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Maybe they could make a set of Ayres out of tofu - tofu can be made into anything. That way you could have your cake and eat it too. Am I funny yet?
Yes, the Solo went back some time ago. But not before I came very close to purchasing it. The Solo's a wonderful introduction to hi-fi: it does everything you want it to do, it does it well, and it looks good doing it. It's simple and fun. Something like that is always nice to have around. In fact, I wish I had one here, right now, in my office. I'd play M. Ward's bouncy Post War, followed by Tom Brousseau's teary-eyed Empty Houses, and I'd feel good.
So, yes: I would totally go out and buy the Solo. Actually, I recommend it to all of my friends and family. So far, they haven't listened to me.
I also came very dangerously stupidly completely irresponsibly and irrationally close to buying the Ayre pieces. But what was I thinking? I can't afford them. I guess I figured they'd sort of pay for themselves after awhile; they'd be a kind of investment they'd be my pure and sweet references. But no: it just wouldn't have made sense. I've got bills and debt and, every now and then, I even have to eat.
While I never even considered buying the deliciously powerful and completely bad-ass and downright special Moscode amplifier, I did dream of fleeing the country with it. I'd take her across the border and set her up on some Mexican beach. We'd sit there together all day long, getting sunburns, drinking tequilas and Coronas and munching cheese enchiladas. But, then again, I don't think I'm fit for tubes. My therapist tells me I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder and Charlie Hansen tells me tubes cause anxiety. It would be bad for my health.
One day, though one day, I tell you I'm going to have everything I want. Including a Gibson Hummingbird, a Gretsch Country Gentleman, a Fender Jaguar, a house with a garden, and all the pizza in this world.
Wow, a response to my question in the blog itself! Either I'm special or you're lazy. Good answers, though. Sounds like you're right to focus on more inexpensive gear. That way you won't be tempted by what you can't afford. And maybe tempted by something you can afford. Funny that you bring up the new M. Ward. I need to give it a listen. We do share a name, after all. Two, actually.