tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60354968986825872562024-03-05T04:40:51.349-08:00:: the austin hifi blog ::Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-63923843351982328212015-09-28T13:57:00.000-07:002015-09-28T15:18:51.046-07:00Austin Hifi Inc. at T.H.E. Newport: pics and reports<p>We always have a great time at the Newport audio show! It's great to catch up with old friends and make new ones! </p><p>I thought I'd share a few comments and photos from around the internet.</p><p>
<p>Sasha Matson from <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/sasha-matsons-day-2-newport-show#ZF2K4uhPXfR5piDD.97">Stereophile</a> dropped by for a chat and to have a listen and filed this report:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxbqAydY7PAaYnXi7BarzC69xFUVAAEAoVCPKDM3stvJ80PFkptOxkuVieiVwgZxgtmUXtbREhYzIPhxk8jkwO9pYRb_7BJ7FJvoyL7U4gkDLW5HvzNR3qcUTBmdBykUjyNIyjagWytOm/s1600/Sasha+Matson+Stereophile+2015+Newport_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxbqAydY7PAaYnXi7BarzC69xFUVAAEAoVCPKDM3stvJ80PFkptOxkuVieiVwgZxgtmUXtbREhYzIPhxk8jkwO9pYRb_7BJ7FJvoyL7U4gkDLW5HvzNR3qcUTBmdBykUjyNIyjagWytOm/s400/Sasha+Matson+Stereophile+2015+Newport_01.jpg" /><i>(click image to enlarge!)</i></a></div></p>
<p>Robert E. Greene from <a href="http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-show-2015-speakers-under-20000/">The Absolute Sound</a> stopped by too:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FX0efp6giL7aD055zrs2lClzmiZVh2uaz53yoPdh6SsLQlwNv6RX6Q4dJcTlNmgy6buVM_TxnbPS-aTTfC8l8QYsTDx9Tuq_Ed5Hts1zwA6Bw4RudDDVEo_eS_s7BstekMa6niWBln8E/s1600/absolute+sound+tocaro+newport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FX0efp6giL7aD055zrs2lClzmiZVh2uaz53yoPdh6SsLQlwNv6RX6Q4dJcTlNmgy6buVM_TxnbPS-aTTfC8l8QYsTDx9Tuq_Ed5Hts1zwA6Bw4RudDDVEo_eS_s7BstekMa6niWBln8E/s400/absolute+sound+tocaro+newport.jpg" /><i>(click image to enlarge!)</i></a></div></p>
<p>Rafe Arnott from Part-Time Audiophile paid us a visit! <a href="http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2015/06/29/newport-2015-austin-hifi-presents-tocaro-crimson-linn-and-resolution-audio/">Here's the link to Rafe's blog post.</a></p>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJCXmRBo_xeORSOEYyH6A24YSJYKyvEIbk6-nZvVZYIth9jvm6nuR0QHa8TSG9QhSU4Z3-rgRSRWjuTwNzCawlgSOMpbfIHnAEiyXhtXD3lkSAkKbf-cgOhvBS5aD4USphzflUGAOhFZJ/s1600/tocaro-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJCXmRBo_xeORSOEYyH6A24YSJYKyvEIbk6-nZvVZYIth9jvm6nuR0QHa8TSG9QhSU4Z3-rgRSRWjuTwNzCawlgSOMpbfIHnAEiyXhtXD3lkSAkKbf-cgOhvBS5aD4USphzflUGAOhFZJ/s400/tocaro-1.jpg" /><i>(click image to enlarge!)</i></a></div></p>
<p>Here's a nice black and white pic from <a href="http://positive-feedback.com/show-reports/the-show-newport-2015-part-2-2/">Positive Feedback</a> of the Crimson CS640E-III Mono Power Amplifiers, the Crimson CS710 Pre-amplifier and my vintage Linn LP-12 turntable. Below them is the Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqx9Ged1ep77f2L9cPwQMQDs_qa1IXsY2vdFsRY8z22iBhyphenhyphent-sx8DD95VUygKfnCrTxeGswW4B4Ie42CLu81r5BIyM8WzVlVjKD59n1CIvu1gfYXp3DlDVavHCtfoCnPAe6uGeavM_Mqo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-28+at+12.32.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqx9Ged1ep77f2L9cPwQMQDs_qa1IXsY2vdFsRY8z22iBhyphenhyphent-sx8DD95VUygKfnCrTxeGswW4B4Ie42CLu81r5BIyM8WzVlVjKD59n1CIvu1gfYXp3DlDVavHCtfoCnPAe6uGeavM_Mqo/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-09-28+at+12.32.01+PM.png" /></a></div></p>
