Dear Abby, I adore my wife and kids ...

[1KW]

Originally Posted by Alberto

First of all, thank you for all the responses. It was not a rhetorical question and all your opinions really helped. The rational/audiophile parts of my brain were fighting with the more emotional parts.

Had the gift been from my wife, I would have had no problem returning it (we've been (happily) married for 20+ years so we have understandings over these things.) But the driving force behind this purchase was my daughter and she was really excited about it. She thought she had found "the perfect gift" and talked my wife (who usually knows better) into it. I live my life going mostly with my rational brain and this seemed like a great opportunity and the right time to indulge into some right-brain thinking. Assuming it does not break before the return period, I am keeping the thing - and I will probably gut it a little later and put some better quality components in it - perhaps one of my DIY SET amps driven by a Tivoli audio tuner.

Thanks again for all the suggestions, they really helped! (votes were roughly 8 to 1 for keeping it, BTW).

Alberto

Great idea, you have a little project to fool around with now

[jdandy]

Alberto.......I don't think I would touch it, as far as turning it into a project. In the future, this might make the perfect college dorm gift for your daughter. It would be your opportunity to give it back to her, and her opportunity to continue to love something she gave you with love. Keep it on a table some where, play it every now and then so she can see you enjoying it, save the box and instructions, and ultimately return it to her when she can actually use it herself.