linden518
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1st Annual NYC Analog Drunkards Convention
smejias
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2/22 sounds perfect to me. I think that's even a payday.

bifcake
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2/22 sounds good to me as well.

linden518
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Awesome, guys. 2/22 it is! I'm going to rely on you for the venues, both for checking out analog gear & for drinks afterwards.

Jeff Wong
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2/22 should work here as well.

bifcake
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I assume this will take place after 6pm?

linden518
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I assume this will take place after 6pm?

I guess so. Although I'd like to troll around for some analog gear earlier in the day, too.

Jeff Wong
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We should put together a list of places to check out gear and some watering holes. Depending on how many places have analogue gear you want to hear and a guess as to how long each demo might take will help us construct the day. Too many products shouldn't be auditioned--this could lead to fatigue and confusion. While it would be informative to listen to top end turntables, the best use of time would be to check out ones within your actual budget. It might even be best to pick one salon and listen to 3 pieces of gear extensively (provided they stock different turntables), then let the imbibing begin. I'm not sure who is carrying what these days. The shops that pop into mind in order of uptown to downtown are Lyric, Innovative, Park Avenue Audio, Sound By Singer, and that place across from where Tower used to be (I'm partial to checking this place out in particular--I've heard nice things about it, plus, I once saw John DeVore hanging outside it making a phone call, how bad can it be?) I'm also partial to the cask conditioned ales at dba on 1st Avenue, but, am flexible. Do you have particular LPs you're using as a reference? It would be good to hear the same selection on each rig instead of relying on what's on hand at the shops.

linden518
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Jeff. Fabulous ideas. I'm also keen to try the ales at 1st Ave, so let's tentatively schedule that in. As for trying out gear, I'd like to try out VPI, Pro-Ject and Rega set-ups. Unless something else really charms the bejezus out of me. Let's definitely check out the place in front of the old Towers. I'll have 2-3 LPs on hand. Can't wait!

defgibbon
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Holy crap--drinking + records = bliss! Can I come along?

I would just add, as someone who worked Hi-Fi retail in NYC, while the idea of hanging out in one spot and listening to bunches of vinyl is fun, I think the store owners/salesguys might not want to devote a ton of time to a bunch of beer-buzzed enthusiasts. I think a good surgical strike operation is best, notifying the store in advance (I can help with that at Sound By Singer, In Living Stereo and Stereo Exchange) and getting in a good few quality minutes on one or two prearranged 'tables per stop. Good cheer all around, and no retail stress.
I know these guys, if we start asking them to swap-out too many bits their patience will wear thin.
Was that a buzz kill? I hope not. A pit-stop for a fresh brew between each target will keep the gears well lubed too. The area down there is rich with good watering holes, including dBA.

John DeVore

linden518
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We'd love to have you join us, John! It would be especially nice if you can work some magic for us at the audio shops. Sounds like 2/22 will turn out to be a monster day. Personally, I'm looking forward to learning a LOT from all of you, & hopefully, I'll have a turntable set by the end of the drunken fest.

rvance
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The area down there is rich with good watering holes, including dBA.

Do they charge MSRP or are they willing to discount? Do you know how much markup is on a shot of booze!? It's criminal!!

michaelavorgna
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NYC Analog Drunkards Convention? My boolean AND dream come true. Can I attend? I'll even hold the red umbrella so no one gets lost.

linden518
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Hey, Michael. Would love to have you come along. I think we need to have a kind of a quota soon, though, b/c I don't think it's a good idea to roll 10-deep into audio shops; that would be kind of rude. If more people want to meet & talk, we can perhaps do so at a drinking venue. But auditioning gear, I feel like it should be a certain # of people...

defgibbon
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Huge congrats to you for Ella! Something to put a "little" perspective on all this.

linden518
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Thanks, John. I'm just beyond ecstatic these days. Looking forward to meeting you on 2.22! BTW: we exchanged emails before once, regarding a possible profile for The Believer mag. Maybe we can schedule that in one day, when you're less busy?

linden518
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First of all, I think I need to get an official head count. Please PM me or email me at selfdivider@gmail.com so I can plan things out. I guess throughout the day, some of us will listen to vinyl set-ups, drinking intermittently between sessions. And we should have an end-of-the-day rendezvous for people who can't come out for the listening session but who'd like to get drunk & talk vinyl anyway. More details to come.

