Thanks for that Andy, it was most interesting, but I'm sure you are
mistaken about the percentage of valve amps and the vinyl stuff -
anybody here will tell you they are both in a tiny majority and only of
interest to a few *deranged* anacrophiles....

:-)

The HEathrow Show never represented the majority of "playback
systems" (let's not call them HiFi) as flogged by Richer Sound down to
Woolworths. It's a showcase for the small producers in particular, and
believe me, small manufacturers do still see a future in vinyl and
valves. I'm not kidding - arms and turntables were everywhere, and
valva amps were at least half of what was there. I quite understand
valves, but I don't get vinyl - apart from the rather pleasant sound
(though I'm probably happier with digital sources and a stonkingly
good DAC myself) the disadvantages of jumping up and down to change
sides, replacing a ?500 needle the cat broke, keeping a cleaning
machine in the garage, building 20 sq ft of one foot deep
shelving...... I could go on. but there is admittedly something very
retro-chic about operating one of those esoteric arms and seeing a
thin strand of silk bring Mozart to life.

Andy