Better Than I Deserve PartI
A phrase that is commonly used by Dave Ramsey, and of late something that has been running through my head since I have joined here.
I was last week invited to Steve’s house for yet a third time to listen to his amazing system and his recent changes. Every time I sit in that leather chair I am blown away by what I hear. The changes from my first visit to the second were substantial and large, easy to hear. The changes on this visit consisted mostly of a tube roll and the time period between visits made it hard to pinpoint large differences to my ears. I will say it sounded (to me and my long term loss of short term memory) to be a bit warmer and more full sounding.
This visit I actually put Steve in the chair a treated him to some of my music choices, Genesis Seconds Out from the live box set and Steely Dan Aja on SHM CD. The Seconds Out recording has always been a bit thin, it is a 1976 live recording. This box set remaster is the definitive version of this album. Cannot wait to get my theater back together as it also includes a 5.1 version of the concert. The two channel remix has brought out so much more information than I ever thought possible, nice polish job on that turd. Seconds out is one of those magical moments in a bands history, the more you listen the more you hear and it knocks your socks off.
I don’t really need to say anything about AJA, either it floats your boat and either you love it or you don’t. A masterpiece in my opinion!
Steve being the gracious host that he is had a hard time sitting in the seat while I sat to the side and made me sit back in the sweet spot after the first track (30 minutes).
I also brought my MOFI SACD of Brothers in arms, I had the 20th anniversary on order (now have it) and we compared it to his XRCD version. I have to say for pure impact the XRCD version (to me) was much better. The guitar attack on The Mans Too Strong is amazing in the XRCD. I sensed a bit more low end on the MOFI on the thunder crashes. So now I have the original vinyl, MOFI 45Rpm vinyl. The original cd, the MOFI SACD, the 20th Anniversary Edition and now the XRCD is on the way. The XRCD is definitely much hotter than the others.
As usual we had some great conversation about music and life in general. Conversations included concert experiences, instruments a little band history, some system banter as well as some life direction chit chat. Steve like me is in it for the music experience as much as the system and to me that is 50%, sometimes more, of the total experience, as noted in another thread about my record store experience involving some giant Cerwin Vegas.
Steve has a great outlook on life and I greatly appreciate him inviting some guy he met on the internet into his home to share in some great music and conversation.
Steve thank you for a wonderful time and I can’t wait to get my system set up again.
?
Better Than I Deserve Part II
I was in downtown Seattle peeing in a cup (part of the life direction mentioned above) and I decided to pop in on Gary unannounced and invite him and his partner in crime out for a bite to eat. I had no intention of listening to music at all, just an offer for some nosh.
As soon as I walked in the door the smell of new carpet hit me (I love it) and the place was pretty well torn apart from said new carpet being installed. I found Gary putting his office back together and breaking in some new speakers at a low level while doing it. Carol had her office completely back together and had moved on in life.
Gary politely declined the nosh offer stating he had too much work to do and then proceeded to start playing some vinyl for me. Remembering my love of drums from my last visit was treated to some skins being assaulted at high levels.
Gary has builds some fantastic expensive great sounding kit, has a brilliant mind but in the end is a fantastic person to talk to about music, recording techniques and just the general love of music.
So after some music and conversation my stomach was protesting to the point of overpowering even Gary’s system and I had to leave. Gary and Carol thank you for taking care of me on a grand scale, I appreciate the time you gave me that day.
Better Than I Deserve Part III
Visiting Mikes house and having the privilege of listening to those Evolution giants paired perfectly with Dartzeel.
I have commented on his system elsewhere and do not feel the need to repeat myself except that like Steve’s system it’s a phenomenal experience to behold.
My point is, here is a guy that invites me into his home, sight unseen to share in the music experience. We listened to some great music, shared some great Bourbon had some great conversation, met one of his cronies and his kids and otherwise had a fantastic afternoon. We also shared some war stories since we are in the same industry.
Again thank you Mike for making me feel welcome in your home, I appreciate that very much. That and the Led Zep vinyl box set, amazing stuff.
Better Than I Deserve Part IV
The Pacific North West Audio Society.
I was invited to one of their meetings and was welcomed with open arms, no questions asked, ate their food and had some great conversation. I had a chance to speak with Bruce Brown for a bit as well as the others and was treated like I have been a member for a decade.
I have poured a lot of money into the LACOS over the years and could not even tell you the name of any of the members other than Bob Levy and Waldrep.
Not one person has ever even said Hi to me let alone have conversation or visiting one another for some music sessions. They are all in it for the raffle at the end of the meeting.
Looking forward to the next PNWAS meeting.
Better Than I Deserve Part V
I have a fantastic opportunity starting tomorrow at Ferrari Maserati of Seattle, super stoked on that one.
Summary:
I feel that if I visited any one of you and we never turned a system on, the overall experience at the end of the day would be the same.
Despite all of our differences and points of view on this silly hobby, we can set them aside and enjoy the music experience together.
This is a fantastic little community that has been created, Thank you Steve and Amir.
Now if I could just find one of you knuckleheads to share a good cigar with.
The whole Peace Love and Understanding thin again.