Okay... on the personal front: this is really stupid of me, but I bought a cartridge even before buying a TT/tonearm (Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM). Probably a really weird way to go about things. I was looking into LOMC, but got frustrated by the hassle (i.e. SUT) and decided to go MM for a while instead, & save the $ I'd have spent on the SUT for a turntable instead.

Some of the turntables I'd like to hear on our Analog Drunkards Convention day (2/22) are: Kuzma Stabi S, and some decks by Nottingham & Acoustic Solid. I figure it would be easy enough to listen to VPI and Pro-Ject... I'd appreciate any other recommendations.

BTW: someone offered to sell a Goldmund Studio to me. Had no idea what it was, so googled it, and it looked pretty crazy. My instinct says "pass," as it would probably take a bit of technical savvy to upkeep. Good decision?

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I can understand the appeal of buying the cartridge first.

Thin of it like buying speakers first and then looking back up the chain to support your decision.

KBK
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Goldmund are a pretty smart bunch of guys. If the price is right, there is no reason this turntable cannot be a good performer.

linden518
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Quote:
Goldmund are a pretty smart bunch of guys. If the price is right, there is no reason this turntable cannot be a good performer.


The guy who offered the Goldmund Studio is pretty trustworthy... I don't know how much they go for, but he offered it at $1600. He also says he has the more reliable later version, with the JVC motor, and not the original and more problematic Papst... of course, I have no clue what the hell he's talking about! He says he clearly prefers the Goldmund to the Nottingham tables, and he wants to sell the Goldmund b/c he got a EMT 950, which he prefers to the Goldmund. (Once again: I don't know what EMT 950 is.)

You and Elk should come to NYC on a trip!

KBK
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Quote:

Quote:
Goldmund are a pretty smart bunch of guys. If the price is right, there is no reason this turntable cannot be a good performer.


The guy who offered the Goldmund Studio is pretty trustworthy... I don't know how much they go for, but he offered it at $1600. He also says he has the more reliable later version, with the JVC motor, and not the original and more problematic Papst... of course, I have no clue what the hell he's talking about! He says he clearly prefers the Goldmund to the Nottingham tables, and he wants to sell the Goldmund b/c he got a EMT 950, which he prefers to the Goldmund. (Once again: I don't know what EMT 950 is.)

You and Elk should come to NYC on a trip!

I am a 'Linnie' when it comes to Turntables, so I apparently have my head stuffed up my butt. And as a manufacturer, I'm not allowed (self enforced-for good sane reasons) to make opinions on other folks gear. All I can say is I like/prefer 'suspended' turntable designs.

As far as I know, there is more than one iteration of the Goldmund Studio TT, so that aspect must be considered. Also, more than one arm...and Papst motors are not really known for their lack of reliability. Perhaps JVC makes a better motor, who knows. JVC has accidentally produced the odd 'scary good' audiophile item..like their 'supervinyl' record making vinyl. There may be a different motor available for the Goldmund, as well.

Point is, if it has the linear tracking arm (It might not-if it is modified)..for a vinyl newbie - this is a nightmare in the making.

Stick to something simple and easily satisfying.

The Goldmund is for an 'old hand' audio nut. One who also understands that Goldmund is no longer messing with analog, IIRC.

linden518
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Yeah, the Goldmund turntable scares me. I can imagine it croaking right in the middle of the final movement of the Hammerklaiver, and me wringing my hands in the air before posting pleas for help in this forum at 4 in the morning. Wait. I think I write in this forum at 4 in the morning anyways, so I'm not so far off from lunacy.

