I decided to buy my first analogue system ever and went full force with it! The process was a GREAT learning experience thanks to Sead from Bosnia, Thomas from Germany and Peter from France (none I have met in person!)

Very early in the process I narrowed the choice of the turntable to Simon Yorke, JC Verdier and Amazon Level 1. The winner was Amazon and its designer Hartmut Janssen. The table sounds marvelous and is gorgeous. Soon I settled for a phono cube and input chooser. The tough decision was choosing the cartridge. Having had no records, I could not understand why it would cost so much to buy a good cartridge. Thomas, my newly found and trusted friend already owned to Miyabi's just in case! I had also came upon a cartridge called ZYX by Nakatsuka san, an incredible designer...and very modest given his accomplishments. Not wanting to compromise, and as always wanting the best, I opted for both cartridges. I think these two cartridges are some of the best in the world.

When I received the table, Wilco of Amsterdam who happend to be in Tokyo at the time, helped set up my system. First music I listened to, was a John Coltrane record. For the first time in my life, I could hear the sound of a brush storking against the cymballs. The level of the detail was amazing. Then listened to Arvo Part records, and Brigitte Fontaine. Once again, sounds I had not heard before and at a much pronounced volume than listening to the same music on the CD. In fact, when I listen to my analogue system on Essence, I seldom have my Gaincard volume over 9 o'clock.

All the wiring throughout is of course OTA. The only exception is the connection from the tube connection to the phono cube which Teramura san will soon fix for me!