I agree that having more than one system can have its benefits. I'd love to own a genuine top-notch all-vintage system housed in a separate room, as well as my current system - purely because I love the look and 'feel' of vintage gear, regardless of any aspects relating to sound quality.

However, I would not run more than one system simply to provide me with different types of musical and/or sonic presentation, as suggested by Clive. Each to his or her own of course, but as my current system does both 'edge-of-the-seat' and 'laid-back', depending on the type of music played, and also how loud I choose to listen, I have no need to seek either type of effect.

I understand what Clive means, of course, but if I'm listening to, say, some throbbing rock or thrash metal then I have the system (and particularly speakers) to create very serious SPLs and the most 'physical', visceral, 'edge-of-the-seat' sound you could possibly imagine outside of a live gig, when of course it is played at the appropriate volume.

The problem is, most systems can’t play seriously loud (thereby creating the desired 'edge-of-the-seat' excitement) and also sound fantastic at the same time by staying controlled and not losing the plot. I am fortunate that my system does this with relative ease. Similarly, it has the subtlety, finesse, delicacy and overall resolution to present more 'delicate' types of music in a highly relaxing and informative matter, again when played at the appropriate volume; thereby achieving the best of both worlds

Returning to Jerry's method, I think it's important to remember that he's not box-swapping to 'fix' problems or chase some unattainable goal, but rather to hear his favourite music reproduced in a different way and in turn unlock hitherto unheard information which provides him with greater insight into recordings that he's intimately familiar with.

If one is unperturbed by the 'hassle' this involves on a number of levels, I find his a laudable approach - and one that can potentially be highly rewarding

Marco.