<p>...and a nice pic of our room from <a href="http://audiofederation.com/blog/2015/06/12/austin-hifi-crimson-products-tocaro-loudspeakers-resolution-audio-newport-2015">Audio Federation</a>.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf3N8e0cCUMXu120Rvw4c0igScE0K2VR_7PvWigyfY5LwkE0gkwe4rwzqGcSMzTKZgoaqZSm-g5AGLPKmDDH9XSx9pPgLq28NOuSozeNuE_GigDnqYfTxOGfa8DPk0zc5dFrYB8zcEb74/s1600/audiofederation.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf3N8e0cCUMXu120Rvw4c0igScE0K2VR_7PvWigyfY5LwkE0gkwe4rwzqGcSMzTKZgoaqZSm-g5AGLPKmDDH9XSx9pPgLq28NOuSozeNuE_GigDnqYfTxOGfa8DPk0zc5dFrYB8zcEb74/s400/audiofederation.jpg" /></a><p>Thanks to everyone who came by!</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-80699065242976739462015-04-09T13:05:00.000-07:002015-04-09T13:05:19.539-07:00Austin Hifi at T.H.E. Show Newport - May 29 - May 31, 2015<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIEmaWDQTWvEaOyexwdz4oeO1AYi-oNnT8JLsRUOgRQS-uFVuqbw_dukqWpuxpN1sTUBdBn7s4O5TTVacU8ZMlwAs6AGkdTM0bj7V1FmQfiXJObGtRankPmgIGCXyphyDRMK0fClR2Ra3/s1600/THEShow_LOGO2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIEmaWDQTWvEaOyexwdz4oeO1AYi-oNnT8JLsRUOgRQS-uFVuqbw_dukqWpuxpN1sTUBdBn7s4O5TTVacU8ZMlwAs6AGkdTM0bj7V1FmQfiXJObGtRankPmgIGCXyphyDRMK0fClR2Ra3/s320/THEShow_LOGO2015.png" /></a></div><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
<p>Austin Hifi will be at The Hotel Irvine, room 326 at <a href="http://theshownewport.com/">T.H.E. Show Newport Beach, 2015.</a>
<p>If you're going to T.H.E.Show Newport this year, or if you live in the Southern California area, come visit Austin Hifi at The Hotel Irvine in room 326!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hotel+Irvine/@33.6870001,-117.774252,12z/data=!4m5!1m2!2m1!1shotel+irvine!3m1!1s0x80dcde85dee606c7:0x84a9c455ba214a57"><i>Click here for directions to The Hotel Irvine.</i></a></p>
<p>You can buy a one-day pass for $15 or a three-day pass for $40 <a href="http://theshownewport.com/buy-tickets/">by clicking here!</a>
<p>We'll be showing and playing the Crimson CS710 Pre-amplifier and Crimson CS640E-III Mono Power Amplifiers with the Tocaro 42 Loudspeakers. Of course, we'll also be playing the Cantata Music Center by Resolution Audio. And we wouldn't even think of using anything but Crimson Audio Cables!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.crimsonelectronics.com"><i>Visit the Crimson Products Ltd. website.</i></a>
<p><a href="http://tocaro.de"><i>Visit the Tocaro Loudspeakers website.</i></a>
<p><a href="http://www.resolutionaudio.com/"><i>Visit the Resolution Audio website.</i></a><br />Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-71928522897530706722014-08-05T14:05:00.000-07:002014-08-05T14:05:08.520-07:00The Disney Multi-Plane Camera (1957)<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YdHTlUGN1zw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-49602749477992247142014-05-01T15:45:00.000-07:002014-05-01T15:45:50.792-07:00Austin Hifi at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach, May 30 - June 1, 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwUUNxyICXboejW8v4zKLdWmhyS-KPpDDiZS5mPlJYMxvQdh28fexTeubiMQlLYqfLP106Qs3G936A3yZIwYJymuU1_VdTiANwTq29KF0BplsTSc0KBFPrfNSTXaVTzgfYqxSUnZQ1rF2/s1600/entrancelogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwUUNxyICXboejW8v4zKLdWmhyS-KPpDDiZS5mPlJYMxvQdh28fexTeubiMQlLYqfLP106Qs3G936A3yZIwYJymuU1_VdTiANwTq29KF0BplsTSc0KBFPrfNSTXaVTzgfYqxSUnZQ1rF2/s320/entrancelogo.jpg" /></a>
