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I joined this forum specifically to record my experiences with Lenehan Audio, who delivered to me the following system last week: iMac front end with BitPerfect running iTunes, 2TB hard disk drive, dedicated to music only Lenehan Audio PDX Level 2 DAC Two Arion HS 500 momblock amplifiers Lenehan Audio interconnects and speaker cables Lenehan Audio ML2 Reference speakers, Porsche Silver in colour, with matched Lenehan Audio stands Two AMG's At the outset I should say I am not an audiophile. I was just looking for a system that would not limit my enjoyment of music, and which might exceed my level of audiophile ability to discriminate, hoping I could grow into an appreciation of it over time. I listened to all usual suspects that are available commercially but did not find what I was looking for at a price I could afford. Eventually I stumbled onto a post by the venerable bhobba of this forum, and started to read about Lenehan Audio. After visiting Mike on the Gold Coast I subsequently went to the ML3 launch in Epping on 12th March, at his invitation. Before parting from Mike at Epping that day I told him I wanted to put my foot on the first pair of ML2 Reference's and took the plunge and ordered the first pair of Arions then and there - all sight unseen and unheard, all done on a handshake. It was a bit of gamble on my part. But those of you who know Mike well will understand why I was prepared to put faith in him. Then we embarked on a long period of communications while the gear was being built (including one to clarify the true ownership of the first pair of Arions as they stumbled into the country!). Many email exchanges (at least 40) and phone calls were involved. I have been watching the forum posts passing by as I waited for my system to arrive, and was relieved to see the generally enthusiastic reception the new gear was getting. The system finally arrived last Wednesday and I had it set up and running by the time Mike arrived at my place in Newcastle on Friday night for the true inauguration. Mike spent about an hour undoing everything thing I had done and setting it all up again. Then we shared wine and food with a room full of friends........and listened. Well I know that I am unable to hear everything that you true audiophiles out there can hear, and I will not attempt to use your abstruse descriptive terms, but I am 100% satisfied. The system both looks and sounds brilliant. The limitations to my appreciation of this system are probably now, in order of importance: Me The room The recordings themselves I know that I have a sound system that will serve me well for years to come. (Perhaps one more addition though..... may be a proper stand with vibration isolation? Has Mike got me looking down the audiophile rabbit hole? How did Alice in Wonderland feel? Does it ever end? Must resist!). But a description of the gear and its performance is not really why I wanted to join this forum. The reason for me joining is really to say a few words about Mike. I have been around the block a few times and know a good'un when I see one. Mike is a first class person and his boundless enthusiasm, transparent honesty and generosity with his time defined my relationship with Lenehan Audio. As I came to grips with putting this system together I found that I could call Mike anytime and get a good hearing and detailed advice, and that he responded to every concern I had. Then, to top it all off Mike came to my place and helped me with the setup during a most pleasant evening, which included some fascinating conversations on the psychology of listening to music and what this means for stereo systems. Mike is a master of his subject. No discussion of this experience would be complete without a comment about value. I am quite convinced that I could not have spend the same amount of money in any other way and got such a great system, and having a personal relationship with the maker only adds to the lustre. Mike tells me that this is "the best system he has put together yet". Perhaps he tells that to all the girls!.........but one only needs to spend a little time with Mike to appreciate that when he says something like this it should be taken seriously....and also to understand that it won't be long before he makes a better one! In case you are wondering, I am not a salesman for Mike, just a very satisfied customer - you can talk to him and listen to his gear if you want to find out for yourself. Thanks Mike, and Clay on the PDX, and also all the crew at Lenehan Audio (who I am told have their production gear smoking right now). Thanks also to those of you who have been in Mike's critical listening circle, and may well have had something to do with the evolution of this gear as well. "Alice"