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Have used the 300B tubes with DIY T2 for three months now. First two months with an amplifier with all original transistors and the last month with an all-modern transistors’ amplifier. Only issue so far is a failed small solid-state relay in filament supply. Otherwise, I find the DIY T2/300B pleasant.

I have the base version of these. The upgraded ones Steve linked to use a more expensive driver, and possibly better amps. They are remarkable in their ability to do deep bass . They are also remarkable in their ability to sound like just about any speaker you like. The DSP is fun. The tunings are done via a USB dongle that you insert. And as Steve guessed, you basically find the tuning you like and stick with it. The app isn't necessary, or really even very useful. I'm not sure I've ever used it. I just keep a download of all the tunings in case I want to change it - in practice I never do. Additionally, repairs are pretty easy and the warranty is long. In the event of an issue, they basically send you a whole module complete with streamer, dac, amp, etc. A few screws and one cable and it's done. The biggest issue would be the company going under. Sound quality is quite good. They aren't perfect at all, but for the cost you'd be hard pressed to buy speakers, amps, dac, streamer and cables that compared. That said, I am probably jumping ship before too long. But that has more with a desire to build something weird and esoteric, and to play with tubes again. So if anyone is interested in a good deal on some of these hit me up. Mine have the Primare SC15 which can be included, or not. I am happy to keep it.

Found on FB, gave me a small chuckle

RIP Mr. Bennett. I especially loved your duets with my girl KD Lang.

I built a tree bench/table. I'll cut plugs this weekend to cover the screws Monday. The surrounding ground will have artificial turf installed this weekend. The turf will extend up the box about 4". Monday I'll cover the PT 2" X 6" box with matching 3/4" Cedar.

He'll have an adapter and the hd800 cable in a few days, so you don't have to come out of retirement for this one. 😎

Summer Synergy - Schiit Audio/ Dan Clark Audio Collaboration https://danclarkaudio.com/aeon-2-noire-and-jotunheim-2-multibit-summer-synergy-bundle.html https://www.schiit.com/products/aeon-jotunheim

confirmed: tubes are inside

NFLO

Should arrive Monday.

Knucks, if you don't end up with what you need I can probably help as well. I still have a silly collection of parts and could probably piece together an adapter.

I lust a bit after those Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10's....they use the Purifi woofer, which is supposed to be a dynamic, high-excursion, low distortion, and really good sounding driver.....

I'm really glad that these speakers aren't yet more e-waste. The planet sure doesn't need it. Also, speaker porn: Via reddit. This fella has really good taste in hip hop. Also boomer folk.

Time to catch-up on my musical Blog.. I have been listening, but have not been taking the time to post, I hope that my schedule will slow down in the future to keep on top of it. So much to listen to. Anyway. Study In Brown Clifford Brown, Max Roach 1955 https://album.link/i/1434889869 Example: This '55 Mercury recording is really good and catching the Cliff and Max combo pack in a good place. Other than the possibly racist 'Cherokee' track, a very fun set. Dusty In Memphis Dusty Springfield 1969 https://album.link/i/302307350 Example: Such a pretty voice. We all know Preacher Man, but this album has a lot of great tunes and highlights Dusty's talents. And Many thanks to the members of The Memphis Boys making the sound so good. Mo '69 The Allman Brothers Band (Deluxe Edition) The Allman Brothers Band 1969 https://album.link/i/1469577513 Example: I added this to my queue (along with Brothers and Sisters) a while ago after hearing a track off the youtubes. I never owned any of their albums, I just heard radio play back in the day. I have to say I really like the brand of blues and rock that they put out there. Good recording. Also be careful when someone asks for what to wear for the photo shoot, and you say, whatever you want. RoundAgain Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Brian Blade 2020 https://album.link/i/1502112092 Example: Just an awesome quad. I hope that they continue to do some colabs while they are in this groove, I need more, and to see them play live. Leonid Kogan Plays Brahms & Khachaturian Leonid Kogan, Philharmonia Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra 2012 https://album.link/i/570710062 Example: I am not sure how this got into my queue. Maybe a stereophile testing track? Anyway, really a good recording, for what I was expecting to be a more historical recording (1958,59). I was not familiar with the Khachaturian piece, but something that I will look for going forward. Good balanced recording for orchestra and soloist. Ah, a little research later - turns out that the second work was recorded by RCA and released originally as Red Seal 'Shaded Dog' label. So, yeah - good recording. It is a little tricky when looking through a list and you see 'Guild Historical' as the label on the cover. So, I am glad that I got to listen to this one. And Speaking of happy listening. Revolver (Super Deluxe) The Beatles 1966 https://album.link/i/1643394501 Example: It has been a while since I have listened to this album. The 2022 mix came up somewhere, and there was a lot of chatter and some controversy. People getting all but hurt about this version verses that version and original bla bla. Putting all that aside. I listened to this diligently. And yup, frickin amazing. I go back between this and Rubber as my fav albums of this era for them. The exploration of song format and the introduction of instruments really pushed these froward. Do I need the other 50 tracks of outtakes and false starts? Not really. But what those really point out is how much George Martin was there to piece together all these cuts and tracks into pretty cohesive songs. They were not a one take live to tape band. Also like that there are rough edges and studio artifacts left in. Anyway - back to listening.

These Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10 are supposed to be amazing. The bass is said to be phenomenal. Very low without being boomy. They're active, bluetooth and have an internal DAC and streamer. Future-fi. When I first saw them, I thought the woofer was blown out. $4,000 ish. Different tuning can be had through the App.

So for the last 24 hours I've been toying with the idea of buying a refurb'd D3S. They're not that expensive, and a fraction of the price of a new Canon mirrorless. Insane high ISO performance. 12MP is fine for me. As I mentioned I have Dinny's old Nikon 50mm, which I have not used in the 15 years I've owned it. I also have a super neat Nikon 75-150mm F/3.5 E zoom (it has lousy CA, but the best bokeh I have ever seen.) Well that idea is officially dead. I did some reading and (re)learned that it's not a good idea to mount M42 lenses to Nikon bodies. Nikon's flange depth is the issue. M42 lenses cannot reach infinity focus without an optical adapter that acts as weak tele-extender and reduces image quality. Canon does not have this problem. I have an army of M42 glass. From amusing crap (Yashika 50mm F1.9, a very beat up Ashai Super Takumar 50mm F/1.4) to stunning and historic optical achievements (Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar MC 135mm F/3.5, Tair 11A 135mm, Meyer Orestor 135mm F/2.8, Orestegor 200mm F/4, Orestegor 300mm F/4). Yes, I have more manual 135mm primes than a used camera shop and it's not like 135mm is a particularly useful focal length. Stop looking at me like that. The point here is there is no way in H E double hockey sticks that I am giving up all my manual lenses. I'd sooner buy a refurb'd 5D Mk II and I kind of hate that body (it was a sign of Canon going in the completely wrong direction: high MP count, lousy high ISO performance.) My Meyer-Optik Orestor 135mm F/2.8 attached to a friend's Rebel digital body in '09. One zebra ring is focus, the other is aperture preset. The Orestor has a 15 blade aperture. This shot was taken with my 30D and my Tair 11A, which has a 22 blade aperture. The Meyer-Optik Orestegor 300mm F/4 tank shell of a lens mounted to my Rebel K2 film body in '08, not far from where I'm sitting now. It has a 19 blade aperture. All of these lenses with insane number of aperture blades allow for absolutely sublime "bokeh shaping." It's so heavy it more or less mandates a tripod and still subject. I've mentioned this before but the 300mm Orestegor is a medium format lens with its own 35mm adapter. I've always wanted to buy an old Pentacon Six or whatever body and try out the 300mm with double the FoV and same DoF. I have told myself I'm not allowed to buy any more film cameras until I've built a darkroom. [I'm nearly 50 years old. I probably will not live to build a darkroom, but it's not entirely beyond the realm of possibility.] Photo of the Tair 11A's aperture by Simon's utak on Flickr. The 300mm Orestegor's aperture as captured by SteveFE on Flickr. I don't have any photos OF the Jena Sonnar, but I have a few taken with it (what an odd idea): Study of a bar ...thingy. ISO3200 on my 30D, which in general sucked at that ISO. Note how sharp the metal detail is and how pleasing the OOF areas are. The truth is, I have definitely not used the Sonnar enough. It's probably the best of the bunch from an optical perspective. Bonus, SteveFE holding his Orestegor in 2006, propped up against his car so he doesn't fall over: Me with the same lens, doing an imitation of Steve in 2009: If the lens looks smaller when I hold it, that's because I have freakishly oversized mitts. TL;DR: All digital camera bodies are ultimately disposable. Glass is forever. I have a thing for lenses with a silly number of aperture blades. I'm sticking with Canon.

Country Music’s Culture Wars and the Remaking of Nashville https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/24/country-musics-culture-wars-and-the-remaking-of-nashville?src=longreads

The Titan and a Fleshlight had a baby?

Did a ‘thing’ yesterday

Knucks, I think this is what you're asking for. If so, PM me an address and I'll get them sent out via USPS Priority mail.

I refinished a stock. After removing the finish, used something called timberluxe - it’s birth year linseed oil and pixie dust I guess … it’s reassuringly expensive and doesn’t last long once air gets in the bottle. Then used a few coats of wax. Ta da! My second project was quite the opposite in terms of success. The stock used a stain/filler base with crappy poly top coat - it’s almost like it had hand drawn dark grain streaks to simulate flamed walnut appearance. I am going to have to regroup and figure out how to re-attempt that one.

Truth.

Enjoyable for many years. As the therapist in Grosse Pointe Blank As the Lieutenant in The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming As the father in Edward Scissorhands As George in Glengarry Glen Ross Thanks Alan - RIP.

RIP to another legend

RIP Alan Arkin https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alan-arkin-dead-little-miss-sunshine-1235526918/amp/

R.I.P. Bea. Dorothy's Golden Lab Bea. She turned 1 year old early this week then passed suddenly on Thursday. It's believed that she ate something outside that caused the issue. Poisonous mushroom may have been the culprit. Bea was the sweetest, friendliest dog. She was a gorgeous blonde haired, pink nosed ball of joy. I will miss her! Dorothy is devastated, as expected.