<p>If you're going to be at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach this year, or if you live in the Southern California area, come see Austin Hifi at the Hilton Hotel, room 616!</p>
<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=18800+Macarthur+Blvd,+Irvine,+CA+92612"><i>Click here for directions to The Hilton Hotel: Orange County Airport</i></a></p>
<p>We'll be showing and playing the Crimson CS710 Pre-amplifier and Crimson CS640E-III Power-amplifiers with the Tocaro 42 Loudspeakers. Of course, we'll also be playing the Cantata Music Center by Resolution Audio. And we wouldn't think of using anything but Crimson RM Music Link Audio Cables!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.crimsonelectronics.com"><i>Visit the Crimson Products Ltd. website.</i></a></p>
<p><a href="http://tocaro.de"><i>Visit the Tocaro Loudspeakers website.</i></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.resolutionaudio.com/"><i>Visit the Resolution Audio website.</i></a></p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7msENFxCEm25CpJwDePFGsMLvdO8PDlJaMY0cqXOKlGLqf4ahbNY1YVS1y44_K7GUTt08r0W6xg_ntPX3HTvQT7ZqBZLRDvkFlJrUPX1-wRsFh8PA2VxcYdk4rnwvx-HehVqa8-5qucGG/s1600/42D_without_grilles.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7msENFxCEm25CpJwDePFGsMLvdO8PDlJaMY0cqXOKlGLqf4ahbNY1YVS1y44_K7GUTt08r0W6xg_ntPX3HTvQT7ZqBZLRDvkFlJrUPX1-wRsFh8PA2VxcYdk4rnwvx-HehVqa8-5qucGG/s320/42D_without_grilles.jpg" /></a>
<p><i>The Tocaro 42 Loudspeakers, natural finish</i></p>
<p><a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html"><i>Read more about Tocaro Loudspeakers here.</i></a></p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-t2mkHJgDgilT1Jfj2NpW0wedOoOhuT6GeU21IDW4FVSAMBYngZ9Q3LHhCyUvWSIGMWImELY75d4IpQ1VLM7LD67U8r7oDxnELBVdAUbg2oWlR0Om6Bn_fOeCG3J5e4ojaZrnQDtIj8T/s1600/crimsonblogsetca_blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-t2mkHJgDgilT1Jfj2NpW0wedOoOhuT6GeU21IDW4FVSAMBYngZ9Q3LHhCyUvWSIGMWImELY75d4IpQ1VLM7LD67U8r7oDxnELBVdAUbg2oWlR0Om6Bn_fOeCG3J5e4ojaZrnQDtIj8T/s320/crimsonblogsetca_blog3.jpg" /></a>
<p><i>The Crimson CS710 and CS640E-III preamp and amplifiers</i></p>
<p><a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimson.html"><i>Read more about Crimson Electronics here.</i></a></p>
<p>We'll see you there!</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-24838505494784599542014-01-04T15:36:00.000-08:002014-02-13T10:30:57.529-08:00New Crimson Website!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb1xJQ_T_0iv7GDIugESHRfdTobV-v7J2mJwgqxrXZzJwzYJTIsCGXMSqQclC28sV_cC91G1_tUJ-BOXPHs-jUUpVTetivD_Eb7dpel0z8p4oEdEqo2xdlqWhrTp2WVw3gCDrhn2s7sgA/s1600/crimsonweb2screen.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb1xJQ_T_0iv7GDIugESHRfdTobV-v7J2mJwgqxrXZzJwzYJTIsCGXMSqQclC28sV_cC91G1_tUJ-BOXPHs-jUUpVTetivD_Eb7dpel0z8p4oEdEqo2xdlqWhrTp2WVw3gCDrhn2s7sgA/s320/crimsonweb2screen.png" /></a>
<p>Crimson Products Ltd., makers of the world-renowned Crimson CS710 Pre-Amplifier, the CS640E-III and CS620E-III Power Amplifiers as well as the amazing Crimson RM Music Link Audio Cables, have launched a new website for 2014.</p><p>If you haven't had a chance to check it out, please do! You can find it at <a href="http://www.crimsonelectronics.com">www.crimsonelectronics.com</a>.
