Well, I pulled the volume control back out and put the 100K Caddocks back in, big difference! I didn't notice the difference when I put the volume control in but when I removed it the difference was obvious, the bass is back in spades (sub amps fed high level from the Stereomour) and the music has returned with it's ability to draw you in, dynamics, etc and all of the audiophile jargon, basically it sounds a lot better.
Now if I can get rid of the slight low level non volume dependent hum/buzz from my Tranquility SE I will be set. The iPod input I have set up for my son doesn't have this issue, dead quiet. I have tried eliminating the AC ground from the Tranquility, that didn't have any impact.
I am also still trying to come up with a way to remove a bit of the gain so that I can run MPD at near 100% volume (direct connect from the Tranquility to the Stereomour). I tried wiring the Stereomour for 45 use with the 2a3s, didn't work out too well, now it seemed to clip at low levels, my smallish (in value not size) parafeed caps could have been an issue. So I have gone back to 2a3 wiring.
Best,
Ed