...Audio Note dealer doesn't sell 'em anymore.

Well, first of all, it wasn't THAT local - about 60 miles. It was, however, the closest I had (here on Long Island, New York). He has a few brands I was very interested in hearing (and I believe I told you before) AN, Von Schweikert and Spendor.

According to him, the Spendors are the way to go if you wanna pony up. "Beauty" in the mids is the reason. The Von Schweikerts are the "value leader" from reading between the lines... many different priced speakers. His "no-brainer", under $10,000 transducer is the VR4. The other reason he couldn't move them is they NEED (according to him) corner placement. Not too room-friendly, apparently.

He still loves and sells the AN tubed electronics.

As I said, a bit bummed, but I'm not giving up - I still have a store in Manhattan to sample the ANs.

We'll see about those Spendors...