<p>Happy New Year!</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-19375565939306611912013-11-15T17:21:00.000-08:002015-04-02T15:31:35.536-07:00A beautiful autumn day in Los Angeles!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSpsZbdryaY6Zxv26lw4ItymjwerQlop3p53CeTTthJwfiMGEL3kZmgrsppMGIMrEAchuGKkRUm7XHJ5Bu5qOYc3eTlig3VECtBo5Kz-mXYHwD4oxwPO0L8oesCx5jcbvDAsjHf0rNCFb/s1600/laviewc.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSpsZbdryaY6Zxv26lw4ItymjwerQlop3p53CeTTthJwfiMGEL3kZmgrsppMGIMrEAchuGKkRUm7XHJ5Bu5qOYc3eTlig3VECtBo5Kz-mXYHwD4oxwPO0L8oesCx5jcbvDAsjHf0rNCFb/s400/laviewc.jpg" /><i>(click to enlarge!)</i></a>
<p>I took this picture of L.A. a couple of weeks ago from the Hollywood Bowl Overlook up on Mulholland Drive. It was an exceptionally clear day. For those unfamiliar with the city, I'll give you a guided tour; you'll definitely have to enlarge the photo by clicking on it, though.</p><p> The Hollywood Bowl is in the right foreground, the 101 Freeway is on the left (oddly, traffic seems to be moving!), The Capitol Records building is just left of center, the stretch of buildings just beyond the trees is Hollywood Blvd./Sunset Blvd., and the line of buildings towards the horizon is Wilshire Blvd.</p><p>But what is Austin Hifi doing in L.A.?</p><p>Well, as you may or may not recall, Austin Hifi now as a Los Angeles outpost! And we've come bearing <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com">Crimson Amps, Preamps and Audio Cables!</a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f20ChUVOw4wTjjat6CI56VGSOxHe3qwY487YHFbX4uKCICQXFjW3EtA9y32Yak5e-p4iSykgvJZAs_-fAvoXwFI-4VW6aEN1VCHScv66KzQiybIvc9SM8G_zyi0ANchXkDp1vEckHh4g/s1600/crimsonblogsetca_blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f20ChUVOw4wTjjat6CI56VGSOxHe3qwY487YHFbX4uKCICQXFjW3EtA9y32Yak5e-p4iSykgvJZAs_-fAvoXwFI-4VW6aEN1VCHScv66KzQiybIvc9SM8G_zyi0ANchXkDp1vEckHh4g/s400/crimsonblogsetca_blog2.jpg" /><i>The Crimson CS710 Preamplifier with a pair of Crimson CS640E-III Power Amplifiers. (click to enlarge!)</i></a><p>And we'd like for you to listen to them, either in our system or yours! Drop us an <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">email</a> or call us at (512) 236-9100 and we'll do the rest!</p><p>And don't forget that if you're not in L.A., you can audition all the Crimson gear (including setting up an in-home demo) by contacting the following Crimson dealers:
<ul><li>Access to Music<br />Petaluma, California<br />(415) 453-3936<br />web: <a href="http://www.access-music.com">access-music.com</a><br />email: <a href="mailto:rsheldon@access-music.com">rsheldon@access-music.com</a></li>
<li>Amherst Audio<br />Amherst, Massachusetts<br />(413) 549-6171<br />web: <a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com/">amherstaudio.com</a><br />email: <a href="mailto:amherstaudio@comcast.net">amherstaudio@comcast.net</a></li>
<li>Austin Hifi<br />Austin, Texas <i>and</i><br />Los Angeles, California<br />(512) 236-9100<br />web: <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com">austinhifi.com</a><br />email: <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">info@austinhifi.com</a></li>
<li>Renaissance Sounds<br />Stowe, Vermont<br />(802) 399-2917<br />email: <a href="mailto:audio101@stoweaccess.com">audio101@stoweaccess.com</a></li>
<li>Ron Patrick, Audio Consultant<br />Woodbridge, Connecticut<br />(512) 236-9100<br />email: <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">info@austinhifi.com</a></li>
<li>Wellington Audio<br />West Palm Beach, Florida<br />(561) 798-1059<br />cell: (561) 389-3455<br/>web: <a href="http://www.wellingtonaudio.com">wellingtonaudio.com</a><br />email: <a href="mailto:wellingtonaudio@mac.com">wellingtonaudio@mac.com</a><br /></li>
