Carmine, I wasn't so much missing the point (some genes maybe LOL) but was just relaying some silly tripe I had heard. What you say about the state of the art way back when makes all the sense in the world. Just makes you wonder how much longer though that the industry (American) might've stayed with tubes if it wasn't for competition.....UNFAIR competition I might add.

It's fairly well known at this point (although seems to have been largely forgotten by the younger generation) that Japan industry and government work hand in hand. Ever hear of the term Japan Inc? That means their gov't directly subsidizes the research and manufacturing as well as assists in allowing their companies to literally dump their product on other countries at below cost for the sole reason of decimating the local manufacturers so that they may ultimately take over the entire supply side.

Paranoid? Nein. Just look how things have played out. It's text book. The moment Fair Trade was repealed in the early/mid 70's sales of Jap electronics went ballistic.

peverett, you mention car interior plastics.....for the longest time I've suspected that as some of the plasticizers evaporate that they may cause cancer. There are some reports now that are leaning in that direction. One thing is for certain though, some of these plastics allow mold to form in the HVAC with detrimental results. http://www.fordlemon.com/ There's a cute animation that's kinda worth the load time (I have dial up, yuck)

Anthony