Hi all.

Thanks for the information, it is definately all extra food for thought. Plenty to digest lol.

Welcome aboard challengaaah to the best audio forum on this planet lol. I appreciate
your feedback. Yes I have heavily considered the points you raised, particularly purchasing
from overseas. I found several companies will not provide a warranty if you purchase
from overseas when I pursued this on the official sites.

The hassle to ship here, pay the extra postage, assuming it does not get stopped
at customs, is one thing, but to ship it back for repair, then wait for it to come back,
just even more hassle, the cost for the postage is not covered by warranty. As strange as
it sounds, I am willing to pay the exta 10 to 20% if I can get the components local.

I must say I have not been too impressed with Harvey Norman and most of the other
similar chain shops, not one would say have 'hi-end' gear. I have been rather impressed
with the monster cable range, I'm about to place an order from a US supplier for the
top end cables. I will be able to future-proof with these cables, at least for several
years, and they will still be cheaper to what Harvey Norman will charge.

Retail will be highway robbery in WA, unfortunately there's no such thing as being
smart enough to make anything half decent here, so it's all imports. Some shops
however really know their stuff and I've been around the block long enough to know
whether they know what they are talking about.

I wouldn't mind obtaining a Cedia qualification, but then I'd have to work in the industry.
Well if the money was right...

The amp is going to be my major concern. I still need a replacement, I know I can get
much more out of my DynAudio Contours.

To date I've been impressed only with McIntosh. The other brands I have auditioned, just
have some aspects missing. It may be possible due to poor set up, but you'd think
they'd all set it up to optimal conditions.