</ul>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-85578656983350904322013-09-03T16:56:00.000-07:002013-09-03T16:58:27.794-07:00It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS7WzxTs8KmfNInU3PbdyfcJPR1VGswe891LUZp-tBdij9UVMEavTiq6vkvAz2whSUzAXmEWAPfH0cnriDHd_gN53MUcDP6D2Z1l93CaUFZM1QmOyagQ3j7_73mvX8ueldaFLJ2VjRA0U/s1600/crimsonlinnpryorIMG_1287.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS7WzxTs8KmfNInU3PbdyfcJPR1VGswe891LUZp-tBdij9UVMEavTiq6vkvAz2whSUzAXmEWAPfH0cnriDHd_gN53MUcDP6D2Z1l93CaUFZM1QmOyagQ3j7_73mvX8ueldaFLJ2VjRA0U/s400/crimsonlinnpryorIMG_1287.jpg" width="400" /><i>From left to right: two Crimson 640E-III amplifiers, a Crimson 710 preamplifier and a LINN LP-12 turntable. (Click image to enlarge!)</i></a>
<p>We don't generally make a big deal about the size of Crimson Electronics Amps and Preamps. We'd be importing them whether they were the size of a matchbox or an icebox because they deliver music better than any other high-end electronics, size notwithstanding.</p><p>But I think this picture really illustrates how the Crimsons can be unobtrusively tucked into a room while still delivering ultra-clean high-end remote-controllable sound at 175 watts per channel. The footprint of the Crimson Amps and Preamps together is less than that of the LINN LP-12.</p><p>If you'd like to hear Crimson Electronics Amps and Preamps in your home, email us at: <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">info@austinhifi.com</a> or call (512) 236-9100.</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-26968786839956876292013-07-31T14:00:00.000-07:002013-07-31T14:00:42.431-07:00Bob Neill, Amherst Audio and Tocaro Loudspeakers in Massachusetts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFZhwVFoqgRdOirLHz3hxZ6n19gcI20JVoqtD-HfpMf5vrsHDRkh3RUBpn_VHxbL5R0s1z1In0D4lOCvodZoNnEHs1ykSZewmJfgSjgm506JGBAYCqrU3qdNvDiFX3cIjJt-wdRXrtIkM/s1600/bob+neill+RT1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFZhwVFoqgRdOirLHz3hxZ6n19gcI20JVoqtD-HfpMf5vrsHDRkh3RUBpn_VHxbL5R0s1z1In0D4lOCvodZoNnEHs1ykSZewmJfgSjgm506JGBAYCqrU3qdNvDiFX3cIjJt-wdRXrtIkM/s640/bob+neill+RT1.jpg" width="400" /><i>Bob Neill of Amherst Audio.</i></a>
<p></p><p></p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L1DS9T0gFfkbdaObuRELJ7M9JUu-Yl97qdtrrHE_PhIkPvd_ZiUdVWzz3kky_Cr4KGQ-keJSJpt4S9Oc_VCi92bPlUkCC1RabgrFX-lYyMHbtESUMvfTzqGXIqdPMFdoYazuhVFrRyru/s1600/tocaro_42D_400578.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L1DS9T0gFfkbdaObuRELJ7M9JUu-Yl97qdtrrHE_PhIkPvd_ZiUdVWzz3kky_Cr4KGQ-keJSJpt4S9Oc_VCi92bPlUkCC1RabgrFX-lYyMHbtESUMvfTzqGXIqdPMFdoYazuhVFrRyru/s640/tocaro_42D_400578.jpg" width="400" /><i>The fantastic Tocaro 42 Loudspeakers in natural finish: $14,000, stands included. Now playing at Amherst Audio!</i></a>
<p>Bob Neill is many things to the audio world. He's the proprietor of <a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com">Amherst Audio</a> in Amherst, Mass., where he stocks Audio Note, Blue Circle, Resolution Audio, J.M. Reynaud (of which Bob is also the North American importer!) and, of course, Crimson Electronics Amps, Preamps and Audio Cables as well as Tocaro Loudspeakers.</p>
<p>Bob also writes about audio. He's a <a href="http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/search.mpl?author=Bob%20Neill&user_id=871&forum=ALL&sortRank=None&sort=date&sortOrder=DESC">frequent poster at Audio Asylum (with over 2000 posts!)</a> and has written <a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com/#Reviews">scores of reviews (of both gear and of recordings) for both Positive-Feedback and Enjoy the Music</a>.
