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The audio system is close, but as you can see I need to buy a pair of Monoprice speaker stands. Probably won't hook it up until I've done that. I'm almost unpacked. Got some kitchen stuff still to do, and a few doggy things, but that's about it. Calling it quits for tonight though.

I met Per Lundahl at Capital Audio Fest last year, and in trying to figure out what I could use I'd have for Lundahl transformers I asked about winding something that can drive e-stats, planars, low impedance, speakers from separate taps. I had also just bought a bunch of 6336B dual triodes, so thought that might work. The transformers came and many months went by but finally rigged something up. Basically right now it's just 6336B with both triodes in parallel, running about 200mA with a B+ of 260V. There's an e-stat output that steps up, and also 50 ohm and 6 ohm outputs. The grid voltage is set by a bunch of 9V in series. The black box in the middle on top of the Wendy's napkin is a little 4W 12V to 600V DC/DC converter for the e-stat HP bias. I'm actually driving it from the headphone jack of a Ray Samuels Raptor right now 🤣 Have sound coming out but no chance yet to do much further testing

Congrat to Evenepoel.... espectacular!!!!!

Well, it had to be done. Udon at Ishin...so good. They do a lot of fusion style Udon and this one is brisket and.....ginger. I only need so much ginger in my life so I ask for it on the side. If in Houston, Ishin Udon and the Tan Tan bowl there is amazing if you like spicy and are good with pork. HS

Believe it or not, this is my favorite source for digital. It's just easy for me. And the Wadia sounds fantastic. And headphone central is ready for action.

Enjoying the views outside my new apartment this morning. Pretty epic. Maki seems to be adjusting pretty well. Instead of christening the new yard with champagne, she used some other fluids. The first thing Al and I did was to make the new deck safe for Maki by applying chicken wire to all the railings. Wire provided by Uncle Al. Maki loves her Uncle! I'm certainly no photographer, but the dappled light coming through the trees in the morning is incredible.

here is actual footage from Bing

I wanted to take a minute to reflect on my previous post. 😝 🍆

No, but I can get you a copy.

These were some seriously delicious dumplings we had in SF the other day.

Funny, I use an old portable player too for the same reason. Bits is bits.

Rashida by Jon Lucien (1973) https://album.link/i/1261594373 Example: Jon's voice and the bass line do it for me. Super groove on the entire album with wide range of colors.

tbh I wrote the post BEFORE I noticed subliminal?

I'm sure you meant to have the reflection in the TV, no?

MoonDial by Pat Metheny (2024) https://album.link/i/1733722355 Example: Enjoyed the new release from Pat. Playing with his new guitar. Mellow, but a good listen, well recorded.

The landlord seemed baffled at the size of "the stereo" for a 400 s.f. apartment. "Stereo? Oh no, that's just the video system. The stereo is still packed in boxes." These non audiophiles. They're so odd. Yes, that's a woodburning stove behind. Something I'll never use. Still have my Alaskan blood. Never used the heat in my last place in 7 years. I do have a few electric heaters if needed, but pretty sure they'll gather dust too.

How Does That Grab You? by Nancy Sinatra (1966) https://album.link/i/148036928 Example: There are other great tracks on this album, but this one is just so good. Most that just know it from Kill Bill probably don't realize that it is from 1966 (when Quentin was 3). There is a new version of the album this year. But it went to the pure, old standard of hard left and hard right stereo, which works okay in some systems, but not headphones for this dude. Most of the time I will take mono or blended for headphones. Good album..

Gorillaz (2001)

I haven't mentioned it before now, because it's been a bit of a scramble, but today I signed a lease on a new apartment. I'm going to miss my current place, but my landlord's Father is getting too old to care for himself completely, and he's going to move into my apartment, so that he can still have some sense of self reliance. But Sheri can better help him out. My new apartment is 20 minutes West/Northwest, in a sleepy town called Nicasio. I use the term town loosely. I'm in the middle of giant Redwood trees. And I do mean in the middle. It's absolutely gorgeous! Maki will have 5 big dogs as neighbors. The landlords are dog softies and have foster failed with each one. Though Maki will have her own fenced yard. And this apartment has a doggy door, which is phenomenal. It's a bit smaller than my current place, but does have a sizable deck overlooking the forest of giant Redwoods, and much more kitchen cabinet space for my abundant kitchen appliance collection. Maki can bark all she wants, and I can crank the music as loud as I want. Currently my apartment is below a house, and that keeps it quite a bit cooler than the house above me. This new place is below a garage with a concrete slab floor, and the trees block out a lot of direct sunlight. So it should be even cooler than this place. It was quite comfortable at 4:00 today. I've had the heater vent blocked since the day I moved in almost 7 years ago. And will never need the heater in the new place. Still have my Alaska blood. Should be in on the first. Will take some pics after getting situated. Nate, do you remember the hike we went on last time you were out here? It's just a little further up the road from there, and very similar surroundings. The only downside is no in-house washer/dryer, but that's not the end of the world. It has two large closets with hanging rods, where my current apartment has none. And as a gay man, I do have an adequate clothing collection. I threw out about 20 pair of old shoes today. So only about 80-90 pair to have to move. Norm Abram would covet my plaid collection. Haven't counted but at least 40-50 plaid shirts alone. 50-60 hats, etc... You know, a perfectly reasonable wardrobe. I did slim my T-shirt collection considerably today, and have about 50 to take to Goodwill/Salvation Army. My 50-60 pair of boxer briefs and 100-120 pair of socks will remain intact. I get nervous with less. I will most likely be thinning my crazy audio cable/adapter collection soon. Will post to give anyone an opportunity to claim any unwanted items. Only 20 minutes from Compound Bedecarre, so Al, Claire and Dorothy won't easily be rid of me.

I need some Asian in my life after seeing those dumplings...yummy chow! I just opened myself up for a doozy...LOL. It's a bit of a poop show here in that there's construction in Asia Town (often referred to as China Town but it's grown well beyond that). Just down the road from me but horrific traffic...I need to hit the back roads for some spicy Udon or some Ramen... Grahame has yet again left me peckish... HS