I'm not surprised he's not up to date on the nerd shit part of this. He just wanted an ipod that sounded better, and when his idea of an all new format fell through, someone sold him on this, instead.
I have no idea if it's any good, but I just got an email about the emotiva control freak: http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/accessories/products/control-freak?mc_cid=c535323077&mc_eid=2ec604d243
it was a little slippery going down my driveway, then no trouble getting into work. There's only 1 other person here tho, because the base is on a 2 hr delay.
the Bloom is a fantastic budget cart, but you'd need to get a different phonostage, I think. The sumiko black pearl I have I got for $50, but it looks like they've gone up considerably.
It was snowing as I drove through DC today, but nothing was sticking. No snow here yet, I'm hoping it's less than an inch or 2 at 6am, so I can get down my hill. I didn't feel like walking up it.