are using and it makes it an even better amp. My Ayre is running even cooler, which makes sense. IT's more dynamic and sounds even better than the original. Just wonderful synergy.
For those who have an integrated and don't want extra boxes or cables, you need to put the Quatro or 5's on your shortest of lists of speakers.