[wavoman]

Jude made me promise I'd post [never done that on any forum anywhere], so here goes.

I'm new to high-end, and first time at CanJam, obviously! Organizers did a terrific job, and all the oldtimers made me feel most welcome. EZ to start a conversation and learn things. And Ft. Lauderdale is wonderful.

Did u notice a few blocks from the hotel was James Randi Institute -- he is the one offering a million bucks to anyone who can tell the difference between ultra-expensive Pear speaker cables and Radio Shack off-the-rack in a double-blind test ... no takers (loser pays expenses, including the Pears). I knocked on the door but it was closed for the weekend. I'm going back to Ft. Lauderdale for sure, loved it, and maybe I can get in.

Soul of the Machine -- to actually see and feel the passion of the designers/engineers themselves -- Ray Samuels, Eddie from Eddie Current, the Smyth Brothers (amazing, the future, you overlook this technology at your peril), the fellow at Singlepower, Justin from Headamp, was that really a person named Rudi Stor?, etc. etc. was beyond wonderful. It will influence my buying decisions almost as much as the listening tests.

I had to open my ears to open my eyes -- no where else in the world could I audition over two intense days every headphone and every piece of gear my internet searching turned up over the last 6 months (except for one: the Benchmark DAC with headphone amp, strangely missing -- r u listening, Benchmark? u missed a trick). And I was amazed: I like the Senn 600's better than the 650's; the new Stax solid state AMP better than the tube one; crossed the 701's off my short list as too uncomfortable, and so on.

So many dealers spent so much time with me, even though I was surely annoying with my stupid question and little notepad. Special thanks to Stax, Todd TVJ, Eddie Curent, Ray Samuels, Smyth, Ozzie at LTBS, Headroom, Shure, Kimber, Singlepower, Headamp, Moon Audio, Rudistor.

Final thought -- I am a statistician by trade, and I can tell you the raffle shoe box needed more shaking! On Sunday I won 4 times in a stretch of 8 pulls, not bloody likely. But thanks to Crossroads for the neat stuff, although airport security was not amused with all the cables and boxes in my carry-on.

Conclusion: if you care about audio, and you don't go to CanJam, then you're, well, not using your head.

Head-Fi.Org ... you're the best. Thanks again. And count me in. For life.