diff --git a/nl_examples/congo_bongo.c b/nl_examples/congo_bongo.c
index 030c4c48aa8..0415b6f0746 100644
--- a/nl_examples/congo_bongo.c
+++ b/nl_examples/congo_bongo.c
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ NETLIST_START(dummy)
 // .END
 
 	PARAM(Solver.ACCURACY, 1e-8)
-	PARAM(Solver.NR_LOOPS, 9000)
+	PARAM(Solver.NR_LOOPS, 90)
 	PARAM(Solver.SOR_FACTOR, 0.001)
 	PARAM(Solver.GS_LOOPS, 1)
 	PARAM(Solver.METHOD, "MAT_CR")
diff --git a/src/devices/machine/netlist.cpp b/src/devices/machine/netlist.cpp
index 90cf78d6315..89f4cd017ae 100644
--- a/src/devices/machine/netlist.cpp
+++ b/src/devices/machine/netlist.cpp
@@ -408,7 +408,6 @@ netlist_mame_device_t::netlist_mame_device_t(const machine_config &mconfig, cons
 		m_icount(0),
 		m_old(netlist::netlist_time::zero()),
 		m_netlist(nullptr),
-		m_setup(nullptr),
 		m_setup_func(nullptr)
 {
 }
@@ -418,7 +417,6 @@ netlist_mame_device_t::netlist_mame_device_t(const machine_config &mconfig, devi
 		m_icount(0),
 		m_old(netlist::netlist_time::zero()),
 		m_netlist(nullptr),
-		m_setup(nullptr),
 		m_setup_func(nullptr)
 {
 }
@@ -442,7 +440,6 @@ void netlist_mame_device_t::device_start()
 	//printf("clock is %d\n", clock());
 
 	m_netlist = global_alloc(netlist_mame_t(*this, "netlist"));
-	m_setup = global_alloc(netlist::setup_t(*m_netlist));
 
 	// register additional devices
 
@@ -455,11 +452,11 @@ void netlist_mame_device_t::device_start()
 		if( sdev != nullptr )
 		{
 			LOG_DEV_CALLS(("Preparse subdevice %s/%s\n", d.name(), d.shortname()));
-			sdev->pre_parse_action(*m_setup);
+			sdev->pre_parse_action(setup());
 		}
 	}
 
-	m_setup_func(*m_setup);
+	m_setup_func(setup());
 
 	/* let sub-devices tweak the netlist */
 	for (device_t &d : subdevices())
@@ -468,12 +465,11 @@ void netlist_mame_device_t::device_start()
 		if( sdev != nullptr )
 		{
 			LOG_DEV_CALLS(("Found subdevice %s/%s\n", d.name(), d.shortname()));
-			sdev->custom_netlist_additions(*m_setup);
+			sdev->custom_netlist_additions(setup());
 		}
 	}
 
-	m_setup->start_devices();
-	m_setup->resolve_inputs();
+	netlist().start();
 
 	netlist().save(*this, m_rem, "m_rem");
 	netlist().save(*this, m_div, "m_div");
@@ -505,12 +501,8 @@ void netlist_mame_device_t::device_reset()
 void netlist_mame_device_t::device_stop()
 {
 	LOG_DEV_CALLS(("device_stop\n"));
-	netlist().print_stats();
-
 	netlist().stop();
 
-	global_free(m_setup);
-	m_setup = nullptr;
 	global_free(m_netlist);
 	m_netlist = nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/src/devices/machine/netlist.h b/src/devices/machine/netlist.h
index 8466c39e070..b23003e9379 100644
--- a/src/devices/machine/netlist.h
+++ b/src/devices/machine/netlist.h
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ public:
 
 	static void static_set_constructor(device_t &device, void (*setup_func)(netlist::setup_t &));
 
-	ATTR_HOT inline netlist::setup_t &setup() { return *m_setup; }
+	ATTR_HOT inline netlist::setup_t &setup() { return m_netlist->setup(); }
 	ATTR_HOT inline netlist_mame_t &netlist() { return *m_netlist; }
 
