I love reading this thread, because you guys are so nice to each other, and the tone is so genteel. Keep it up. While you were talking about single malt scotch, I was reminded of my dear friend who is also an Aussie. Three of us, my friend Ian from Melbourne and another friend who is also a retired scientist from my area here in Washington, DC, did a road trip through the American south last fall and had a great time. During that trip, we sampled (ex-Australia) "Sullivans Cove", the one that was voted world's best on one or two occasions. Have you tasted that one, Henry? I thought it was very good but not hands down better than, say, 25-year old Macallam's.
I might note here that the Copernican Theory as expounded by Henry was never about whether the tonearm was more or less important than the turntable; it was about outboard arm pods vs mounting the arm rigidly to the turntable. In the end, I thought we all agreed that a massive pod sitting on the same shelf with the turntable (a la Henry's set up) works about as well as a rigid link. Over the course of time and bluster, Henry and I moved off our original intransigent and opposing positions and found some middle ground.
I might note here that the Copernican Theory as expounded by Henry was never about whether the tonearm was more or less important than the turntable; it was about outboard arm pods vs mounting the arm rigidly to the turntable. In the end, I thought we all agreed that a massive pod sitting on the same shelf with the turntable (a la Henry's set up) works about as well as a rigid link. Over the course of time and bluster, Henry and I moved off our original intransigent and opposing positions and found some middle ground.