Hi BS,
Didn't seriously listen to the Rubicons on spikes. Ran them in for 48 hours before switching to GAIAs. In that time it was obvious that the extra output in the bottom octave was causing some boom and overhang, which was not apparent with the Opticons. The GAIAs instantly transformed them and within a few bars of Across the River on SACD, I knew they were keepers. They sit on granite slabs on top of carpeted suspended floor and sound wonderful to my ears. The effect on the mid range is equally surprising. Bass boom is a killer. I have heard many high-end systems over the years and am more than happy with this system. Admittedly, not quite Martin Logan ESLs and Mcintosh that I once heard in Singapore, but close enough and less than a quarter of the price.
Meanwhile the Opticons are performing well in their new role. Now on spikes through thick carpet to relatively inert concret below. Would I buy GAIAs for them? Nope. No need. GAIAs benefits will depend on your room and flooring. Also not much point if they are fed a diet of mushy, flatulent bass from low def sources and compressed files IMHO.
Hope the new amp arrives in good shape. Both Big fish and I suffered a dropped PM14 box delivered by DPD. Peter Tyson replaced it immediately. Sad to see lovingly built and packaged HiFi treated with so little respect.