Thiel Owners

jafant,
Audio Consulatants- bought my Forte' electronics from them

Pro Musica- bought my ProAc speakers from them

Quintessence Audio- bought my first Spectral electronics and Avalons from them

Holm Audio - bought my Manley Steelhead from them

Essential Audio- bought my Kuzma TT from Brian at Axpona in April

Jafant...

Take your time, invest your time, it's your money and they're your ears.  I've bought quite a few items from Stereo Exchange in NYC without a hitch, it being one of the VERY few stores you can still just walk right into without an appointment.  Alan C.,  and owner David are just nice peeps to do business with.  The gear I purchased, 2 pairs of Totem loudspeakers, 2 McIntosh amps etc. were all in stock.  (That's just the new stuff I bought there, I've bought used as well.)

Of course, building your reference system around Thiel commands the patience you're demonstrating.  I'd probably have bought and sold a good many things already. 

Oh yeah, just for the record, I haven't bought anything this week. 

Jafant if you’re willing to think a bit outside the box, as I see the same brands being recommended to you repeatedly how about Gryphon? There are some very knowledgeable folks out there who consider their gear amongst the very best SS amplification out there. No US distribution currently but there are some used models on Agon right now and Gryphon does provide service in the US just not sales according to their website.

re: Stereo Exchange in NYC, before the net and Audiogon, et al, my friends and I would get excited as we came towards Presidents day; as Stereo Exchange would have their annual sale, great prices on everything, but especially used gear, and they stood behind their sales. The last time I was there it seemed as though it was mostly home theatre stuff. When I inquired as to why this was, I was told without the home theatre stuff they probably couldn't exist.