Thought I'd share some deatils of my visit on Sunday with 2x6. Drove to his new palatial hill-top home - ocean views, sea breezes, what a spoiled bastard! - and was treated very nicely. The house is just flat out awesome! And 2x6 is OK, too.

Ironically, in this multi-million dollar home we spent most of our time listening to music from a $20 Chinese T-amp through some $15 Michaura speakers! That is what they call "irony", ain't it? I'm not sure that the T-amp has the sound everyone is looking for, but it is a stunning little bit of equipment. I was just amazed that the little thing was capable of making ANY music. It weighed about as much as a pack of smokes!

My only disappointment was that the big Thiels weren't set up (that and he only had two beers in the frig! ). I would have loved to hear those behemoths (and drink a sixer of someone else's beer). Maybe next time.

This forum has been fantastic in many ways: learning about HT and audio in general, making new friends, communicating with folks far flung across the globe... Very cool.

Thanks again, 2x6, for inviting me over. You have a standing invite to come out to my place anytime.

The wife loved those onion bagels this morning, muchos gracias.

You're welcome anytime BigWill! I'll make sure there's enough brew in the fridge next time ("Beer, proof of G-d's love for man ..." Ben Franklin), and thanks for the wonderful cigars.

BTW, those Michaura M55s cost me $19 a piece, not $15. (Closer to $100 a pair after ubid shipping costs). I upgraded them with Jensen paper/oil caps which cost MUCH more than the speakers. (MSRP for the M55s was about the same as M22s as I recall.)

Anyway, I think the T-Amp and Ah! Njoe Tjoeb driving the M55s sounded great. BigWill was graciously silent as to his opinion.

The Big Thiels will be hooked up with the AudioQuest Midnight 2 Hyperlitz cables, Yamaha M80s, etc., next time you're over, and the tube amp as well. Look forward to seeing you again soon!

Well...when in the BBQ at your place. I'll bring the beer!

The landscaping should be in not too long down the road. Honored to have you over lomb7. Bring your ears and favorite CDs.

Hold on pard. I never said that the T-amp setup sucked. I just don't think it was as good as the actual tube amp/Ah njoe!/Michaura setup you had in your old place. Not even close. And I know that I like your M22-like Michauras regardless of the source. I'll take as many of those as you can get at $100/pr, much less $19.

I can also definitely see a use for the T-amp at my place. That thing, a walkman and my bookshelf speakers could go in any room at the drop of a hat to provide low level music for poker games. No heavy lifting, or heavy investment, required.

BTW, have you given a spin to that unlabeled disc I dropped off at your place?

Not yet, going to trial tomorrow. Homework. Can't wait to get the tube amp massaged and set up!

hmmm...a weekend in San Diego sounds nice.

If anyone is up for a BBQ in San Diego I am hosting. I have a few flavors of speakers we could play with.