Archive through April 02, 2005

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 844
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 08:31 am:

Rick, et al - G-day to you! A "rust" member? Well, now that is somehow not in keeping with your image, sir! As in the old saying: "I may wear out, but I won't rust out." That IS an old saying, isn't it? (grin)

No, I think "Titanium" is more like it. Let's see if Admin picks up on that!

Well, last night was another of the forum's "slow times", and I couldn't access the site all evening. So - later this morning, check with the hi-res thread for my latest SACD review.

SM - I'll leave it up to the experts on this thread, but I'd sure worry a bit about getting enough air circulation around your tube amp with those bookcases! I know that, with the NAD, I finally had to open up the entire back of my cabinet - or at least the area in back of the NAD. Even a few inches of "dam" in back keeps in the hot air - which none of us wants. (there's enough of that on this thread! - grin)

Jan's fan-idea on "Tube Talk" is a good one.

More after Br-fast. . . if the forum lets me in.

Relevant Product Info

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 973
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 09:00 am:

Larry,

Good day to you sir. Thanks for the compliments, but I'm sure there are those on the forum that think I'm a rusty old relic. LOL! I'm sure starting to feel like one. Do you think I'll feel reborn down in that Florida sunshine? Enjoy your breakfast.

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 231
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 09:39 am:

Rick,

I knew you'd see it. That magazine subscription is a gift from my momma. ;-)

JohnA

The above photo shows the Maggies in "resting" position. See the Tube Talk thread for a photo with the new tube system and the Maggies in "playing" position. Re: the 'sideways' comment - that was originally brought up by 2C as a dealer recommendation and it means turning the speakers so they face each other. The sides would be perpendicular for the most part to the front wall and the listener. 2C was surprised at the quality of sound in that position but felt they lost some imaging.

Larry,

In this case, taking the back of the bookcase off isn't an option. Based on Jan's comments, I may have to worry more about what the heat does to the bookcase than the amp. I will be investigating the options.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 845
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:03 am:

SM - OK, didn't mean to take off the whole back, just enlarge the opening behind the amp. . .

Rick - if there were ever a place where one could "rust out," it's here in Flawed-Duh! (grin) But the climate is good for squeaky old joints and drippy sinuses. Only time my old tennis elbow and scrapey hip joints act up anymore is when the temp gets down near freezing - then I, too, feel my rusty old age!

Ah, yes, breakfast: sliced tomatoes (hand-picked by me) sauteed in olive oil, over which is poured a mixture of eggs, thyme, sea salt and fine-chopped Thai peppers. Topped with habanero-cheddar cheese, lidded and cooked over low-medium heat until fluffed up. Makes for a beautiful presentation and absolutely mind-enabling taste! Gets the gray cells waltzing - (grin)

See hi-res. . .

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 232
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:40 am:

2C,

Tried the sideways Maggie position. I was able to pull them out into the room far enough that the right speaker had a wall behind it instead of a door opening. Didn't like the sound at all. I found there was no sweet spot and many mid-range details were lost.

So, they will be used in the more traditional position. I think there are some acoustical treatments I can do to sweeten the sound even more than what it is currently giving me.

Larry,

I'm not sure what I will do. I would be willing to cut the cabinet to make the current hole in the back taller but I won't go any wider. The amp barely covers the width of the whole right now. :-) The opening right now is approximately 3"h x8"w. I could probably make it 5" tall. First, I think I'll look into getting a fan. Would the fans be mounted on the bookcase? Will the fans introduce noise? Do I need to even worry about this? I don't keep my amp on 24x7.

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 233
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:45 am:

Kegger,

The outer edges of the maggies are 8' apart when in play.

Larry,

Athena has been stuck to me like glue today - at her request. :-) She's followed me around all morning, jumping into my lap, crawling over my head and shoulders. I think she feels guilty for the stress she caused yesterday. lol

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 848
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:46 am:

SM - I think you need Jan's input re the fans. As you know, the NAD has built-in ones - but as to a separate one, I've never dealt with that issue.

I do know that the fan would, indeed, be mounted on the bookcase, and should add no appreciable noise.

