Slaw et al
I know you think I turn over my equipment too rapidly but I do have my reasons ( to me at least).
I know EXACTLY the sound I like and am looking for/require and if a new piece is not even close then I am just not going to waste any of my time trying to make it so. Now if it is close then yes I will tweak away to see if the golden egg is there, often times not but I will try.
Now the sound I am looking for is probably not what others are seeking and that is fine, at my stage and time of life the only thing that matters is , do I like the sound in my room, period.
I truly do not care if some others may consider it too warm or not accurate or too false a soundstage ( just examples, not saying that is what I have!).
Its my room, my music and my ears.
So tbh the Chinook has never really grabbed me, not quite what I wanted but I worked with it.
The phonomena on the other hand was a near instant fit and a few simple tweaks have brought it even closer to "ubervana".
I have a number of carts premounted on headshells and aligned so simple quick changes are achieved with just a balance of vtf and a tweak of vta, both very easily done on the micro seiki arm.
I am VERY close to total musicality from my system for my ears and that is ALL that matters.
As you say time is short and precious and when I get home to relax I do not want to be messing with anything, just play and go.
Hope that makes some sense...…...