</p>
<p>It's probably not a coincidence that Bob Neill discovered Tocaro and Crimson. And it's actually more likely that Tocaro and Crimson found Bob Neill (hey, that's what happened to us at Austin Hifi, too!)</p>
<p>Bob is one of those people who, long ago, embarked on what we like to call a Quest for Truth in Audio. For him, the quest, which parallels his more open-minded approach as a dealer, is not the pursuit of a personal sound characterized by qualities that particularly please us (tube warmth, PRaT, sound staging/imaging, etc.). "Rather," he says," it is an escape from the self in order to find something that treats us the way real live music does: surprises us, shocks us, excites us, pleases us, charms us, pisses us off, etc. The experience of listening to a ‘true’ system should be like meeting a stranger: as impersonal and unsolicitous as a string quartet that makes us go to it rather than having it come to us, changing itself to please us.” <p>
</p>This is not the usual way to evaluate an audio system, he concedes. “So a 'truthful' system usually starts out by putting us off because we are used to having things our way, especially when we pay decent money for it. We want everything to be familiar. But once you find a system that gives you the impersonal truth, one that cares more about getting the sound of instruments and voices right than about pleasing you, you will likely become as addicted to it as you are to live music itself; and become more sensitive to and intolerant of colorations and pleasing distortions in systems that go the other way. And eventually, it will become entirely natural. It will have weaned you from the confines of yourself!"</p>
<p>If you'd like to read more of Bob's writing about audio, or would like to know more about Amherst Audio, look him up on the web:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com/">Amherst Audio Website</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com/#Reviews">Bob's Reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/search.mpl?author=Bob%20Neill&user_id=871&forum=ALL&sortRank=None&sort=date&sortOrder=DESC">Bob's Postings at Audio Asylum</a></li>
</ul>
...or pay him a visit in Amherst Mass!</p>
<p>Now you can hear Tocaro Loudspeakers <i>(with Crimson amps, preamps and cables!)</i> at the following U.S. dealers:
<ul><li><a href="http://www.austinhifi.com">Austin Hifi</a>, Austin Texas (Tocaro 45 and Tocaro 40 models)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com">Amherst Audio</a>, Amherst Massachusetts (Tocaro 42)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.austinhifi.com">Austin Hifi</a>, Los Angeles (Tocaro 40)</li></ul></p>
Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-48891787394281373202013-07-24T16:04:00.000-07:002013-11-13T15:54:18.692-08:00Crimson Electronics and Tocaro Loudspeakers in Los Angeles!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2KLyWUppSPo2ee1OOYZt1VPQFvjY0OXG5Vum0CBmTL5xZTqowz9zl-cQg_lTz0yOhP6qJb340Y-t4y143FhNWQBXvCRBsspikaRudiMxHCNFj-n_yqxgZcju8nGadU5YsbWRDrotvxHe/s1600/living+room+4+rt2+LTR.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2KLyWUppSPo2ee1OOYZt1VPQFvjY0OXG5Vum0CBmTL5xZTqowz9zl-cQg_lTz0yOhP6qJb340Y-t4y143FhNWQBXvCRBsspikaRudiMxHCNFj-n_yqxgZcju8nGadU5YsbWRDrotvxHe/s400/living+room+4+rt2+LTR.jpg" /><i>Tocaro 40 Loudspeakers with Crimson 710 Preamp and 640E-III Amplifiers plus a Linn LP-12! <i>(Click the picture to see it larger!)</i></i></a>