Now that the Maggies are truly getting "broken in," do you hear any difference? I know the B&Ws smoothed out after a couple hundred hours - not before.

And oh, yes! Don't you dare cover up that blue light! (double grin) If you've read about Rick's BLs, you know he'd be down there in a minute to "deal with you" for being anti-BL! Maybe Kegger would join the fray. I'm too old to fight, so would just sit on the sidelines and cluck-cluck. (chortle)

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 849
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:48 am:

SM - messages crossed paths, again. Yep, cats do have a way of saying:"uh, sorry, but I was just having a good time. Didn't mean to get you upset." Been there - many times!

Now go make yourself a proper breakfast, gal!!!

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3263
Registered: May-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 03:31 pm:

"Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 11:34 am:
Jan Vigne
Bronze Member
Post Number: 19

Thursday, March 24, 2005 - 12:10 pm:
Jan Vigne
Gold Member
Post Number: 3255"

It was a busy afternoon, but I hung in there.

"All speakers (including panels, ribbons, electrostatics) have their best frequency response when heard on-axis"

All? Best? Oh, John, there you go again. Firstly, you have obviously never heard a Thiel loudspeaker. Secondly, the smoothest response will be a function of the dispersion characteristics of the driver, the surround material as it joins the cone or dome to the frame, the baffle surface area and construction plus the room the speakers are placed in. There are a number of manufacturers who suggest none to little toe in.

*********************

"I think she feels guilty for the stress she caused yesterday."

We are talking about a cat, aren't we? Guilty? Oh, Anthropomorphism, what a cruel mistress you are!

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2335
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 04:13 pm:

Now this is amazing!
----------------------------

Jan Vigne
Bronze Member
Username: Jan_b_vigne

dallas , tx

Post Number: 26
Registered: May-04
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 04:36 pm:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would not be using a receiver to drive ML's. The dealer where you bought the speakers surely was not using a receiver; were they?

Anonymous

Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 05:49 pm:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the input. At the dealer where I auditioned the speakers, they did use a receiver, but I purchased the speakers through Audiogon. Any separates that you think would work better? Would the NADs be a good match? I know I have to listen to them, just trying to get to a manageable level of units to audition.

BTW, glad to see you finally got everything sorted out with the imposter Jan.

Jan Vigne
Gold Member
Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas , TX

Post Number: 3240
Registered: May-04
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 06:02 pm:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have made it a policy to not do product recommendations of the forum (well, hardly ever). There are plenty of people who will give an opinion about what gear they prefer, but I think there is too much to consider before anyone can tell you what you should even look at. I remember reading about a ML forum. If you can find that, I'd start by reading what other people are using. Though I have nothing against the used market at all (much of what I own was purchased used), give your local dealer a shot. Good local dealers are going to be a vanishing breed with the ascendance of the internet unless they get some support from the audiophiles they were created to serve.

--------------------------------------------------------

Holy toledo 3214 posts in an hour and a half!
Whoo that is puttin the pedal to the medal.
He should get solid gold member for those actions!

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3264
Registered: May-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 05:03 pm:

I'm still favoring a nice hat, that's all I require. Well, that and some BandAids for my typing finger.

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 236
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 05:21 pm:

We are talking about a cat, aren't we? Guilty? Oh, Anthropomorphism, what a cruel mistress you are!

LOL! I suppose my comments could be wide open to interpretation. However, yes, disappointing as it may be to some of you, we are talking about a cat. My kitten, Athena, found a hiding place which I cannot find and stayed in it for 2 hours while I frantically searched the house...and the closets...and the cabinets....and the crawlspace...and the backyard...and the neighbors.... Interrupted my listening session as well as threw my shopping plans behind schedule. Damn cat.

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3265
Registered: May-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 05:23 pm:

1814 - Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, inventor of the guillotine dies. He was a pain in the neck, anyway.

1892: Death of U.S. poet laureate Walt Whitman. "To states everywhere, resist much; obey little."

1937 - In Crystal City, Texas, spinach growers erect a statue of the cartoon character Popeye

1942: Birth of Aretha Franklin.

1954: RCA manufactures the first color television set.