A phrase that is commonly used by Dave Ramsey, and of late something that has been running through my head since I have joined here.
I was last week invited to Steve’s house for yet a third time to listen to his amazing system and his recent changes. Every time I sit in that leather chair I am blown away by what I hear. The changes from my first visit to the second were substantial and large, easy to hear. The changes on this visit consisted mostly of a tube roll and the time period between visits made it hard to pinpoint large differences to my ears. I will say it sounded (to me and my long term loss of short term memory) to be a bit warmer and more full sounding.
This visit I actually put Steve in the chair a treated him to some of my music choices, Genesis Seconds Out from the live box set and Steely Dan Aja on SHM CD. The Seconds Out recording has always been a bit thin, it is a 1976 live recording. This box set remaster is the definitive version of this album. Cannot wait to get my theater back together as it also includes a 5.1 version of the concert. The two channel remix has brought out so much more information than I ever thought possible, nice polish job on that turd. Seconds out is one of those magical moments in a bands history, the more you listen the more you hear and it knocks your socks off.
I don’t really need to say anything about AJA, either it floats your boat and either you love it or you don’t. A masterpiece in my opinion!
Steve being the gracious host that he is had a hard time sitting in the seat while I sat to the side and made me sit back in the sweet spot after the first track (30 minutes).
I also brought my MOFI SACD of Brothers in arms, I had the 20th anniversary on order (now have it) and we compared it to his XRCD version. I have to say for pure impact the XRCD version (to me) was much better. The guitar attack on The Mans Too Strong is amazing in the XRCD. I sensed a bit more low end on the MOFI on the thunder crashes. So now I have the original vinyl, MOFI 45Rpm vinyl. The original cd, the MOFI SACD, the 20th Anniversary Edition and now the XRCD is on the way. The XRCD is definitely much hotter than the others.
As usual we had some great conversation about music and life in general. Conversations included concert experiences, instruments a little band history, some system banter as well as some life direction chit chat. Steve like me is in it for the music experience as much as the system and to me that is 50%, sometimes more, of the total experience, as noted in another thread about my record store experience involving some giant Cerwin Vegas.
Steve has a great outlook on life and I greatly appreciate him inviting some guy he met on the internet into his home to share in some great music and conversation.
Steve thank you for a wonderful time and I can’t wait to get my system set up again.
?
Better Than I Deserve Part II
I was in downtown Seattle peeing in a cup (part of the life direction mentioned above) and I decided to pop in on Gary unannounced and invite him and his partner in crime out for a bite to eat. I had no intention of listening to music at all, just an offer for some nosh.
As soon as I walked in the door the smell of new carpet hit me (I love it) and the place was pretty well torn apart from said new carpet being installed. I found Gary putting his office back together and breaking in some new speakers at a low level while doing it. Carol had her office completely back together and had moved on in life.
Gary politely declined the nosh offer stating he had too much work to do and then proceeded to start playing some vinyl for me. Remembering my love of drums from my last visit was treated to some skins being assaulted at high levels.
Gary has builds some fantastic expensive great sounding kit, has a brilliant mind but in the end is a fantastic person to talk to about music, recording techniques and just the general love of music.
So after some music and conversation my stomach was protesting to the point of overpowering even Gary’s system and I had to leave. Gary and Carol thank you for taking care of me on a grand scale, I appreciate the time you gave me that day.
Better Than I Deserve Part III
Visiting Mikes house and having the privilege of listening to those Evolution giants paired perfectly with Dartzeel.
I have commented on his system elsewhere and do not feel the need to repeat myself except that like Steve’s system it’s a phenomenal experience to behold.
My point is, here is a guy that invites me into his home, sight unseen to share in the music experience. We listened to some great music, shared some great Bourbon had some great conversation, met one of his cronies and his kids and otherwise had a fantastic afternoon. We also shared some war stories since we are in the same industry.
Again thank you Mike for making me feel welcome in your home, I appreciate that very much. That and the Led Zep vinyl box set, amazing stuff.
Better Than I Deserve Part IV
The Pacific North West Audio Society.
I was invited to one of their meetings and was welcomed with open arms, no questions asked, ate their food and had some great conversation. I had a chance to speak with Bruce Brown for a bit as well as the others and was treated like I have been a member for a decade.
I have poured a lot of money into the LACOS over the years and could not even tell you the name of any of the members other than Bob Levy and Waldrep.
Not one person has ever even said Hi to me let alone have conversation or visiting one another for some music sessions. They are all in it for the raffle at the end of the meeting.
Looking forward to the next PNWAS meeting.
Better Than I Deserve Part V
I have a fantastic opportunity starting tomorrow at Ferrari Maserati of Seattle, super stoked on that one.
Summary:
I feel that if I visited any one of you and we never turned a system on, the overall experience at the end of the day would be the same.
Despite all of our differences and points of view on this silly hobby, we can set them aside and enjoy the music experience together.
This is a fantastic little community that has been created, Thank you Steve and Amir.
Now if I could just find one of you knuckleheads to share a good cigar with.
The whole Peace Love and Understanding thin again.
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