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· Large Record Collection for Sale    posted May 19, 2014 (show)
  • Upstate New York
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  • From David Nemzer of the (NY) Audiophile Society. Please do NOT contact me, call the number included in the notice below:

    Large Record Collection located upstate New York. Main categories include Rock, Pop and others from the 1960s through the 1980s, Big Band and related music from the 1960s - 1070s including some easy listening, and Classical. Also 45s Pop hits from the 1960s - 1970s.

    Collection totals somewhere between six and nine thousand records.

    To be sold as a complete lot or by category only.

    646-242-5335

    Call only between Noon and 10:00 PM
· 40th Annual Jazz Record Collectors' Bash, June 27th-28th    posted May 19, 2014 (show)
· Discount tickets to NY Philharmonic    posted May 16, 2014 (show)
· Merrill gets raves for his amps at AXPONA in Chicago    posted May 7, 2014 (show)
  • aka: Local Boy Makes Good!
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  • Stereophile calls system with Merrill amps "Most Musical"
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  • Compiled and sent to me by David Nemzer of The Audiophile Society. Congrats, Merrill!

    Stereophile – Most Musical http://www.stereophile.com/content/merrill-and-sadurni-most-musical-combo

    TAS Sound system electronics > $15k – Notable Mention. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/axpona-chicago-2014/

    TAS Sound System electronics < $15 – Runner up to top 5. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/axpona-2014-loudspeakers-and-electronics-under-15k/

    ParttimeAudiophile – Preconceived notions. http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2014/04/29/axpona-2014-preconceived-notions-sadurni-acoustics-and-merrill-audio/

    AVshowrooms – Gold Award:
    http://www.avshowrooms.com/Axpona_2014.html
· Loudness Wars Recording Evaluations    posted Apr 25, 2014 (show)
· New Vortexbox Software Supports DSD!    posted Apr 20, 2014 (show)
  • Free Music Server Software
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  • Vortexbox 2.3 released
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  • Vortexbox, free software for managing a music server using the FLAC format, now supports DSD files. The new version includes the following upgrades:


    - SqueezeBox Server 7.8.0 the latest release from Community Squeeze
    - Fedora 20 with better hardware support for new DACs, motherboards, etc
    - Squeezelite as a built-in player
    - Full DSD support - play DSD direct to a DSD capable DAC or transcode to PCM in-line for non DSD DACs
    - Backup and restore now does the LMS settings as well
    - Network-based install so you can install from a USB key
    - Latest PlexMedia Server to serve files to TVs and video devices
    - SqueezeBox Server Google Music plug-in prebuilt for VortexBox
    - SqueezeBox Server Shairport (Airplay) plug-in prebuilt for VortexBox

    Although the software is free, a fairly advanced familiarity with computers and software is recommended for those building their own servers based on Vortexbox 2.3.

    Turnkey Vortexbox appliances are also available from Small Green Computer:

    http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/

    Prices start at $449 for a 1TB unit and go up from there. I have owned the basic Vortexbox appliance since 2011. If anyone has any questions, please contact me. (I am not affiliated with Vortexbox of Small Green Computer in any way other than being a customer.)

    Phil Slepian
· Hi-Res Redux and Diminishing Returns    posted Apr 14, 2014 by JimOfAllTrades (show)
  • Register article on new blu-ray audio format
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  • I think the audiophile trend towards every increasing fidelity specs, with 32/384 becoming a new reference standard along with all the DSD stuff going is fighting a battle for diminishing returns, particularly when practical considerations are thrown into the mix.

    As mentioned in the Register article above, the remixes are often just up-sampling from existing digital tape transfers that are 16/44 to 24/48, which isn't exactly what people expect. And, no professional digital masters are 32/384 PCM. They are all 24/96 or 24/192. So, you're not getting any higher fidelity from 32/384.

    Further, audiophiles are in agreement that you get sonic diminishing returns as the specs increase even when the specs are real. The first big jump in quality happens going to the industry standard 24/48, which is mostly the result of 24-bits having so much better headroom than 16-bit redbook. The next jump is to industry standard 24/98, which most audiophiles consider "nice" but not really as big of a jump as to 24/48. Then the jump to 24/192 is considered "audible" but almost inconsequential to most audiophiles. It's those diminishing returns kicking in. Now we are getting DACs capable of 32/384 even though there is no content that can make use of it. All we have from digital mastering that started in the eighties and took off in the nineties are master tapes at the aforementioned 24/48, 24/96 and 24/192. The last one mostly since 2000. There are no analog masters to fall back on for pro recordings made since the mid-nineties and no way to upgrade existing digital master to higher-resolution. The best that can be hoped for is again to get the back catalog re-mastered into high-res digital from analog master tapes.

