Guys,
I'm relocating to China in a few weeks. I'm NOT moving my gear, and this for three reasons:

i) I'm not sure my Quad ESLs will fancy any travel, and in any case. I do not want to take the risk.

ii) It's a good opportunity to sample local gear, being able to buy direct (at least, I'll try).

iii) Bargaining with my MSO for new gear will be easier, as I'll have no gear at all there, and prices are sweeter than here in Europe.

I'm entertaining the idea of a tube integrated amp at a target price of $500 or less, but may go higher. I've seen many Jolida products, some say it's great and some say it has muddy bass. Are Japanese products superior in built and sound quality, than the Chinese?

Are there any good source material that will explain technology like push/pull design, triode, and such.

Anyone out there been the victim of new Audiogon proceedures? They are ignoring any Email, asking about being reclassified to Commercial Status, doubling fees! When this occures, all attempts to reach their Marketing Dept. are ignored. Complain too much, and they will cancel your account. their focus seems to be where they make the most, Commercial Sellers. It appears that they no longer value the Private Seller! Have any of you run into their NEW guidelines?
51derrill

This may seem like a peculiar question, especially since I don

I am considering a speaker purchase in the $3500 range on the USED market and I've been having difficulties deciding. There are quite a number of speakers in that price range used that I haven't heard, so I was hoping for some recommendations.

These are the speakers that I heard and liked albeit not in that price range:

Avantgarde Duos and Trios - simply lovely. The trios are the best speakers by far I've ever heard.

JM Lab Utopia - I like the original better than the Be. Although the Be version is an objectively better speaker, the original spoke to me.