A honey of an integrated

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marvda1
marvda1 Posts: 4,871
in Electronics
Looking for a great integrated amp that is within reach of a lot more audiophiles than this super high priced stuff, take a read.
https://www.thesoundadvocate.com/2020/08/norma-revo-ipa-140b-integrated-amplifier-critique/
Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Puritan PSM156
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Comments

  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,513
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    Very good review, Marv.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
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    Excellent review Marv. Though I dunno about being in reach at 7 grand. Especially in today's job market. Glad your diggin' it though. Have you had a chance to mix in any other dacs with it yet ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,183
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    I think it sounds awesome and made me drool. I'll have to wait until it goes on sale at a 90% discount :D
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,001
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    Well-done, Marv. Curious...have you ever tried a Cary SI-300.2d? I have the Cary, so any comparisons would be helpful between these two integrateds.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    tonyb wrote: »
    Excellent review Marv. Though I dunno about being in reach at 7 grand. Especially in today's job market. Glad your diggin' it though. Have you had a chance to mix in any other dacs with it yet ?

    Not yet, but I'll try it with the musical paradise to see how it sounds introducing tubes.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,519
    edited August 2020
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    Good review Marvin
    A little up there in cost though, reading your initial post, I did not expect 7K retail.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    jdjohn wrote: »
    Well-done, Marv. Curious...have you ever tried a Cary SI-300.2d? I have the Cary, so any comparisons would be helpful between these two integrateds.

    the only integrated amps I have had recently is the mastersound and kinki.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    Joey_V wrote: »
    Good review Marvin
    A little up there in cost though, reading your initial post, I did not expect 7K retail.

    take a look at the pass labs or ayre integrateds.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
    edited August 2020
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    for more affordable norma integrated amps they have a 75 watt for $3k and a 70 watt for $4500.
    https://www.audiothesis.com/norma
    as a point of reference the pass labs int-25 at 25 watts per channel is $7250
    Post edited by marvda1 on
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,001
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    Well-done, Marv. Curious...have you ever tried a Cary SI-300.2d? I have the Cary, so any comparisons would be helpful between these two integrateds.

    the only integrated amps I have had recently is the mastersound and kinki.
    The Cary is a beast with 300WPC into 8ohms, and 450WPC into 4ohms. It has XLR inputs and incorporated DAC.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • jumpindick
    jumpindick Posts: 428
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    Good review, Marvin.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
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    jdjohn wrote: »
    marvda1 wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    Well-done, Marv. Curious...have you ever tried a Cary SI-300.2d? I have the Cary, so any comparisons would be helpful between these two integrateds.

    the only integrated amps I have had recently is the mastersound and kinki.
    The Cary is a beast with 300WPC into 8ohms, and 450WPC into 4ohms. It has XLR inputs and incorporated DAC.

    How's that dac sound in the Cary ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,001
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    It's pretty darn sweet, Tony. I've tried a few CD players, Logitech SBT, even a Nativ Vita into the various digital inputs, and all is muy bueno. With both Wi-Fi and BlueTooth capabilities, the Cary has not only power galore, but features galore.

    But no headphone output!!! >:)
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,129
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    After talking with Marvin about the Norma, the review just reinforced everything I’ve heard Marvin say about that amp, and everything I’ve heard from it myself. Very clearly laid out and right on the money.

    I also love Marvin’s mixed taste in music. I was not expecting to see The Weeknd referenced in his music selection, but so glad that one made it in there.

    On the price point, I’ll add that it’s Norma’s top of the line integrated. There are more affordable options in the same line. Under $10K is considered pretty reasonable for a lot of people. Not everyone (not most) obviously, but in the audiophile world I’ve seen the words “reasonable” and “affordable” attached to much more expensive gear.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,163
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    Great review!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,039
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    for more affordable norma integrated amps they have a 75 watt for $3k and a 70 watt for $4500.
    https://www.audiothesis.com/norma
    as a point of reference the pass labs int-25 at 25 watts per channel is $7250

    Sounds like the tag line for an ad campaign.
    Yes! You can afforda Norma

    My mother-in-law's name was Norma -- woulda been cool to have a namesake amp, were she still around. :)
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 699
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    Great review !

