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It's a great video. People were accusing Ars of promoting Grado, but I think the Grado house and business model are different enough (from overseas factories and multinational conglomerates) to deserve a feature article. Also, it inspired me to research headphones again, for no good reason. I'm already very happy with my current setup (Sony D-EJ2000 + Alessandro MS-1 at work, Arcam FMJ CD36 + Headsave Classic v2 + Grado HP-2 at home). I started a long time ago with stock Panasonic over-the-ear headphones and a portable cassette player, moved into low-buck Koss headphones when the Panasonic broke, and stayed with Sennheiser HD 320 headphones for ten years with a Panasonic SL-S160 portable CD player (still working). After updating myself for a few days on the interwebs of headphone stuff, I'm still glad that I went with the MS-1 for portable/desk use (and grabbed the HP-2 when the opportunity came up). There are a lot of new products on the market, but the classic stuff stays around too (e.g., Sennheiser HD 600, Koss PortaPro, etc.). I have mixed emotions when I think about people who are new to the headphone game – they have a lot more choices, but too much information (and hearsay) are overwhelming. Higher prices on the new flagship products are also discouraging... fortunately, the market is big enough that you can still find value for your dollar. At one point, I found myself reading reviews of Monoprice headphones. That was ludicrous... after you've heard the good stuff (AKG K1000, Grado PS-1, I'm looking at you), it's very hard to go back. It always comes back to a long, careful equipment audition, which is hard to do at headphone meets and audio stores. System synergy is also important – testing a piece on other people's gear, music, and listening environment often leads to a misleading impression.

After an excellent starter for me of pork, sage and paprika soup and for Debbie an asparagus soup, we settled on this for lunch - duck livers and pickled green beans on the left and escargot on the right. All from Brewery Vivant. FYI. Escargot inspiration came from Alden. We'd never had it, and he had mentioned it this weekend. It was awesome.

lots of listening.... I was not expecting to keep this recording - but the 7th really did capture me - mono but I am fine with that.... Just too good of a performance and recording to consider purging.. worthy... Historically good but not great and recording not up to snuff to listen to. Another boxed set that I thought was throw away... wrong - No.22 captured great... (along with the others) Another I never expected to keep - these guys from the 1800's know what they are doing - recording is good - but everything else is there in spades. Fun with the insides as well.. What is this? and where did it come from? .. I don't know - but it is going to stick around for a bit... (70's goodness - you may know "Just remember I love you") Escape? - yes, yes I will... along with the rest of the tunes.. Okay... Starcastle - Fountains of Light.. what the actual Fuck? -- How did I have this for so long and not know that this album pretty much kicked ass? -- 1977 - Yes ripoff that I think is killer. (fan) (fuzzy phone pics... but fun evening)....

I love it when I'm googling for reviews of headphones and find a review I wrote 4 years ago.

Got back from a three day cub scout trip. Tired.

got up at 7, had a bagel and some monster drinks. Went on a quick bike ride with some friends Came back, had some chicken, mac n cheese, grilled corn, and weyerbacher. Drove through less annoying traffic than the way down on my way home. Now I'm cooking and drinking and waiting for the family to get home