Listening #67

Listening #67

I can't help wondering: how did the mainstream audio press, cheered Dynaco and Marantz and McIntosh and Quad for switching to transistors a couple of generations ago, greet the first tube-revival products from Audio Research and the like? What was the reaction when moving-coil cartridge technology, considered all but dead by the early 1970s, became the perfectionist hi-fi norm just a few years later? And what would the same people make of the fact that a high-mass, transcription-length pickup arm—with interchangeable pickup heads, no less—is one of the most recommendable phono products of 2008? The mind boggles.

Now I know he's deaf

This LP sounds horrible, and the music is nothing like what EC did in the early years, when he had some life and energy. This album is a stinker. MF has to be either confused, deaf, or just makes stuff up. He didn't listen to this album if he draws an 8 conclusion. the music is dijointed, clutter. EC singing is lifeless, no emotion, horrible, and it was WARPED!!!$30 junk. http://www.musicangle.com/album.php?id=661

Anybody heard the new Sunfire XT CRM-2?

Forums

Saw a review in Stereophile's sister magazine, then saw the review in TAS, and now I'm intruiged.

To get an idea of what a barren audio landscape we have going on in Las Vegas, Sunfire lists a place in L.A. when I search for "local" dealers!

Anyhow, seems like it could be a fun toy. I'd be interested in any of y'all's take.

T.H.E. Show to Audiophile Societies: Come on In!

T.H.E. Show to Audiophile Societies: Come on In!

T.H.E. Show, aka <A HREF="http://theshowlasvegas.com/2009/">The Home Entertainment Show</A>, has put out a welcome mat for members of "authentic Audiophile Societies throughout the globe."1 Scheduled for January 9&#150;11, 2009, in Las Vegas, the same dates as the Consumer Electronics Show down the road, T.H.E. Show has for the first time offered members of audiophile societies paid access to over 100 anticipated active-display suites in both the St. Tropez and Alexis Park hotels.

The middle ground of audioquasiphilia

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

HELP! Sandbox Needed ASAP!

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".

Young Vinyl Advocate

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."

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