"Robert Morein" wrote in message ...
My first really good system:
Rectilinear III's, driven by a Hafler DH-200 amp, a DH-110 preamp, and the
so-cool looking DH-330 tuner.

Prior to that, a Heath AR-1500 and an AR turntable, driving the above.

I envy you your "early" system.

When I ended up purchasing the Bose 901's I had gone in seeking the
Rectilinear III's which the dealer had in stock. They had the Bose set
up favorably and the III's...well let's just say not well set-up...I
was only 18 or so, and I was given (with all due and sincere respect
to the man) Julian Hirsch's "five-star" review on the Bose to read.
Partly because of the sound, due to biased speaker positioning and the
demo material as I was later to understand, along with the "expert
engineering" POV's that I read, I succumbed to buying the Bose. To
give credit to the dealer, when I returned them later they gave full $
trade-in.

At one time I owned the same Hafler products you mentioned, as well as
some later incarnations, and I regard them all as offering excellent
value. I never have had an AR, darn the luck, and broke my teeth on
Garrards and Duals before moving on. I never had a Heath product but
an ealry audio mentor was all over DIY stuff in those days and I came
to appreciate of it's legendary position.