Syntax you are correct there is some relationship that is or was going on in the past. The designer of Amg owns the factories that manufactured parts for brinkman tt. Werner Roeschlau whom I met at CES last year, I got to say he is extremely nice. The room was packed with people trying to get face time an chat about his design. Thing is I'm 6.2 and full tattoos I don't look like your average audiophile. I'm a retired music producer and studio owner who fights mixed martial arts for fun. So I was blown away by his interest to spend so much time with me discussing what makes his arm and tt unique. I've been going to ces for years and this was the first time a designer cared enough to go in to length about his product with excitement and energy And I didn't even own one at the time. Werner is extremely intelligent in all aspects of his design. Lewm said it best it's not about what the tt name is but more about how the tt interprets the needle in the grove and makes music. And as for the price of admission with the AMG I think it is fair. I can only assume that by owning the factories and machines to manufacture his design the savings was passed on to the purchaser. If another company was to sell this tt I believe the price would be a lot more.