My CT1 ' moment ' was very akin to when I first fired up an ARC SP8 in my system , that was the moment that I consider that I entered into the realm of high end audio .
This is amazing as I can say the exact same thing. My first experience to a good sounding system was the Linn/Naim system in 1979. But it was one night in early 1983 that I heard the SP8 at the ARC dealer in Phoenix at his home. Never never before had I heard a system deliver musicality like that instant. I remember the TT was Oracle, speakers were early Vandersteen, don't remember the amp. This was a forever unforgettable event. I told the dealer I would take the SP8 home right then but he would not sell it as he was enjoying it so much! When was the last time you heard that? A year or so later I got an SP10 and never looked back. These two products set the stage of what my priority would be as I upgraded my system little by little the next 30 years.
Jafox..since trying to believe 3 or 4 guys here on the HF forum doesn't mean much to you,try reading the > 20 reviews by many established reviewers instead.it might help.
An excellent idea. I quit Stereophile and TAS many years ago, but was a HiFi+ fan until Roy Gregory moved on ….which was a major loss. AudioAsylum is a good place for reviews. But this is also why I come to this site….hoping for comments, with no monetary rewards, by people simply looking to improve their home system. Only that this assumes that they will provide comparative commentary of what they have now, and even had before to the product under evaluation. Just saying "Wow, it's the greatest ever", does nothing for me or anybody else.