I just jumped off the fence! Amazon prices right now are just something I could not pass up. 1-Quinto, 2-Congas, 1-tumba. They are offering a 10% promotion discount, a 10% super saver discount, plus no shipping fees (1 week wait), sure there was tax. Anyway for just under $1K total, I now have some nice congas that will help me to the next several levels.
thanks Mydogsowner for letting me know of this deal---and there are several other members of this forum who I am not sure I ought to mention by name because I do not know their affiliations with other manufactures--but you were most helpful.
peace and rhythm, marcus