Biggest mistake of my life was buying as a 1st system a QUAD II pair with the 22 preamp and the matching tube tuner. Drove me into the craziness of gotta have, gotta have; that downward spiral to audiophilia hades. 2nd biggest mistakes was selling them.
Had a set of Wharfedale W70Ds that I and later my brother used for years with a Marantz 19, a near perfect pairing. Currently in my inventory placed tied for 2nd place are my W70s. As I downsize, my Symphonys will be going and I suspect the W70s will push out the competing Bozak 302a that it is tied with. The W70s open up at slightly lower listening levels and physically smaller than the 302s. Size as part of my future matters.
Over the decades have had a number of British pieces and their design simplicity and size both that work against them generally in the N.A. market for me have been a plus. Sadly, I've also found Lucas is not unique in making somewhat unreliable British electrics. I especially liked the Ferrograph r2r and SME arms and the Garrard 301/401 I rank as about as good a pair of tables as any company produced. Even with minimal work today, they can go head to head with many of the sanely priced competition today.
I am a die hard e'stat fan but never owned the QUADs. Seemed to prefer the Janszen design better and later Martin Logan full range. Am interested in audition the 12s as there seems to be some universal agreement they are rather good. One speaker I've heard briefly that I immediately knew was something of desire is the Tannoy Churchill. Last time I had an almost immediate.similar.love affair with a speaker after almost no listening time was my 1st listen to KLH Nines that became my main speakers for more than 30 years. Even my Symphonys took more than 8 hours of auditioning before deciding on them.
I am partial to British cars, having had MGs, Nash Metropolitan (British mfg'd based on partnershkp with Nash), Volvo P 1800 ('66 with the British Press Steel body) and Jaguar. Love the Rover TC2000, TC3500, Triumph (can not think of any model I do not like), especially the Herald convertible. As for cars, starting the classic XJ-6, hearing its wonderfully unique windup makes owning it worth any headaches. Closest thing to is is the Spitfire airplane. I have not heard the newer v-8 but if it does not have the same sound, it is a BIG loss of the Jag identity.
My favorite photo light meter, a S.E.I. Photometer. Typically unique British interpretation of how something should work. Takes time to figure it out but it was the primary meter of Ansel Adams, I figured it was worth the effort. Best light measuring device I have ever had. Currently, preparing it along with part of my camera collection to donate to a museum. Mine still has the original bulb that is working.