1955: U.S. Customs confiscate 520 copies of Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" as they enter the U.S. It will then be published by City Lights publishers in San Francisco, leading to the arrest of publisher (and prominent poet) Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Customs also seized and destroyed another shipment of Ginsberg's poetry sent from Canada in the 60s.

1956: At the conclusion of Alan Freed's 3-day Rock 'n' Roll Show at the Stage Theater in Hartford, Connecticut, police arrest 11 teens and pull the theater's license to operate. Hartford Institute of Living psychiatrist Dr. Francis J. Braceland to testify at license hearings that rock and roll is: "a communicable disease with music appealing to adolescent insecurity and driving teenagers to do outlandish things...It's cannibalistic and tribalistic."

1969: The newly wed John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their famous "bed-in for peace" at the Amsterdam Hilton.

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3266
Registered: May-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 05:26 pm:

"My kitten, Athena, found a hiding place which I cannot find and stayed in it for 2 hours while I frantically searched the house ... "

My suggestion - no reporting this to PETA - close her in a room with mid fi equipment playing. That'll teach her to appreciate what she has.

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 237
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 05:35 pm:

Larry,

Now that the Maggies are truly getting "broken in," do you hear any difference? I know the B&Ws smoothed out after a couple hundred hours - not before.

And oh, yes! Don't you dare cover up that blue light! (double grin) If you've read about Rick's BLs, you know he'd be down there in a minute to "deal with you" for being anti-BL!

It's difficult to say because I've changed so many things. The Maggies sounded wonderful from the first night I connected them. It only took a couple of hours to realize, I had found my speaker nirvana. After 2 weeks, I switched to the HD cable which added more enhancements. Two weeks after that, the Onix arrived and made its glorious impact. So, any "blooming" at this point, could be the result of any or all of those things, I suppose.

Took the cage off the amp last night to expose the tubes. That blue light is still annoying. At some point, I'm going to figure out a way to soften it or maybe even replace it. But, that's low on the list of priorities.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2912
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 08:53 pm:

"All? Best? Oh, John, there you go again."

Sorry. Let's say "most". And "best" is a personal preference, as always. No, I have not heard a Thiel loudspeaker. But SM angles the Maggies in, as we see, for listening. I assume we mostly prefer the full frequency range, where possible. But if one disconnects the tweeter....

As regards lights, I dislike them all, and have some cardboard to rest against the front panels of the amp, tuner and DVD player. Unfortunately, it cuts out the action of the remote. A far-red-pass filter would let it through, probably. Blue annoys me particularly, I don't know why. A piece of black tape over the light would do just as well, and still let the IR sensor still see the remote.

I found the newly-rebuilt Quads needed no breaking in. Like Maggies, I think, they have no coils to loosen up. Incidentally, Jan, the Quads amply illustrate your point, made ages ago, that the stereo sound stage can be wider than the distance between the speakers.

Rick, your posts have been golden since day one. We must have a celebration ready when you start the second millennium.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 852
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 09:49 pm:

And that's when the vase shattered. But let me explain.

It all started when we turned on the Prairie Home Companion radio show - which featured a repeat broadcast with the Minnesota Symphony. Fine, so far.

But as we got into the show, Mer said that she really liked the fact that the subwoofer brought out a part of the music she particularly liked.

OK - she's a "bass freak." Yep. No doubt about it. She is IN LOVE with the Mordaunt-Short sub. Sigh.

Anyway, she asked me about crossover points, and I explained, and then she wanted the point set up to 120, rather than 80. I did it. Reluctantly.

It was OK until the orchestra started to play the overture to "Die Meistersinger," Wagner at one of his better outings. Lots of music. Lots of bass.

Well, Mer said she wanted to hear more bass, and asked if that were possible. I (in a moment of mind-weakness) said: "sure, Mer, there's a little knob on the back, right next to the switch with the red and green lights." Hmmm. . .

Well, she went over to the sub and turned up the switch - to full volume. Big mistake.

The orchestra got into the music, and the sound got louder and boomier, and all of a sudden there was this awful shattering sound. My world stopped, but hers continued as she really vegged out with her beloved bass sound. Sigh.

