This may get various reactions, but it's a humor-tinged essay on the idea of sort-of audiophiles, i.e., people such as myself, while taking some well-aimed potshots at the extremists. (Heck, I'm even a Stereophile subscriber!)

Here it is, from my blog for the SF Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-373-SF-Classical-Music-Examiner~y2008m7d25-How-to-be-an-audioquasiphile

Yes, there is a Chicago Audio Society. They meet in a 'burb far from the city. Currently talking with some local people about an initial coffee meeting in Andersonville next week. Please post if interested.

Okay. The TT is going to be here on 8/1. While talking logistics, it turns out the top shelf of my rack won't be big enough for the Platine Verdier. CRAP! Mr. Su - the Verdier distributor from whom I'm purchasing the Granito - told me the best option is to build a sandbox that would house a 3" maple platform. He recommends 18" x 32".

I met with a young woman today, a senior in high school, who is the daughter of a client. She wanted to leanr more about what we do as she makes career plans.

I asked about her hobbies. She writes beat poetry, likes indie rock and collects vinyl.

When asked, she explains that she loves looking through used and new LPs and the people in the stores, but most importantly:

"Vinyl just sounds right. There's something different. I can't explain it."

Dearest Audiophile Siblings,

Just a brief heads-up to any of you folks yet to stumble upon Where Is There by Belgian composer Myriam Alter which has been in very heavy rotation chez moi recently.

Can anyone find any data/calculations/measurements regarding the amount of drag generated by a cartridge tracking an LP?

I've seen mention of static stylus drag and dynamic stylus drag, but I've never seen any attempt at measurement of the effect or force calculations.

Also, wouldn't these effects be greater at the start of a record than at the end?

Anyone notice more or less "PRaT" at the start or end of an LP?

I'd really be curious to see what's been investigated with regard to the dynamic effect of the stylus while it's playing an LP.

Hey, one of my favorite bands - Deerhoof - posted a sheet music to the 1st single from their upcoming LP on a website. The song's called "Fresh Born" and the band's inviting people to record their interpretations and post the results on their website! Fun!!! Several covers by Joe Schmoes are up already, so hurry hurry!

http://deerhoof.cashmusic.org/

Ariel - you gotta take this on.

Just got done with some travel and had a chance to catch up. The Esoteric review killed me!

"Although my review samples had been used at audio shows, Esoteric's Mark Garvey warned me that they'd need further break in....yada yada yada."

First, Esoteric is in the habit of demoing speakers that they are aware are not yet sounding their best?

I wonder how they could solve that problem? Jeez. Did that make anyone else wonder? Does Esoteric, like, not really give a shit? "Aw, it's just for a show. Screw it."

I have a Denon AVR-3803 Amp and a Niles SI-1230 Amp.
The Denon sits in the family room and facilitates a 7.1 home theatre setup. The Niles SI-1230 is a 12-channel amplifier that delivers 30 watts per channel RMS into 8 ohms and 37 watts per channel RMS into 4 ohms.