Originally Posted by WhyFi

Sometimes better is a matter of preference and sometimes better is just better. If you were to sit down with all three, I'm sure that you'd have a preference, but I think that it would be a small preference rather than a "better is better" type of situation. That said, it would still be the Rega that gets my money. They have a budget 'table pedigree that no one else can match and, while out-of-the-box sonic differences may or may not be huge, that pedigree shouldn't dismissed - it means parts (original and upgraded) and support because of a built-in, decades long following. So, if we were looking at a check-list, I'd give the Rega slender victories in: a) out-of-the-box hardware/performance b) better long-term viability because of parts availability and c) better future performance potential because of upgradeability. That you have a shop nearby would be the icing on the cake (as long as they're not French showers, which is not terribly uncommon, unfortunately) and making friends with the tech is always a good thing.

Would buying a Pro-Ject or a rebadged Pro-Ject be a bad thing? No and, in fact, if they had a local presence and Rega did not, I'd probably lean the other way. All things equal, though -- Rega.

Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets

BillyD

Originally Posted by ahsposo

Happy Birthday BillyD!

Originally Posted by datlas

Maybe because he was an avid cyclist?

Originally Posted by rpenmanparker

Many, many more Bill. And enjoy the Jack. You deserve it.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer

...latest research indicates this may help with prostate health.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer

...if you just go up the coast road as much as you can, you'll see most of what you shouldn't miss.
Don't be reluctant to stop and admire the views. Don't attempt to make time...it's slow going in places.

There's the whole section called the lost coast region , but most of the trees in there are second growth.

Ferndale is kind of a neat little town, but you really have to want to go in there, because there's no easy,
direct route over into the lost coast. Worthy of a diversion if you have the time, there's not much in the
way of traffic, and some nice, empty stretches of Pacific coastline.


If you get strapped for time, you need to cut across inland and go up the other road (101).

Originally Posted by rpenmanparker

And enjoy the Jack.

Originally Posted by datlas

You mean wanking?

Originally Posted by Herbie53

I don't think I've done that, but we did once find something called the "Lost Highway". As best I recall it was a bit south of there where route 1 goes east to join 101. It was more or less and unmarked path/dirt road off of Rt. 1. We followed it all the way down to the beach.

The route was much like that "death highway" thing from the Dicovery Channel.. little dirt road cut into a shear cliff... cliff on one side, drop the the ocean on the other.

Some of most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. It was bit nerve racking, but the sunset on the beach was worth it.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer

...not sure where that is exactly, but if it goes off of 1 you were in the area.

The big adventure road is Mattole Road out of Ferndale, over to Ettersburg and vicinity.

Ettersburg is kinda cool because there are some relict apple orchards there left from the days of Albert Etter, arguably one of the great plant breeding geniuses here in California, who is only less famous than Luther Burbank because he lacked Burbank's genius for self promotion.

If you're into apples (I am) and live in California, Greenmantle Nursery sells some of these varieties today (by mail).

Originally Posted by coasting

birthdays are for the weak.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer

...latest research indicates this may help with prostate health.

Originally Posted by Bah Humbug

And happy birthday Sheriff, you filthy Cowboys fan.