dave weil wrote:

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 20:33:34 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

So, while I am still an "amps is amps" kind of guy (at least
if we are not talking about goofball amps that sound worse
than neutral), I will admit that there is a certain
something about a really well built upscale unit. (This unit
was not better built than the best of the other amps I have
fooled with, but it was still quite nice.) If you can afford
it, I suppose getting something like that is OK. But if you
have to stretch your budget you are an idiot.

Ahhh, so you won't be trashing this amp in print.

Probably not. It is certainly a constructed work of art when
it comes to durability, fit and finish, and, well, just
plain impressive performance below the audible threshold. It
has a world-class S/N, for example and is built to standards
that would shame an M1A1 tank.

What, you're getting
to keep it or something?

Hardly. I have all the amps I can use. I'd like some new TV
monitors, however. The HDTV age is leaving me behind.

I guess now you've changed your tune. Well,
I'll have to say that at least the lightbulb is starting to come on.

Wait and read the review.

Otherwise, you'd be calling anyone who would spend $2600 more than
they need to for an amp a loser, a chump and a buzzkiller for the
hobby.

Obviously, people with lots of surplus cash need to have
something to spend it on. Big-ticket properties give their
lives meaning. Some people would never own a cheap watch or
cheap car, even though they might work just fine for what
watches and cars are supposed to do. They would want a Rolex
or a Lexus, and would not be satisfied with anything else.
That is not my style (cheap is my middle name), but who am I
to deny the rich the right to blow their cash on overkill?

Howard Ferstler