 	ATTR_HOT inline const netlist::netlist_time last_time_update() { return m_old; }
@@ -195,7 +195,6 @@ private:
 	netlist::netlist_time        m_old;
 
 	netlist_mame_t *    m_netlist;
-	netlist::setup_t *   m_setup;
 
 	void (*m_setup_func)(netlist::setup_t &);
 };
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_fourterm.h b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_fourterm.h
index 723eccf77f5..251f955edab 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_fourterm.h
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_fourterm.h
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ NETLIB_OBJECT(VCCS)
 public:
 	NETLIB_CONSTRUCTOR(VCCS)
 	, m_G(*this, "G", 1.0)
-	, m_RI(*this, "RI", NL_FCONST(1.0) / netlist().gmin())
+	, m_RI(*this, "RI", 1e9)
 	, m_OP(*this, "OP")
 	, m_ON(*this, "ON")
 	, m_IP(*this, "IP")
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.cpp
index b2e5951e48a..4f324ea92bd 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,8 @@ NETLIB_RESET(OPAMP)
 		double RP = 0.5 / 3.1459 / CP / m_model.model_value("FPF");
 		double G = m_model.model_value("UGF") / m_model.model_value("FPF") / RP;
 
+		printf("Min Freq %s: %f\n", name().c_str(), 1.0 / (CP*RP / (G*RP)));
+
 		m_CP->m_C.setTo(CP);
 		m_RP.set_R(RP);
 		m_G1.m_G.setTo(G);
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.h b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.h
index b695f497cb5..220984af0bc 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.h
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_opamps.h
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ NETLIB_OBJECT(OPAMP)
 
 private:
 
-	NETLIB_SUB(R) m_RP;
+	NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_RP;
 	NETLIB_SUB(VCCS) m_G1;
 	NETLIB_SUBXX(C) m_CP;
 	NETLIB_SUBXX(VCVS) m_EBUF;
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_twoterm.h b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_twoterm.h
index 697be6300aa..6c83e989e85 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_twoterm.h
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/analog/nld_twoterm.h
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ protected:
 NETLIB_OBJECT_DERIVED(R, R_base)
 {
 	NETLIB_CONSTRUCTOR_DERIVED(R, R_base)
-	, m_R(*this, "R", 1.0 / netlist().gmin())
+	, m_R(*this, "R", 1e9)
 	{
 	}
 
@@ -193,6 +193,10 @@ protected:
 	NETLIB_RESETI();
 	//NETLIB_UPDATEI() { }
 	NETLIB_UPDATE_PARAMI();
+
+private:
+	/* protect set_R ... it's a recipe to desaster when used to bypass the parameter */
+	using NETLIB_NAME(R_base)::set_R;
 };
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -202,9 +206,9 @@ protected:
 NETLIB_OBJECT(POT)
 {
 	NETLIB_CONSTRUCTOR(POT)
-	, m_R1(*this, "R1")
-	, m_R2(*this, "R2")
-	, m_R(*this, "R", 1.0 / netlist().gmin())
+	, m_R1(*this, "_R1")
+	, m_R2(*this, "_R2")
+	, m_R(*this, "R", 10000)
 	, m_Dial(*this, "DIAL", 0.5)
 	, m_DialIsLog(*this, "DIALLOG", 0)
 	{
@@ -232,8 +236,8 @@ private:
 NETLIB_OBJECT(POT2)
 {
 	NETLIB_CONSTRUCTOR(POT2)
-	, m_R1(*this, "R1")
-	, m_R(*this, "R", 1.0 / netlist().gmin())
+	, m_R1(*this, "_R1")
+	, m_R(*this, "R", 10000)
 	, m_Dial(*this, "DIAL", 0.5)
 	, m_DialIsLog(*this, "DIALLOG", 0)
 	, m_Reverse(*this, "REVERSE", 0)
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4066.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4066.cpp
index a9d82b1e041..2936c692786 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4066.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4066.cpp
@@ -24,17 +24,25 @@ namespace netlist
 		{
 		}
 