When the music stopped, I went over and found the source of the "shattering sound." A very expensive crystal vase - a present to us from some wealthy friends - had been vibrated off its shelf and had crashed into a small sculpture on the table below. Not any way to repair it. A thousand pieces. Estimated price of the vase - oh, about $3,000. No, we didn't pay for it - but now I don't know how to explain to the giver what happened - if they show up for a visit, that is!!! This is one time I hope they stay away!!!

Sigh - I can't seem to get through to my super-bright wife that thumpy, boomy bass is NOT "normal." She loves it - maybe she was entranced by a boom-box at birth? Who knows?

Anyway - I've swept up the glass shards, turned DOWN the subwoofer, and told Mer that the music will be more balanced from now on. Period. End of discussion. No chance of re-thinking. Nope. NO!!!

Well, that was my evening - and now I'm hiding in the den while Mer channels through all of her beloved TV stations. Sigh. A vast wasteland, for sure! But there's no subwoofer!!! (heh, heh, heh)

John A. - sorry, my friend, but you are one of the "unfortunate ones" if you cannot abide the wunnerful world of Blue Lites! How sad for you, to be missing one of life's little pleasures. I know there's nothing I can say to persuade you to change your attitude, so all I can say is "I'm really sorry for you." Pity. Maybe Rick, in his persuasive best, can turn you around?

Away to some reading - I've about had it with music for one day!

More anon. . .

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3267
Registered: May-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:16 pm:

SM - I have used some blue gel lighting filters to place over the lights on my HT receiver. They will darken the color and reduce the intensity of the lights. I will gladly send you a few samples if you wish to try the idea. You can also go to a good camera shop and look at the lens filters they have available.

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3268
Registered: May-04

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:22 pm:

If the bothersome blue light is the small lamp above the volume control, go to an art supply shop and find an artist's marking pen in the color of your choice. Obviously you cannot change the light to yellow or red by using a marking pen, but you can eliminate much of the annoying blue. I simply took a Sharpie to the power indicators on my HT system. It leaves a ring around the edge of the indicator that lets you know light is on, but dramatically cuts down on the amount of light.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2336
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 11:34 pm:

I was going to ask if anyone had any "tweaks" for the blue light issue!

As I know what sm is talking about, for some reason when the "blue" lights
are to bright they can be eye pearcing where other colors don't seem to be.
When I put the blue lights in my equipment I have the advantage of a dropping resistor.
But not everyone is going to change a resistor nor should they to tame the light.

Anyone have any other ideas as I love the blue lights but feel the need to tame some!

Great ideas Jan, any others if you like the light but want to lessen it?
I have a blue sharpie that I may try to see if it keeps some of the brightness down.

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 240
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 11:41 pm:

The sharpie idea sounds like an easy tweak. I want to see the glow of the tubes and that blue light is just too bright. I will say, I miss the Mac's nighttime face in my living room. :-) I might try a black sharpie.

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 974
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 12:34 am:

Jan,

Putting the cat in a room with a mid-fi system? Don't we have a constitutional amendment against cruel and unusual punishment? PETA would not be happy. They are still pissed about that little dance thing with the chicken..........

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2914
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 02:23 am:

Not sure if we are still recommending movies, but 28 Days Later... (2002). Chilling, plausible (well, more than most sci-fi). Some beautiful shots of a great city. After the outbreak... I see it is longer and called "29 Days Later" in US, I do not know why that is. Some moral points to consider, if one likes. Recommended to "animal libertionists". Not for the squeamish. Gripping stuff.

All I can think of to connect with the above is blue lights. As on police cars, ambulances, etc. Very weak link, I admit... (smiley set of asci characters here).

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3270
Registered: May-04

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 03:06 am:

OK, John, I've put "libertionist" in my dictionary and it spit out, "Huh?" Please explain to us Yanks what a "libertionist" is or does.

Speaking of chicken dances, it's full moon time again. It's a bit chilly and drizzling rain so I hope no one has any specific requests.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2916
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 04:11 am:

Sorry, Jan, "liberationist"!

Nothing in that movie about cats and dogs, pet lovers! (There are some good Doppler effects, though, Jan, espcially near the end. Surround helps....!)

