I was at my cousin's place a couple of weeks ago in Christchurch.

Went down for a remembrance, as it was 25 years since my dad died.
Nice to have family there.

What a change, since the big 2011 earthquake.
The city is taking shape.
Disconcerting that parents/grandparents houses have all been demolished or replaced.
Whew.

Anyway, listening to my cousin's system.
Had admired it for years.
He has a little more buying power than I do (lots more).

He's looking at upgrading to an Accuphase E-380 integrated amp.
From a McIntosh that must be around 10 years old.

Has just bought a new CD player.
I'm guessing it was an Accuphase DP-450 around NZ$9,500.
Now the dealer is trying to get him to spend NZ$13,000 on the E-380 = synergy.

While I was there, I listened to the McIntosh and DP-450.
There was more resolution than my system, notes hung in the air.
But something wasn't right.
It didn't wow me.
Tried a few tracks.

Don't get me wrong. It was good.
But was off somehow.
Maybe it was the space.
Not conducive to effective sound transmission.

Then he fired up his turntable.
An NZ made Well Tempered, with Dynavector phono amp/Dynavector cartridge.
Put on Leonard Cohen Live at London.
My jaw dropped. Sublime.

My ideas are bouncing around a little, sorry.

He's trying out my Black Ravioli Big Pads.
Had been quoted isolation footers at something like £300 each.