The only vintage restoration project that makes me feel euphoric and funny - just by thinking about it - is the Garrard 301, which I know I'm not capable of accomplishing. *shedding tears*

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If it's not too late I'd love to get in on this. Nothing says "best night ever" like vinyl and hand-pulled. I'm a huge DBA fan during the week but on a Friday night? Caveat emptor? I'm really in it to hear cartridges. That's most definitely my next upgrade.

linden518
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Sure, Jack. We'd be glad to have you join us! Again: for the rest of you interested, we'll meet on 2/22, this Friday. More logistical details to come...

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Nice. Looking forward to it.

linden518
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POSTPONED TIL 2/29 DUE TO THE INTERVENTION BY THE WEATHER GODS!

smejias
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Stupid snow. Stupid winter.

JackCrank
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Wow that actually worked out pretty well. Had to be at a friends record release show that night anyway.

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POSTPONED TIL 2/29 DUE TO THE INTERVENTION BY THE WEATHER GODS!

Well, I hope everyone is careful this week, so no one gets a hang nail or something that causes another postponement.

Geez, we used to be happy to walk to the Hi Fi dealer in the snow; uphill, both ways, carrying our own demo LP's!

Modern citified audiophiles ain't exactly the postal service, I guess.

linden518
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Well, we would have loved to have done it, but some people had to drive 50+ miles & the road condition was treacherous, not to mention blocked. A few pints + 10-in snow + driving on icy roads? Yikes. Better safe than sorry.

smejias
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Tonight is the night.

linden518
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Finally! I'm pretty psyched, ready get my drink on.

JackCrank
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We have a time and a place yet? Work beckons around 8:00pm sadly.

Buddha
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Weather Channel predicts partly cloudy. Are you guys sure you're up to it?

I'm just jealous.

smejias
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Quote:
We have a time and a place yet? Work beckons around 8:00pm sadly.

The plan is to meet at In Living Stereo at 5pm, or "beer o'clock," as JA would say. From there, we will hit DBA for a pint, "or six," as John DeVore would say.

smejias
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I'm just jealous.

Don't be jealous, Buddha.

Why don't you set up a Desert Chapter and have your own Stereophile forum members meet-up?

Do it.

linden518
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Do it.


I think Stephen has been going to the Sam Tellig School of Persuasion.

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Quote:

Quote:
I'm just jealous.

Don't be jealous, Buddha.

Why don't you set up a Desert Chapter and have your own Stereophile forum members meet-up?

Do it.

Stephen, it's not that simple.

While we do have some audio-nuts who hang and haunt the used Hi Fi shops, I remain jealous of this missed opporunity regardless.

It's not that I'm jealous for want of an opportunity here, I am jealous for want of being in on what's going on there!

I suppose I may suffer a bit from "Fourth of July" or "New Year's Eve" syndrome, that nagging feeling that wherever it is I am at those times, there may have been someplace even better to be. So, my jealousy over your guys' event is that I'm missing out on hanging with such a hip crowd on Friday night in NYC! I am SURE tonight is the night the moon and stars will align, and you'll hear the perfect Hi Fi, and I'll miss it!

Heck, I bet they'll let y'all jump the line at In Living Stereo! You and your posse will be, like, the Paris Mejias and Brittany DeVore of the New York Hi Fi scene!

There will be no doors that will not be open for you tonight.

How could I not be jealous?

_

On the other hand, today is my "third" wedding anniversay, and I'm gonna cook with the family. So if there's any consolation for me, I couldn't have gone, anyway. I'll settle for second best, and diminish my pain over missing the audio crawl by telling people about the times I have spent with some of you.

smejias
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Stephen, it's not that simple.

Gosh, Buddha. This is a very serious problem. And I think I understand it very well...


Quote:
On the other hand, today is my "third" wedding anniversay, and I'm gonna cook with the family.

...because I often feel the very same strange jealousy when I think about what you're up to out there in Sin City.

Many congrats! Have a wonderful day, my good man.

