Bondman, The Khartago is an excellent recommndation, but I am recently troubled by reports that this amp and the Stratos have been know to have reliability problems
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Jed, Not to worry, I am just considering a possible longterm downgrade. So, Wally can't help; and I don't know Steward; but, do know Shawn at Hawaii HIFI who intends to have a wine, cheese, listening night, but I still have not heard. That is about the closest I will get to an audio society in Hawaii. Actually, in many ways I am satisfied with the sound of the system. I have have been evaluating some inexpensive speaker cables like Clear Day and Audio Arts, and rcently have been recommended a speaker cable called DNM which is reasonable.
However, I was advised many years ago when I was audio floor salesman to rotate out, that is, sell my equipment before it loses market value, The longer you keep it, the less chance you have to sell it at a fair price. I am considering moving out my Rega P3-24 Dynavector 10X5 MC combo, but I have not made a final decision. The other consideration or factor is that I never planned to stay in Hawaii forever, and so need to sell some pieces off so as to cut down on shipping costs back to the mainland
Ultimately, I see the system with just a CD player (hopefully either the Rega Saturn or Ayre CX-7 mp2) pre-amp, amp, and a high quality monitor which I would buy after resettling in California. Or, Possibly a super quality integrated amp instead of separates.
Regrettably, the older I get(now 65) high-end audio becomes less of an obsession or should I say, preoccupation. After doing audio since 1972, it is sad to find myself in this state of mind, but life moves on and one's values and interests change. Regards, Jim