-		NETLIB_RESETI() { }
+		NETLIB_RESETI();
 		NETLIB_UPDATEI();
 
 	public:
 		NETLIB_SUB(vdd_vss) m_supply;
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_R;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_R;
 
 		analog_input_t m_control;
 		param_double_t m_base_r;
 	};
 
+	NETLIB_RESET(CD4066_GATE)
+	{
+		// Start in off condition
+		// FIXME: is ROFF correct?
+		m_R.set_R(NL_FCONST(1.0) / netlist().gmin());
+
+	}
+
 	NETLIB_UPDATE(CD4066_GATE)
 	{
 		nl_double sup = (m_supply.vdd() - m_supply.vss());
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4316.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4316.cpp
index 257ee0aac83..467786de3d1 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4316.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_4316.cpp
@@ -16,24 +16,29 @@ namespace netlist { namespace devices {
 		NETLIB_CONSTRUCTOR(CD4316_GATE)
 		NETLIB_FAMILY("CD4XXX")
 		, m_supply(*this, "PS")
-		, m_R(*this, "R")
+		, m_R(*this, "_R")
 		, m_S(*this, "S")
 		, m_E(*this, "E")
 		, m_base_r(*this, "BASER", 45.0)
 		{
 		}
 
-		NETLIB_RESETI() { }
+		NETLIB_RESETI();
 		NETLIB_UPDATEI();
 
 	public:
 		NETLIB_SUB(vdd_vss) m_supply;
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_R;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_R;
 
 		logic_input_t m_S, m_E;
 		param_double_t m_base_r;
 	};
 
+	NETLIB_RESET(CD4316_GATE)
+	{
+		m_R.set_R(NL_FCONST(1.0) / netlist().gmin());
+	}
+
 	NETLIB_UPDATE(CD4316_GATE)
 	{
 		m_R.update_dev();
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_ne555.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_ne555.cpp
index 840dafeb5be..2ae1d0fcccc 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_ne555.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_ne555.cpp
@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@ namespace netlist
 		NETLIB_RESETI();
 
 	protected:
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_R1;
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_R2;
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_R3;
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_RDIS;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_R1;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_R2;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_R3;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_RDIS;
 
 		logic_input_t m_RESET;
 		analog_input_t m_THRES;
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_system.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_system.cpp
index 836e744fc6a..16bc759ee94 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_system.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nld_system.cpp
@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@ namespace netlist
 	// nld_res_sw
 	// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+	NETLIB_RESET(res_sw)
+	{
+		m_last_state = 0;
+		m_R.set_R(m_ROFF());
+	}
 
 	NETLIB_UPDATE(res_sw)
 	{
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nlid_system.h b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nlid_system.h
index 89251264fa7..5850eadfd9d 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/devices/nlid_system.h
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/devices/nlid_system.h
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ namespace netlist
 	{
 	public:
 		NETLIB_CONSTRUCTOR(res_sw)
-		, m_R(*this, "R")
+		, m_R(*this, "_R")
 		, m_I(*this, "I")
 		, m_RON(*this, "RON", 1.0)
 		, m_ROFF(*this, "ROFF", 1.0E20)
@@ -396,16 +396,12 @@ namespace netlist
 			register_subalias("2", m_R.m_N);
 		}
 
-		NETLIB_SUB(R) m_R;
+		NETLIB_SUB(R_base) m_R;
 		logic_input_t m_I;
 		param_double_t m_RON;
 		param_double_t m_ROFF;
 
-		NETLIB_RESETI()
-		{
-			m_last_state = 0;
-			m_R.set_R(m_ROFF());
-		}
+		NETLIB_RESETI();
 		//NETLIB_UPDATE_PARAMI();
 		NETLIB_UPDATEI();
 
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.cpp
index 04d84897077..ba3f3db2c8a 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.cpp
@@ -243,19 +243,20 @@ netlist_t::netlist_t(const pstring &aname)
 	, m_queue(*this)
 	, m_mainclock(nullptr)
 	, m_solver(nullptr)
-	, m_gnd(nullptr)
 	, m_params(nullptr)
 	, m_name(aname)
-	, m_setup(nullptr)
 	, m_log(this)
 	, m_lib(nullptr)
 {
 	state().save_item(this, static_cast<plib::state_manager_t::callback_t &>(m_queue), "m_queue");
 	state().save_item(this, m_time, "m_time");
+	m_setup = new setup_t(*this);
 }
 
 netlist_t::~netlist_t()
 {
+	if (m_setup != nullptr)
+		delete m_setup;
 	m_nets.clear();
 	m_devices.clear();
 
