Bluemage,

Having read your post, I wanted to congratulate you on your audio system and that what you have built stands a memorial to your father. I can imagine that you will bring his memory with you for many hours of listening.

Thank you for the kind words, gentlemen. When I fire it up for the first time, I’ll break out my UHQR Steely Dan albums and play them loudly in honor of my old man. I’m having a custom table built to house all the gear, and I can’t wait to get it all together. I look forward to many years of sonic bliss!

You'll be thinking of your Dad a lot during music sessions. And so many other things that just hit ya. I am so sorry. Play some for him too. Always~  Mike

Thanks a lot for the kind comments, everyone!

Yeah, I really want to break out the gear. But if I’ve waited this long, I may as well extend it another 6 months and get everything as intended for my endgame rig! In the meantime, my Sherwood tube amp, my Pro-ject TT with Sumiko Blue Point cart, and vintage Norman laboratories model 10 speakers will keep me going!

My condolences to you and the family. Just wanted to echo the sentiments of the others. I’m sure your system will sound great and your old man will be proud of the new system!

Enjoy the listening and make new memories in honor of your father!

Good luck with the rest of the rig!

Thanks again, folks, the sentiments are much appreciated! And yes, the old man's spirit is with me every time I sit down to listen to records. Although, I wasn't able to listen to SD's Gaucho for a good year after he died. That first spin was a rough one.

My first order of business is to save up for a matched set of WE 300B, then I'll continue on with my speaker/cart fund. I was hoping to score a Koetsu, but hearing that the owner died and that no more will be made, has me rethinking the whole thing. I'll be mating the cart to a Groovemaster III tonearm, and might end up going with a higher end Ortofon SPU.

For speakers, I was considering going with LaScala AL5s, but speaking with MK60 and his issue with humming, I might opt for a bit less sensitivity and go with Cornwall IVs. Not to mention, that I'd be saving up for a much shorter time. That said, I'd probably have speakers already, had I not got distracted half way in and indulged in another analog pleasure: a new Leica MP (35mm film camera). In the end it was worth it, as lots of time in the darkroom helped keep me from worrying about Decware's long list too much!

As the ADOX motto goes, the best things in life are analog!

My condolences as well, recently lost both parents 23 hrs apart.

You mentioned Koetsu carts, have you ever looked at Phasemation carts? It’s on my radar but not right now. In my reading the Koetsu comes up as an equal comparison. Buying one from a US outlet is costly, direct from Japan cuts the cost significantly.

This must be a crazy rush! Up, down, AND side to side. It seems, from here, that you have a handle on it, though. Your finalized system will be end game worthy for sure. I am looking forward to following along! Congrats!

Posting now that this original post has been up a bit longer: This getting older bit can SUCK. Another rather large stroke right in the middle of our wait. That was the second of what we actually think were three over the last few years. (A neck injury caused dissection/scarring and ignored for many years.) It is why I stalled on the order in the first place. Was hoping it would not have happened again. Took a couple of months to speak much at all. And more recently, writing/typing has slowly come around some. Takes a long time to even type this. I'm so Blessed regardless..LUCKY too. But I do get irritated at myself pretty often, because I can do better. Also, losing people we care for and love so often now. Don't forget to tell your people how much they mean. A bit more often. More important than anything....... I hope the very best for everyone. Build Back Better~  Mike    ~My sense of humor is NOT dead yet either though...    ;)