<p class="blocktext">Until now, if you wanted to hear a pair of <a href="www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html">Tocaro Loudspeakers</a>, you had to go to the Austin Hifi Headquarters in Austin, Texas. So we're pleased to announce that you can now hear the whole Tocaro Loudspeaker/Crimson Electronics shebang in Los Angeles, California.</p><p class="blocktext">So c'mon over and have a listen! Just call us at (512) 236-9100 or email: <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">info@austinhifi.com</a> and let us know you'd like to come by.</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-85214076235378467302013-06-03T13:28:00.000-07:002013-07-23T15:55:52.792-07:00Crimson Loudspeaker Cable Tops Ten-Brand Cable Shootout!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXf3es_aBcFSCGxCbHuBFcNFeoHGh-0xigyV0Vxoe-6vNI44Ms3HJ0c2YATYmgfNG5aA-CullxC5U15VmEDYWof0goTNR3fE7KcjHhQn4Me5AWo5vG1X01m2WOJSXGnm5L5nAVhJ1AnvA/s1600/RMMLspk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXf3es_aBcFSCGxCbHuBFcNFeoHGh-0xigyV0Vxoe-6vNI44Ms3HJ0c2YATYmgfNG5aA-CullxC5U15VmEDYWof0goTNR3fE7KcjHhQn4Me5AWo5vG1X01m2WOJSXGnm5L5nAVhJ1AnvA/s400/RMMLspk2.jpg" /></a><p>"...when we did the evaluation a second time, the results were identical!"</p></b></i>
<i><p>On Saturday, March 17, 2012, the San Antonio, Texas-based River City Audio Society embarked on the arduous task of a ten-brand loudspeaker cable shootout. Here's the post from RCAS' John Shurman about the shootout:</p></i>
<p>Hello RCAS!
The meeting this past Saturday was one of the best. Superb. When I first discussed this concept with Bob, I expressed my concern that this wild idea could end up being a giant logistical, tabulation and formatting nightmare. As I needed someone to format and make the actual forms, I finally figured out what grand-kiddos are good for; I pulled them away from my refrigerator and big-screen TV and put them to work hand-making the tabulation forms, cutting the chipboard to use as clipboards and asked them to round up the zillion pens we would need. After they ran screaming from the house, I realized that I still needed to work out how to get all of the results together and display them on the wall for all to see. Because I have honorary stock in the Post-It company, they provided the giant Post-It which I stuck to the wall. As you can see from one of the posted pics, I was having a heck of a time reading the numbers on the forms. Between my bad eyes and all the RCAS members who must be doctors (judging by their handwriting) I was struggling.</p>
<p>Jesting aside, here is the list of hardware used and the results which we came up with. Definitely open to interpretations and opinions from all, but in whole, it was truly enjoyable and produced some intriguing results which should produce further discussions.</p>
<b><p>Hardware:</p></b>
<ol><li>Speakers: <b>Mark and Daniel Maximus Mini Monitors</b> (provided by Luther).</li>
<li>Amplifier: <b>Final Labs Music 3</b>, a 35 wpc tube amp with EL-34 tubes (provided by Luther).</li>
<li>Front End: <b>Oppo BDP-93</b> in conjunction with an external HDD with data in FLAC format transmitting via USB (provided by Don).</li>
<li>Magnificent custom blind test cover (provided by Luther).</li></ol>
<b><p>Speaker Cable Test Results (MSRP figures are with terminations and estimated labor for the DIYs):</p></b>
<ol list-style="margin-bottom:1em;"><li><b>Crimson Loudspeaker Cable</b>: $600 (United Kingdom) provided by Austin Hifi, Austin, Texas (Creston Funk & Mark Heaston)</li>
