The death of my Yamaha CD player is the catalyst to move into the 21st century, reduce the box count in the media cabinet and more importantly make space for coffee cups on the coffee table by reducing the remote control count from 7 to 1.

First, my sincere thanks to many contributers who have already saved me much money and months of trial and effort. After 3 days of almost solid reading the head is spinning with your collective wisdom. So, the current thinking is:

Why does a video DVD recorder with a hard drive only cost a couple hundred bucks while the same hardware for audio such as Cambridge or Olive cost $1000? Can I use a DVD recorder as an audio server?

I'm looking for places to audition Rega Amps and Wharfedale speakers (not necessarily together) in NYC, as well as other NYC area dealers that you would recommend for someone just starting out.

Places I have checked out - SBS, Harvey (19, 21 45 Street locations), Lyric Hi Fi, Stereo Exchange, Park Ave Audio - heard lots of good stuff, but unfortunately none of them had Rega or Wharfedale. I have searched a lot on this and other forums, which is how I got some of the names listed above.
I appreciate the help. Thank you.

I just finished reading this article http://www.stereophile.com/news/010508ref/

I've recently acquired a new Yamaha Rx 797 receiver and Yamaha S1700 DVD/CD player.
Now I'm in the market for a pair of new bookshelf speakers and considering the Totem Mites. I'm wondering if anyone has paired the mites with a Yamaha Rx 797 and if so how did it sound?

Clicky here for the hoopy scoopy.

Before I assume that I will never receive my January issue?