    7k ??

    One could buy an awfully nice amp / preamp combo for that .....

    Bk
    Dayens Ampino , Yamaha wxc-50 , Polk SDA 1c’s ( my first love .. ) , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Salk Supercharged Song towers ( difficult choice between these and my family if I had to choose ... 😩 ) , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN RIG

    PS Audio S300 - sitting in the closet for now …

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    Then you have an extra pair of interconnects and a power cable to purchase.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    Plus you lose a space in your rack.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
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    What amp/pre combo at $7k did you have in mind?
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,314
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    Very nice review Marvin. The few Norma units I have heard in the past couple of years all sounded very good.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 699
    edited August 2020
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    Nothing in particular.....

    Lots of goodies in that price range ....
    I’m sure it’s fantastic ....

    Not ‘dissin it ...
    Just sayin ....

    Bk




    marvda1 wrote: »
    What amp/pre combo at $7k did you have in mind?

    Dayens Ampino , Yamaha wxc-50 , Polk SDA 1c’s ( my first love .. ) , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

    Parasound A21, Eversolo DMP-A8 , Yamaha wxc-50 , Kimber Kable 4vs , Salk Supercharged Song towers ( difficult choice between these and my family if I had to choose ... 😩 ) , Sony XBR-A8F 65” OLED - DEN , MAIN RIG

    PS Audio S300 - sitting in the closet for now …

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,129
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    Agree, lots of options in the range. Another reason why anyone dropping cash should be ready to put in some time listening. I think quite a few integrated in that price point might surprise you vs separates of the same price, not just the Norma we're talking about here.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,519
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Good review Marvin
    A little up there in cost though, reading your initial post, I did not expect 7K retail.

    take a look at the pass labs or ayre integrateds.

    Oh I know there are more expensive ones.

    I just didn't know $7K was considered affordable, or atleast that's what I got from your initial post.

    I was thinking more along the lines of the cost of a Parasound Halo 6 INT.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,871
    edited August 2020
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    Joey_V wrote: »
    marvda1 wrote: »
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Good review Marvin
    A little up there in cost though, reading your initial post, I did not expect 7K retail.

    take a look at the pass labs or ayre integrateds.

    Oh I know there are more expensive ones.

    I just didn't know $7K was considered affordable, or atleast that's what I got from your initial post.

    I was thinking more along the lines of the cost of a Parasound Halo 6 INT.

    I didn't use the term affordable, this is what I said in the op.
    " Looking for a great integrated amp that is within reach of a lot more audiophiles than this super high priced stuff, take a read."
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Puritan PSM156
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,129
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    Seems like a lot of people are hung up on the wording here, and took "within reach" the same as "layman's," "budget," or "every man's" ...which is not what Marvin said.

    I don't think it was intended to imply this was budget by any means. More so that is really is a competitor to some of the "big boy" brands without quite the same price tag you might expect at that level. It can be a good value, while still holding it's current price tag.

    Sure, next to something like Marantaz and Parasound this might seems like a stretch. And those are "every man" brands that you can impulse buy from a range of retailers online. But Norma isn't really in that category. It's decidedly more niche, and flows through the way of dealers and distributors, much like many of the "big boys."

    These pieces of gear are investments, and should be discussed with professionals you trust and hopefully listened to before purchased. If you put the Norma in with others in that niche category; Pass Labs, Pathos, Mark Levinson, T+A, Ayre, D'Agostino, CH Precision, Nagra, Vinnie Rossi, etc... well then it might start to stand out as a real bargain. And I think Marvin's wording much more implied that the Norma SHOULD be in that grouping. It's more obtainable than many (not all) on that list.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
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    She’s a beaut Clark!
    Nice read.
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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