@@ -278,15 +279,15 @@ void netlist_t::register_dev(plib::owned_ptr<device_t> dev)
 
 void netlist_t::start()
 {
+	setup().start_devices1();
+
 	/* load the library ... */
 
 	/* make sure the solver and parameters are started first! */
 
 	for (auto & e : setup().m_device_factory)
 	{
-		if ( setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(mainclock)>(e.second)
-				|| setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver)>(e.second)
-				|| setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(gnd)>(e.second)
+		if ( setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver)>(e.second)
 				|| setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(netlistparams)>(e.second))
 		{
 			auto dev = plib::owned_ptr<device_t>(e.second->Create(*this, e.first));
@@ -296,18 +297,14 @@ void netlist_t::start()
 
 	log().debug("Searching for mainclock and solver ...\n");
 
-	m_mainclock = get_single_device<devices::NETLIB_NAME(mainclock)>("mainclock");
 	m_solver = get_single_device<devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver)>("solver");
-	m_gnd = get_single_device<devices::NETLIB_NAME(gnd)>("gnd");
 	m_params = get_single_device<devices::NETLIB_NAME(netlistparams)>("parameter");
 
 	/* create devices */
 
 	for (auto & e : setup().m_device_factory)
 	{
-		if ( !setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(mainclock)>(e.second)
-				&& !setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver)>(e.second)
-				&& !setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(gnd)>(e.second)
+		if ( !setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver)>(e.second)
 				&& !setup().factory().is_class<devices::NETLIB_NAME(netlistparams)>(e.second))
 		{
 			auto dev = plib::owned_ptr<device_t>(e.second->Create(*this, e.first));
@@ -315,6 +312,9 @@ void netlist_t::start()
 		}
 	}
 
+	log().debug("Searching for mainclock\n");
+	m_mainclock = get_single_device<devices::NETLIB_NAME(mainclock)>("mainclock");
+
 	bool use_deactivate = (m_params->m_use_deactivate() ? true : false);
 
 	for (auto &d : m_devices)
@@ -333,16 +333,35 @@ void netlist_t::start()
 			d->set_hint_deactivate(false);
 	}
 
-
 	pstring libpath = plib::util::environment("NL_BOOSTLIB", plib::util::buildpath({".", "nlboost.so"}));
-
 	m_lib = plib::palloc<plib::dynlib>(libpath);
 
+	/* resolve inputs */
+	setup().resolve_inputs1();
+
+	log().verbose("initialize solver ...\n");
+
+	if (m_solver == nullptr)
+	{
+		for (auto &p : m_nets)
+			if (p->is_analog())
+				log().fatal("No solver found for this net although analog elements are present\n");
+	}
+	else
+		m_solver->post_start();
+
+	/* finally, set the pointers */
+
+	log().debug("Setting delegate pointers ...\n");
+	for (auto &dev : m_devices)
+		dev->set_delegate_pointer();
 
 }
 
 void netlist_t::stop()
 {
+	log().debug("Printing statistics ...\n");
+	print_stats();
 	log().debug("Stopping solver device ...\n");
 	m_solver->stop();
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.h b/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.h
index f2a7c4c81c6..00c14eef4af 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.h
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/nl_base.h
@@ -1166,11 +1166,10 @@ namespace netlist
 		void start();
 		void stop();
 
