Originally Posted by Simon
I recall reading some years ago a story about Stradivarius (sp?) violins, and why modern instruments have not been able to capture the same sonic magic.
Well some claim to have done so - in blind if not double blind trials. Check out Nagyvary violins and the 'biotech violins' made by Schwarze and Rhonheimer.

MC200, Twinstore, 808v6/ID41 -> DSP8000SE (+ SB Touch, Sony BDP-3300, SKYHD, legacy cassette player)
2nd system: MC200 analogue out, Linn LP12, SB3 -> Quad 34 -> M60 rosewood
F80 (Rubino Micallizzato)
F80 (Rosso Corsa)