    However, at this point the studios appear to just be reselling 24/48 or 24/96 versions remixed to 5.1 surround or something gimmicky like that. In most cases these days, remixes are brighter and more compressed than the original in order to help the sound on iPod-like devices and listening through headphones on noisy subways, etc. They aren't done with audiophiles in mind. And Bob Ludwig, who does care, can't do everything. The re-release of Yellow Brick Road mentioned above features his work on the two channel version but not the 5.1 channel version, and even Bob has to please the artists and studios clamoring for compression and brightness. The bottom line is 32/384 is not something to get too excited over just yet. On the positive side, though, 24/192 is becoming a standard on most DACs these days, including low-end ones selling for less than $100, so just about everyone can take advantage of that.
· Discount Tickets to NJSO    posted Apr 9, 2014 (show)
· Microphonic Tubes anyone?    posted Apr 4, 2014 (show)
  • (for magazine article)
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  • I am beginning work on a project to quantify vacuum tube harmonics, identify modes of microphony and attempt to relate the quantitative measures with qualitative assesment.

    I'm looking for volunteer tubes which will be retained for a brief period in a loving and warm relationship with a gently regulated constant current source, subject to the gentle pinging by a piezo actuator and put to the test with my AP Distortion Analyzer. No #2 pencil will be dropped on your tube's head, it's a bit more rigorous than that!

    No kiddin' -- I will return your microphonic tube after the tests, but would like them retained for a listening test at a future date.

    From my own collection, I have some 12AX7, 6922,6SN7, 417A, D3A, 6CW4, 6J52P (from the Ukraine) which behave badly, but need more volunteers.
· Calculating Voltage and Power    posted Mar 31, 2014 by JimOfAllTrades (show)
  • Electrical Engineering 101
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  • Voltage calculator
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  • For anyone that needs to determine a how voltage, resistance and power relate for audio, I've included the link above to help out.
· Important Info for April Meeting    posted Mar 17, 2014 (show)
  • Especially for those driving to Jersey City!
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  • Pulaski Skyway Closing April 12th for long term repairs
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  • Murphy's Law rules! The day before our event at Loew's Jersey Theatre, the Pulaski Skyway will close for long-term repairs. This is a link to the notification, including alternate route information. Please note that the truck route for 1/9 North is jammed even when the Pulaski is open. I would avoid this at all costs, and stick to the Turnpike route.
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  • Comments:
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  • § The PATH station is right there too.
     ⤷ posted Apr 10, 2014
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· Nice sale this weekend at Scotti's Record Shop    posted Mar 14, 2014 (show)
  • Summit, NJ
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  • 50% Off All Used Vinyl Priced $6 and Under
    Plus Free Turntables, CD Players or Tape Decks!!
    (while supplies last)
    Friday March 14th, Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th
    Three Days Only!!
    Scotti's Record Shop
    351 Springfield Avenue Summit NJ 07901
    908-277-3893
    Store Hours
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday=10am-6pm
    Thursday& Friday=10am-8pm Saturday=10am-5pm Sunday=11:30am-4:30pm
    (Park in the back lot, 1st hour is FREE)
    email: summit@scotticd.com
· Interview with Jazz Great Pianist Jon Davis    posted Mar 7, 2014 (show)
· Pianist Tal Weissman At Carnegie Hall    posted Mar 6, 2014 (show)
  • Free tickets available
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  • From a neighbor:

    Come hear Tal Weissman, piano virtuoso (winner of numerous international competitions), who will be coming in from Israel to perform March 20 (Thursday eve) 8 p.m. at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall. He will be playing Chopin, Schubert & Klein. Free tickets available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, limit of 4 per person.
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  • Comments:
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  • § For those that don't know Weill hall is a fabulous place with great acoustics. There are only about 250 seats (75 balcony and about 175 orchestra). George W. and me went there recently for a Schubert lecture and performance day.
     ⤷ posted Mar 7, 2014
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· Interesting Digital Recording of Mahler    posted Mar 5, 2014 (show)
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