Friends, I did it: made a new thread. Under Home Audio; Speakers:

Quad Electrostatic Loudspeaker 63.

Not sure how that will go down.

I am not receiving notification e-mails. Probably need to clear out the in-box. Apologies for being out of the loop.

Full moon? Does anyone here care that Easter Sunday is fixed as the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox? They cut it a bit fine this year. It would be difficult to make it earlier. You can't do all the pag_n stuff at Easter, Jan. Show some repect. What with his holiness being in bad shape and all.

Chilly and drizzling rain? In Dallas? Here it is sun, bursting buds, daffodils, new-born lambs and piglets on the urban farm, lengthing days, and The Boat Race. We now have family loyalty for light blue. I always found it hard to take sides, before.

What a super place to live.

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1606
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 04:23 am:

Full moon, many a loon!

So here's Jan, ready to do the chicken dance or anything else you ask - no kidding!

http://www.subservientchicken.com/

You'll soon discover Jan can be a lot of fun in his chicken suit.

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 975
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 11:03 am:

Jan,

Just pull on your wool socks, and keep the dance short.

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 976
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 11:06 am:

Happy Easter to Christians everywhere.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2917
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 11:45 am:

The Boat Race is now very close to US-style professional college sport: sponsorship; advertising, team members who are full-time athletes with no obvious connection with the place they row for.

Light blue came second by a length or more. Of course, we have to remember it is not the winning, but the game itself....

Hey Rick, what about the rest of us...?

[I thought you were not supposed to say things like that in US, of all places; I was reproached by everyone for saying "Happy Christmas". Could never see the problem. If you don't recognise the basis of the festival, it is still a good wish....]

But Happy Easter, in return, if I may, to you, Rick, and to all here.

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 977
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 12:30 pm:

John,

Thank you John. I have never worried about being PC. I was just sincerely acknowledging the holiday. The last time I saw the polls, there were still a lot of Christians in the world. LOL!
Heck, if a Buddist can acknowledge a Christian, and a Christian a Muslim, and a Muslim a Jew, who knows what can happen. I will stop here. I'm starting to sound very left wing, and Jan has a big smile on his face.

I'll just leave you with this thought. My daughter put her eggs from her Easter hunt, next to her laughing Buddha. Not bad from a little Jewish girl from New York.

Peace and music to all!

Gold Member

Username: Jan_b_vigne

Dallas, TX

Post Number: 3272
Registered: May-04

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 02:49 pm:

John - I have danced nekked for the sake of the Pope, and he got out of the hospital. So he's OK in my book for now. The Pagan stuff has to get credit for some things that happen. If nothing else, a lot of Wiccans got soused on herbal concoctions out in the woods the other night, fell asleep under a tree with their favorite fairy and the D.W.I. rate dipped for a night.

How about we all celebrate the Resurrection? The trees are beginning to bud out. The flowers are out and the asparagus is coming up through the soil. The Spring tomatoes are in the ground and growing. Mother Nature has renewed herself one more time here in the Northern Hemisphere. Now if only those damn Republicans will stop stomping on her every chance they get.

Rantz - What can I say? Some people look for pictures of rooms with nice hifi's in them. You look for rooms with people in chicken suits. I'm not sure what to worry about the most. That you thought to look for that site, or that you knew where to find it. Though not quite appropriate for the nekked chicken dance in the full moon light, it is amazing stuff. It reminds me of a party back in my college days. The garters are over the top. Judging from the ankle bracelet, can I assume this is Martha Stewart's new rules for house arrest?

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1608
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 06:05 pm:

J.V.

The link may have been inappropriate for nakked chicken dancers, but I tend to save interesting links, jokes, humorous videos or recordings that friends send to me so I can pass them along to share with others. I certainly don't go looking for them for the sake of adding something to this forum. There is enough funnystrangeridiculouswierd shite on here to last me lifetime.

Like stereo, tubes, planar speakers and multi-denominational political correct posters.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2342
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 06:34 pm:

I'm niether democrat,republican,liberal or affiliated to any party.

I just vote for the least of the idiots lately!

