I used to regularly haunt all of the audio stores in Hamilton and area. And there were lots in the 70s and 80s: Anderson Sound, Schneider Sound, Globe Audio, Westdale Audio and Ancaster Audio. I listened to countless systems in these shops and in friend's rooms. Only two times I heard a system reproduce music so realistically that I was gobsmacked. The first was a system of a friend's friend that I still consider to this day as the best I've ever heard (that'll be a future post). The second was at Analogue Emporium in Hamilton owned by the incomparable Matt Brazeau. His store was an old home in the east end and his main audio room was a 14' x 30' living room. I walked in while he was playing "Fever" by Elvis Presley on "Elvis is Back" vinyl. I stopped frozen in rapt awe. The speakers? Meadowlark Shearwaters. I had to have them. But I couldn't afford them. I could afford the Kestrel HRs (after a year of saving) so I bought them from Mike Oddie at Alternative Audio in Dundas. After three happy years Mike let me take home a used pair of Shearwaters to audition at home. After days of listening to both speakers I chose the Shearwater HRs and used the Kestrels as a trade in. 17 years later here I am still in awe of these amazing speakers. 
I cannot see me upgrading. They are that good!
I cannot see me upgrading. They are that good!
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