I’ll join the choires of praising Michael Cronnolly here. Just recived my new M&E, R&R this morning, and man, am I impressed! What a lovely, lovely instrument. It’s beautiful both in looks and tone. I think I did a smart move in asking for the joint rings. It’s worth the $60 even if it dosn’t affect the sound. I’ve seen pics on them without the rings and I think they look a bit too naked (talking about flute porn 
). This one is an absolute beauty. I’ve never experienced such a wide tonal pallette eighter, but then again I’m very inexperienced, but I can get everything from very pure, sharp, hard tones to very soft, sweet and breathy tones from it. And the volume is stunning. I love it, can’t put it down, will have it in my bed tonight… (ehhr 
)
Funny, I have just received mine too, thanks to Don.
I like it, definitely a honker. Bigger embouchure then I imagined (I wonder if that follows the original?). The flute is slimmer then the old model, with bigger tone holes. Very easy player, great dark tone.
Nice stealthy look, I might change the emblem on the cap with a compass, and a night vision scope 
Hey, great flute for the money.