UPS strikes again

People tell me all shippers are the same but here in Austin, I've had more problems with UPS than any other carrier when it comes to gear being shipped. Today brought another example of their idea of 'handling' when this arrived on my doorstep. Normally UPS won't deliver anything without a signature but I guess the driver was too embarrassed to stick around for me to answer the door.  This gash goes clear through the outer box and shows evidence of contact being made with the internal component 4" inside. Do you think the forklift operators actually take aim at the 'fragile' signs? I only ask as this is not the first time I've seen such damage. Fortunately, all inside seems ok but really, if I can ever avoid using UPS I do and I discourage anyone from shipping audio gear through them.

Eventually, everything hits the used market

After loving what the somewhat mysteriously designed BSG qol did when I had it for review last year, I was wondering how long it would take for one to turn up on the second-hand market. Well, now one has, at $1500k off the list price, it may be the start of a supply for the less well-heeled. I have no data to back up this point but I always advise people to watch the various lists assiduously if they really want to find a piece, sooner or later what you want will show up.  Hey, you can now get those Magicos at 50% off is you try. Of course, you have to factor in your time and how much you really save when you commit so many hours to a search but hey, price browsing on the 'Gon is fun right?

Analog labor of love in the news

Short but interesting video piece on music restoration from The Guardian today. Glad some newspapers think this worthy of news. 

What do you call a pair of parodies?

Or how can you know parody from the original? I don't know but I have been amusingly parodied on the Naim forum where member Jan-Erik turned my Unease of the Audiophile sketch from a couple of years back into an alternative, the Ease of the Naimophile. It is good fun.

It's official: men need their caves

Psychologists have spoken: men really do need their caves. "Space is very important for regulating emotions. It's incredibly important to be in one's own space and resonate with who one is" says Dr. Sam Gosling. Point your spouse at this article for confirmation. I particularly like the resonation idea, and the argument that a guy's needs are not met the same way in other spaces. The good doc goes on to argue that this man cave must be designed by the man with 'no compromise'. Now that's good science in the service of audiophiles. If only we could get the same science to work on reviewing!

How to use the Dr. Feickert Adjust+ software

If you've wondered what the Feickert software can do for you when adjusting your cartridge, here's an example of azimuth setting through crosstalk measurement. And this is just one parameter, I gather the tool can do more. Yes, I know, pretty soon you can spend as much on set up devices as you can on your table but if you are in for the long-haul, you've got to be tempted. Of course, as I run a Mac and an SME V, I am not sure this would ever help me but it is interesting to note how far we've come in the effort to improve the vinyl experience.

The master passes

Sad but not too surprised to learn this week of the death of great cello player Janos Starker. I'd been drawn to the great Kodaly recordings over the last year and they never fail to move me. There's little anyone can add to the praise that he received in his lifetime but he really was a wonderful character. At Indiana, he was one of the last faculty who could get away with lighting a cigarette in his office and I love the quote from Maria Kliegel, former student, who said he once commented on a piece she'd played for him that 'if you ever play so out of tune again I'll deny I was ever your teacher'. Put on a recording, have a scotch, and let the man's music live on.

There is a memorial site at Indiana now for those wishing to leave remembrances.