Greetings from another new member and neighbor. I'm in the same situation you where in for upgrading. I have done my research and plan to visit MAK's factory in the next week or two. I've pretty much made my mind up to purchase the MAK 2 Star but until I see one in person for that amount of coin will hold out for a first hand look and factory tour. Oh and by the way as a child I too had family ties in Dallas. My grandparents on my dads side lived there for many years. We would visit there a couple times a month when I was a child.