Liz...

Music quality may have always been there, just on the higher end of the spectrum. As far as the fascination/focus with surround sound...I wonder if it might simply be the case of the newness of the technology, and the availability of digital format. Mass marketing (box stores) focuses on HT. Which ultimately feeds into the idea of the "latest and greatest" syndrome. I keep reading new posts of audio people wanting to know when the next gen 990/Outlaw is coming out. With many vague statements of "I can't wait any more" I'm going to buy Onkyo or NAD (for immediate example) to get HDMI 1.3.

What I appreciate regarding some of the threads in the Audiogon and several other forums...the respect for past/vintage products and the understanding of sonic value in a component. Audiophiles seeking out vintage gear because of its sonic quality. There is no vintage gear in the surround realm, Unfortunately, it's always changing.

The internet has opened up my perceptions to all of the different audio potentials. I tried reading my dad's Stereophile magazines years ago, but the prices turned me off. I could never afford what the magazine was reviewing. However, in my sparse economic and nomadic state, I was able to put together some semblance of sonic sanity.

Now that I am able to extend my budget a bit, my research has expanded beyond the box stores. Please correct me if I wrong Altec, tubes seem to be prevalent in two channel audio. Even though there was a shift with the advancement of solid state in the 80's, it seems now the focus is swinging back to tubes because of economics of manufacturing. Simply tube components are becoming more affordable to the budget conscious buyer. Also, the hi-fi stores slowly disappeared in the 90's. OR...maybe the advent of the compact disc through a major wrench into the whole analog world.

The general public/consumer is not able to maintain the knowledge of oh, say "Altec" or "Gonk". Some of us have to play catchup when our perceptions open up to a wider view of the audio world. Thank dog for the internet.

Pardon my digression from the original cable thread (a few barley pops with visiting family) . I live in a small, low economic community...so I don't often get to talk about my audiophile obsession.

One further note...which is important. For quite a few years, I had wanted to purchase separates (which I was raised on). I waited ten years. I watched the growth of Outlaw for almost six years. My two channel sonic obsession didn't reignite until I purchased the 990/7125 a few months ago. I have bought more cd's in the last few months, then combined over the last three or four years. I wanted to wait for the next gen 990, but the "Double Down" promo got me. Purchasing the 990 has motivated me to move forward in refining my system...on a non-profit budget.

So Liz...I got lost in the surround format...but the 990 brought my focus back to the importance of two channel fidelity.

Now I am looking forward to the tweakings.

AK