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1609
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 06:37 pm:

Kegger,

I appreciate your votes LOL!

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 980
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 09:07 pm:

I'll vote for that!

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2920
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 08:13 am:

Thanks, RIck. All strength to the Barneses and especially that marvellous daughter. A sense of awe and mystery is something to cherish, and should never leave us. Our 6-yr old's argument for believing is "because there has to be a reason for everything". I treat that with respect. Seems to me it as as good as anything from St Thomas Aquinus and such guys.

KEGGER,

"I just vote for the least of the idiots lately!"

For me, personally, that eliminates politicians. That's the trap that I'm in.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2343
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 12:49 pm:

John I know what you mean with that last comment for sure, no dought!

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1611
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 06:57 pm:

Larry

Sorry to hear about your crystal vase. You could always use the excuse that when playing your favourite opera recording with your 705's, Mer got so carried away as she joined in, she found a high note she never thought possible and shattered the vase.

BTW - it might be time to tell Mer that low frequency sound waves could destroy cities [grin].

Insurance?

Pleased to read that you're back into the music again with the replacement Yamaha. Hope this one lasts the distance.

As for the blue lights - our (now replaced) Luxman DVD player had a very bright, distracting 'on' light but was soon toned back with a little nail polish.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2924
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 07:09 pm:

Thanks, Kegger. Maybe there are some good ones, but it is hard to tell. They all seem to want power. I heard a phrase somewhere once, "I wish I was as certain of anything as ____ is of everything".

OK, let's vote for MR. We can try not to worry about the nail polish.... :]) (I can never do those things).

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1612
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 07:30 pm:

John

You mean you don't don a little nail polish and maybe some lip gloss occassionally? How disappointing!

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 857
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 10:35 pm:

MR - interesting story-end with the vase. After the "incident," I asked Mer how she felt about losing such an expensive present. Hmmm. . .here goes.

When our friends gave us the vase (a moving-away present from them) the woman, named Jan, told me pointedly that it was a special "Orrefors" crystal vase, and they had bought it for us for $3,000. Wellll, I gulped, and thanked her profusely, saying the usual "it's too expensive" stuff.

A year after our "departing party" the couple came out to Colorado to visit us. Apparently, Mer said something to him about "such an expensive" present, and that we'd taken extra-good care of it. I never heard about the conversation - until the morning after the vase fell off the shelf and smashed.

When I expressed great alarm to Mer about our "$3,000 present," she began to laugh. At first, I got angry, but then she told me what Vick had told her several years ago.

Seems "the wife" is very image-conscious, and said that the vase cost $3,000 - when, in truth, it cost $700. "Huh?" I said to Mer. . .and she apologized for never telling me, she just forgot about it.

Anyway - IF we see Vick and Jan again, we'll have to tell them that there was an accident - and see what they have to say about it then! Will they fess up about the cost? Will the woman be embarrassed? Will the man repeat what he told Mer before? will a hurricane hit our house this year?

Life in Swampville is pretty dull most of the time, but when the vase falls. . . . aha!! (grin)

You suppose anybody out in Hollywood would see that as a good movie plot? On second thought. . .

And no, we don't have it as a separate rider on our insurance. We could file, I suppose, and will ask our agent about it. But setting the worth is now a bit dicey, don't you think?

Our "regular" artwork is all on a separate rider, because it's worth more than all of our household goods put together. The vase falls (bad pun) under the general household coverage, as we've never line-listed it. We'll see. . .

Jan V. - very disappointed in the RCA re-issue of Saint-Saens' "Organ Symphony." See Discoveries, please. . . hope the other Living Stereo stuff is better than that.

SM - I'll e-mail you. . .

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 858
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 10:41 pm:

PS on the vase-story. Now that we think about it, we're not sure that the vase even cost $700! All we know is that it was very good crystal! So, whom do we believe? (grin)

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 859
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 10:54 pm:

2C - did you get my private message(s) sir? Hope so.

Don RX-1

Silver Member

Username: Ojophile

ON

Post Number: 274
Registered: Jun-04

Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 11:14 pm:

Larry,

Is the 'expensive' vase from the Wan-Tai dynasty?