-		const detail::queue_t &queue() const { return m_queue; }
-		detail::queue_t &queue() { return m_queue; }
 		const netlist_time time() const { return m_time; }
 		devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver) *solver() const { return m_solver; }
-		devices::NETLIB_NAME(gnd) *gnd() const { return m_gnd; }
+
+		/* never use this in constructors! */
 		nl_double gmin() const;
 
 		void push_to_queue(detail::net_t &out, const netlist_time attime) NL_NOEXCEPT;
@@ -1181,7 +1180,6 @@ namespace netlist
 
 		void rebuild_lists(); /* must be called after post_load ! */
 
-		void set_setup(setup_t *asetup) { m_setup = asetup;  }
 		setup_t &setup() { return *m_setup; }
 
 		void register_dev(plib::owned_ptr<device_t> dev);
@@ -1237,14 +1235,18 @@ namespace netlist
 
 		plib::dynlib &lib() { return *m_lib; }
 
-		void print_stats() const;
-
 		std::vector<plib::owned_ptr<core_device_t>>                           m_devices;
 		/* sole use is to manage lifetime of net objects */
 		std::vector<plib::owned_ptr<detail::net_t>>                           m_nets;
 		/* sole use is to manage lifetime of family objects */
 		std::vector<std::pair<pstring, std::unique_ptr<logic_family_desc_t>>> m_family_cache;
 
+		const detail::queue_t &queue() const { return m_queue; }
+		detail::queue_t &queue() { return m_queue; }
+
+	protected:
+		void print_stats() const;
+
 	private:
 		plib::state_manager_t               m_state;
 		/* mostly rw */
@@ -1255,7 +1257,6 @@ namespace netlist
 
 		devices::NETLIB_NAME(mainclock) *    m_mainclock;
 		devices::NETLIB_NAME(solver) *       m_solver;
-		devices::NETLIB_NAME(gnd) *          m_gnd;
 		devices::NETLIB_NAME(netlistparams) *m_params;
 
 		pstring                             m_name;
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.cpp
index 925aeb3ba5a..9c4f895ec77 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ setup_t::setup_t(netlist_t &netlist)
 	, m_proxy_cnt(0)
 	, m_frontier_cnt(0)
 {
-	netlist.set_setup(this);
 	initialize_factory(m_factory);
 	NETLIST_NAME(base)(*this);
 }
@@ -48,7 +47,6 @@ setup_t::~setup_t()
 	m_terminals.clear();
 	m_param_values.clear();
 
-	netlist().set_setup(nullptr);
 	m_sources.clear();
 
 	pstring::resetmem();
@@ -703,10 +701,8 @@ bool setup_t::connect(detail::core_terminal_t &t1_in, detail::core_terminal_t &t
 	return ret;
 }
 
-void setup_t::resolve_inputs()
+void setup_t::resolve_inputs1()
 {
-	bool has_twoterms = false;
-
 	log().verbose("Resolving inputs ...");
 
 	/* Netlist can directly connect input to input.
@@ -776,31 +772,13 @@ void setup_t::resolve_inputs()
 	log().verbose("looking for two terms connected to rail nets ...\n");
 	for (auto & t : netlist().get_device_list<devices::NETLIB_NAME(twoterm)>())
 	{
-		has_twoterms = true;
 		if (t->m_N.net().isRailNet() && t->m_P.net().isRailNet())
 			log().warning("Found device {1} connected only to railterminals {2}/{3}\n",
 				t->name(), t->m_N.net().name(), t->m_P.net().name());
 	}
-
-	log().verbose("initialize solver ...\n");
-
-	if (netlist().solver() == nullptr)
-	{
-		if (has_twoterms)
-			log().fatal("No solver found for this net although analog elements are present\n");
-	}
-	else
-		netlist().solver()->post_start();
-
-	/* finally, set the pointers */
-
-	log().debug("Initializing devices ...\n");
-	for (auto &dev : netlist().m_devices)
-		dev->set_delegate_pointer();
-
 }
 
-void setup_t::start_devices()
+void setup_t::start_devices1()
 {
 	pstring env = plib::util::environment("NL_LOGS");
 
@@ -817,8 +795,6 @@ void setup_t::start_devices()
 			netlist().register_dev(std::move(nc));
 		}
 	}
-
-	netlist().start();
 }
 
 plib::plog_base<NL_DEBUG> &setup_t::log()
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.h b/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.h
index 66745504c74..42cc804e309 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.h
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/nl_setup.h
@@ -227,8 +227,8 @@ namespace netlist
 
 		param_t *find_param(const pstring &param_in, bool required = true) const;
 