JackCrank
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Perfect. Nothing makes a corporate radio job with the worst hours ever bearable like hi-fi, fancy beers, and the fact that ILS carries at least 4 integrated amps I've been dying to ask people about.

smejias
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Perfect. Nothing makes a corporate radio job with the worst hours ever bearable like hi-fi, fancy beers, and the fact that ILS carries at least 4 integrated amps I've been dying to ask people about.

Mmm... Fancy beers.

KBK
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If you like the Pilsner types, try the Kenyan beer 'Tusker'. Awesome.

Ariel Bitran
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How was the convention? I wish I could've gone. I was busy all day and night moving to my new apartment.

bifcake
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I started a new thread about it in the Rants and Raves section

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How was the convention? I wish I could've gone. I was busy all day and night moving to my new apartment.


It was awesome. Good vibes all around, and how could there not be good vibes, with such great company and great music? We gathered at In Living Stereo, where Jonathan Halpern was just ready-system-go. I walked into the sound of Shindo Garrard with that killer arm, some mono cartridge (forgot the name!) putting out some sweet sweet music to Devore Silverbacks. I love Devore speakers but I gotta say, I haven't heard Devores sound as good as they did last night, with Shindo electronics driving them. The amps were Shindos I haven't seen yet... uses KT88 tubes, I think, puts out 80 watts. That's a rare display of power for Shindo. Phono pre was Sentec. Digital front-end - which I wanted to hear but didn't want to be a buzzkill on an analog night - was 47 Labs Flatfish. So according to my rough calculation: a $100K + system. Spun a lot of guitar jazz recordings, as well as Curtis Mayfield and Sam Cooke, with Cat Power & Sufjan Stevens in there for a good measure. Really smooth, golden sound from that mono cartridge & Shindo Garrard TT. Only regrets? Yeah, I didn't get to hear tables near my range! My expectations are just amped up forever, got spoiled by an all-Shindo system that I won't be able to afford for like 10 years. Also: didn't get to listen to any classical LPs, which are my interests.

My favorite part of the night was actually meeting everyone! Stephen Mejias, Jonathan Halpern (Tone Imports, In Living Stereo), John Devore (looks like he's about 18 y.o... should have asked him about where he gets his facials), Michael Lavorgna & Jules Coleman of 6moons (learned that Jules is also a Professor of Law & Philosophy @ Yale), Jeff Wong & AlexO. Also met Alex Halberstadt, who writes for GQ & has written a bio of Doc Pomus (Random House). And some others I'm blanking out on right now. Talked about music, crazy books by Haruki Murakami, Ross Macdonald & Martin Amis (Jeff Wong owns an INCREDIBLE collection of 1st editions & manuscripts) vinyl, speakers, etc. all over great beer (Chimay & handpulled) at DBA. We all went to eat after, but I had to bail b/c I have a new baby at home. It even snowed on the way home.

All I gotta say? It's going to happen again, hopefully some time soon. I couldn't stay around for more rounds of drinks, so the 1st round is on me next time, dudes. Stephen and others took some pics of the night, so I'm sure those pics will be up somewhere, some time, all of us probably looking like the happy jackasses that we were. Oh, the audio-geekery of it all!

Great times!

smejias
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I agree completely. Like selfdivider, my favorite part was getting to meet everyone. We enjoyed some wonderful music, conversation, and food and drink. What an excellent evening. Thanks, everyone, for making it happen. I can't wait to do it again.

bifcake
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Ditto! I had a great time.

defgibbon
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Oh man, I gotta be Brittany?

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Quote:
Ditto! I had a great time.

What he said. An excellent night, great guys, music, beer and pizza. Huge thanks also to Steve Mishoe at In Living Stereo for allowing a rather large bunch of us knuckleheads to take over the main soundroom for a couple of hours. Thanks also go to Steve for suggesting Luzzos pizza.

Mmm... pizza...

michaelavorgna
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That was great fun indeed. And I'd add thanks to Stephen for creating a forum/environment where this kind of thing could come about in the first place.

Next?

bifcake
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Next? Next we should go to DUP's place and play with his Whispers! He's buying!

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