Dusty Chalk

I sure hope that goes away. People like these people are going to ruin Kickstarter. Also, lollers @ "You got my money I hoe I get my Geek Out his week." You're a what...?

Interesting, I'll have to monitor it more carefully -- I didn't realize I had set it up such that I wasn't monitoring what ports it was using, I transitioned from the web app to the desktop app without a second thought...

House of Cards -- this is fantastic. Love the fourth wall stuff -- it's right on the cusp. Zoey Barnes -- yeah, I'd do her. Of course, I'd also do Claire. The writing is off-the-hook good. Love the expressions on Frank's, Zoey's, Peter's faces when they're writing and reading texts, emails, etc. I love this shit.

Oh, I thought they (Gallos) were US$3K. I see you're right. Hmmm...why don't I have them yet? Pics, please? I'm trying to mentally picture (yes yes I know, split infinitive) where the listening position is.

I presume having someone like Best Buy install it for you is out of the question? Because the best iPod connection I ever had was through the CD changer connection (you'll have to check if your head unit even has one). They can look it up without opening it up, and determining that should be free. Otherwise yes, an FM transmitter is your only choice. There's also iSimple, but that's basically at the halfway point between the two (it's wired, but it uses the antenna and transmits via FM). When they installed mine, they overloaded the input, so it did not sound CD quality.

I actually know someone with Stradas as their desktop speakers, I'll find out if they still have them. Otherwise I got nothing, all three sound like good choices, although the KEFs are in a completely different price point than the Gallos. I think the Harbeths are more comparable price-wise to the KEFs. I think I heard Wharfedale make some pretty nice powered monitors. What exactly is the issue with the quirky space? PS My Dynaudio Special 25s come with little foam "corks" for the rear ports for when they're facing the wall, so the ports are optional-ish -- it does change the sound, but it's within spec. I actually prefer it that way in my current configuration and have them in there. The KEFs might be the same way.

More Ralphie May (Too Big to Ignore) -- I find myself laughing harder and more often than at Jim Gaffigan, and that's telling. It's also misogynistic and racist as hell, but he pretty much doesn't leave anyone out, not even caw...caw...caw...white people. EDIT: I can't breathe:

(wanders off to find out what that's all about)

Thanks, Jack, will look there.

The cables or the wee li'l cable stands all the way from one end to th'other?

I'd go with #2 for no other reason than because I was told that Lollars are good pickups, and the fact that he chose them indicates to me an attention to detail...

Xandria, Sacrificium -- this would be exactly the kind of music one would expect from the album cover -- metal with operatic vocals:

Ralphie May

(squints) Can't tell if serious or...alright, I'll bite: You do realize that it travels at the speed of electricity, right? Or are you worried about the additional solder point (if there even is one)? Or the psychology of the weight?

Devin Townsend and Ché Aimee Dorval, Casualties of Cool -- Devvy does country (!) EDIT: Alright, it's still Devvy, so it's not pure country (no twang), more alt-country, but it's not even really that. But it's mostly acoustic work, and it's still got his classic lush production with heavy wet reverb, and the songwriting is unmistakeably his.

Do you have the original Columbia SACD of this? Do I need this one if I have that one (which I do)?

TexKor (KorTex?) bbq chicken -- chicken stir fried in Korean BBQ (Bulgogi) sauce with a touch of Texas hot sauce to spice things up a bit.

Happy birthday! (party favour noise)

Add to that Dream the Electric Sheep. Might be the best one yet. I take that back, Cry is for the Flies by Le Butcherettes was my favourite, but tUnE-yArDs (or however it's capitalized) was a close second.

My provider has been all over the place tonight -- it was less than 12 earlier, now it's:

My main work computer speakers were a pair of Quad 12L actives. I had them on either side of the monitor, slightly toed in, and up on 3 reams of paper as speaker stands. That aimed the tweeters right at my ears. Ridiculously good setup. Oh, I have a sub now, maybe I should try to recreate that again, instead of the Dynaudios. Hrm...(debates internally with self)... I'm telling you this because...don't be shy about putting yourself in the sweet spot when you go in to audition. One of the good things about nearfield listening is that the room interacts less with things like first reflections, but edge effects are more pronounced.

Thanks for that post, Al, I wasn't finding it tedious. I suspect everyone has a topic about which they become cranky (I think we all know one of my main ones), and this is just one of theirs.

First Listen this week: Yann Tiersen, Infinity Jolie Holand, Wine Dark Sea Conor Oberst, Upside Down Mountain Haley Bonar, Last War Pasatono Orquestra, Maroma Also some Tangent and Pineapple Thief -- just been in a really proggy mood lately, the influence in being in a Facebook group that seems to have similar tastes as I.

Steve is no longer a Bay-area-er.