Thanks everyone - for the meantime I have transferred the Polaris into the good hands of Greg - klosmon, he's a few minute drive from me (lucky!) - I am slammed with work the next few weeks and want to get this thing running properly - it seems like its sooooo close - but I've reached the end of my rope as far as knowledge - I can do decent desoldering and soldering, can check voltages, but when we start getting into needing a scope, I'm lost - will work on that skill set this year!
Was such a bummer to go through all that work only to have no sound on power up, but I'm hoping Greg can get it up and running properly...
will keep you informed!
tom