Hey everyone,

I'm in the planning stages of building my first decent 2ch home audio system. My question is pretty simple: Can you haggle with audio dealers and if so, what percentage off should I consider a good deal?

Here's what I'm looking at purchasing from a local dealer as of now:

Rega p2 or Rega p3/24
Onkyo a-9555 or Rotel ra-1062
Usher S-520 or Polk lsi(7)(9) or B&W 685s

Is anyone familiar with VMPS speakers? How do they sound? VMPS seems a very strange company - their speaker line seems to encompass different design theories throughout from one model to another.

I wonder if anyone has had any experience with them.

Thanks

hi
i have ML purity with Arcam integrated Amp
I plugged my ipod into the amp
and it sounded very very small (compared to when I played on turning table)
i cranked up the amp all the way to max
it was still not so loud and I was very surprised/worried
is there anything wrong that I could fix(such as connection problem etc)?
or is it normally how it is?

oh and is it ok to just leave the amp and speaker turned on all the time?
or should I turn them off?
which one am I supposed to turn off first?

Do film scores get any love around here? I've been a huge fan for years, but don't see discussions come up often in audiophile circles. Why not?

heres mine..

1: Easton Stagger Phillips : One For The Ditch
2: Calexico, Carried to Dust
3: WovenHand-10 Stones
4: Bonnie "Prince" Billy : Lie Down In The Light
5: Gentleman Jesse and His Men, s/t
6: Centro-matic / South San Gabriel : Dual Hawks
7: Old 97's : Blame It On Gravity
8: Ryan Adams and the Cardinals--Cardinology
9: Blue Mountain - Midnight in Mississippi
10: Bon Iver, For Emma Forever Ago

the REM Murmur re-release is up there for me too..

I have been following a lot of threads on issues where science seems to fly in the face of experience. I have also posted a good bit about cable and power cord changes in my modest system. I am not any sort of a scientist and cannot tell the BS from the ambrosia when folk get into those areas. I am a pretty good listener of my own gear and the music I like and know.

The reason I ask is because he never seems to mention them anymore. It's not that I need the validation of knowing he really does own and enjoy them. I'm just curious. He gave them such a glowing write-up and then stated he bought a pair. Then, I guess he put them in a closet; a really big closet, never to be heard from again.

I bought a pair a few months ago and I love them them; especially with subs.

I'm hoping the NY Times article mentioned recently here indicates a trend for women to become serious audiophiles in increasing numbers. I'm not holding my breath however. For as long as I can remember this has been a male, almost exclusively hetro game, especially on forums and newsgroups.
Which reminds me - I know Stephen M is supposed to be straight but when I laid eyes on his expression in the attached shot I found myself wondering if that grin is one of lust, envy or simple admiration for the technology.