-		void start_devices();
-		void resolve_inputs();
+		void start_devices1();
+		void resolve_inputs1();
 
 		/* handle namespace */
 
diff --git a/src/lib/netlist/prg/nltool.cpp b/src/lib/netlist/prg/nltool.cpp
index f96fd423530..91f9fc7c1ae 100644
--- a/src/lib/netlist/prg/nltool.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/netlist/prg/nltool.cpp
@@ -128,19 +128,16 @@ class netlist_tool_t : public netlist::netlist_t
 public:
 
 	netlist_tool_t(const pstring &aname)
-	: netlist::netlist_t(aname), m_setup(nullptr)
+	: netlist::netlist_t(aname)
 	{
 	}
 
 	~netlist_tool_t()
 	{
-		if (m_setup != nullptr)
-			plib::pfree(m_setup);
 	}
 
 	void init()
 	{
-		m_setup = plib::palloc<netlist::setup_t>(*this);
 	}
 
 	void read_netlist(const pstring &filename, const pstring &name,
@@ -151,19 +148,18 @@ public:
 		// read the netlist ...
 
 		for (auto & d : defines)
-			m_setup->register_define(d);
+			setup().register_define(d);
 
 		for (auto & r : roms)
-			m_setup->register_source(plib::make_unique_base<netlist::source_t, netlist_data_folder_t>(*m_setup, r));
+			setup().register_source(plib::make_unique_base<netlist::source_t, netlist_data_folder_t>(setup(), r));
 
-		m_setup->register_source(plib::make_unique_base<netlist::source_t,
-				netlist::source_file_t>(*m_setup, filename));
-		m_setup->include(name);
+		setup().register_source(plib::make_unique_base<netlist::source_t,
+				netlist::source_file_t>(setup(), filename));
+		setup().include(name);
 		log_setup(logs);
 
 		// start devices
-		m_setup->start_devices();
-		m_setup->resolve_inputs();
+		this->start();
 		// reset
 		this->reset();
 	}
@@ -174,19 +170,16 @@ public:
 		for (auto & log : logs)
 		{
 			pstring name = "log_" + log;
-			/*netlist_device_t *nc = */ m_setup->register_dev("LOG", name);
-			m_setup->register_link(name + ".I", log);
+			/*netlist_device_t *nc = */ setup().register_dev("LOG", name);
+			setup().register_link(name + ".I", log);
 		}
 	}
 
-	netlist::setup_t &setup() { return *m_setup; }
-
 protected:
 
 	void vlog(const plib::plog_level &l, const pstring &ls) const override;
 
 private:
-	netlist::setup_t *m_setup;
 };
 
 void netlist_tool_t::vlog(const plib::plog_level &l, const pstring &ls) const
@@ -210,18 +203,12 @@ void usage(tool_options_t &opts)
 
 struct input_t
 {
-#if 0
-	input_t()
-	: m_param(nullptr), m_value(0.0)
-	{
-	}
-#endif
 	input_t(const netlist::setup_t &setup, const pstring &line)
 	{
 		char buf[400];
 		double t;
 		int e = sscanf(line.c_str(), "%lf,%[^,],%lf", &t, buf, &m_value);
-		if ( e!= 3)
+		if (e != 3)
 			throw netlist::nl_exception(plib::pfmt("error {1} scanning line {2}\n")(e)(line));
 		m_time = netlist::netlist_time::from_double(t);
 		m_param = setup.find_param(buf, true);
@@ -249,7 +236,6 @@ struct input_t
 	netlist::netlist_time m_time;
 	netlist::param_t *m_param;
 	double m_value;
-
 };
 
 static std::vector<input_t> read_input(const netlist::setup_t &setup, pstring fname)
@@ -359,8 +345,7 @@ static void listdevices(tool_options_t &opts)
 	nt.setup().include("dummy");
 
 
-	nt.setup().start_devices();
-	nt.setup().resolve_inputs();
+	nt.start();
 
 	std::vector<plib::owned_ptr<netlist::core_device_t>> devs;