<li><b>Analysis Plus Oval 12</b>: $230 (United States) from Audio Systems, Austin, Texas (Mark Lyon)</li>
<li><i><b>(tie)</b></i> <b>Nordost Red Dawn</b>: $1000 (United States) (this version is now discontinued) -AND- <b>Monster Cable 13 AWG</b> (United States)</li>
<li> <i><b>(tie)</b></i> <b>Naim NACA4</b>: $350 (United Kingdom) -AND- <b>20 AWG DIY by Joe</b>: $200 (cable stock from clairvoyantcables.com)</li>
<li><b>Cardas Golden</b>: $2200 (United States) provided by Galen Carol, San Antonio, Texas</li>
<li><b>Goertz Silver Alpha</b>: $1000 (United States)</li>
<li><b>IXOS 806 11 AWG</b>: $100 (United Kingdom)</li><li><b>Belden 10 AWG DIY</b>: $75 (United States)</li></ol>
<i><b><p>(Note that there are only eight places because third and fourth place were ties!)</p></b></i>
<p>The aspect which some members have already touched upon in previous messages that surprised me the most is that <i><b>when we did the evaluation a second time, the results were identical.</i></b> Unscientific, but yet maybe something was going on?</p>
<p>I can't wait to dig into this even further within the mini-meets!</p>
<p>Happy Listening,
John Schurman, River City Audio Society</p>
<p>Thanks to John and everyone at River City Audio Society for allowing us to publish this!</p>
<i><p>We encourage you to have a cable shootout of your own: You can request a demo from any of our fantastic <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimsoncables.html#dealers">Crimson Audio Cable Dealers</a> or email us at <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">info@austinhifi.com</a>. For prices and a dealer list see our <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimsoncables.html">Crimson Audio Cables webpage.</p></i>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-42589861372643719622013-03-27T21:09:00.000-07:002013-03-27T21:09:39.212-07:00Gustav Mahler's Tiny Composing Huts <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ajm0Kqjf84NdufgnSOnU-tmOeXLe7Ha_HNu9twwID2fZcceFbK6wQJuoA6B1tXMoz9rWGrv_dgkEs405EOn3fF00PtL0NiFA62lvEVyifqAKOqyhDetUyZ5Sl1RhcnhyulwXP2xTfkaO/s1600/mahler-maiernigg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ajm0Kqjf84NdufgnSOnU-tmOeXLe7Ha_HNu9twwID2fZcceFbK6wQJuoA6B1tXMoz9rWGrv_dgkEs405EOn3fF00PtL0NiFA62lvEVyifqAKOqyhDetUyZ5Sl1RhcnhyulwXP2xTfkaO/s400/mahler-maiernigg.jpg" /><i>Mahler
's composing hut in Maiernigg, in the Austrian state of Carinthia.</i></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXdYKsradBKsxNlxWROw62HjfY2cmC5e3uEMpB9g23Jm-bMIjck6XrEovOvD0oVk7yT1s5Iu1uNbuTsYozimXkQdfUNnsA2riFUnN2gcTn8lMkw1yBEzWhqImBdxdhdiEseqvVyCInu3J/s1600/mahler-steinbach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="331" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXdYKsradBKsxNlxWROw62HjfY2cmC5e3uEMpB9g23Jm-bMIjck6XrEovOvD0oVk7yT1s5Iu1uNbuTsYozimXkQdfUNnsA2riFUnN2gcTn8lMkw1yBEzWhqImBdxdhdiEseqvVyCInu3J/s400/mahler-steinbach.jpg" /><i>Mahler's cabin near Steinbach am Attersee in Upper Austria. Mahler's 2nd and 3rd symphonies were composed here.</i></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb45gBZ6YfAoXUzrmfEA4pUMc5BFL5ymMKKYCgU462-vMC5lsRiVoqQ9008myhOAD1sGHO_uCgB7t6KJtkNWAGCX9X0O_zFkEuPw2rUF0eaivJAWFMpLPjMQmXW5AEyMBoxeRBNPscirXh/s1600/mahler-toblach-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="271" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb45gBZ6YfAoXUzrmfEA4pUMc5BFL5ymMKKYCgU462-vMC5lsRiVoqQ9008myhOAD1sGHO_uCgB7t6KJtkNWAGCX9X0O_zFkEuPw2rUF0eaivJAWFMpLPjMQmXW5AEyMBoxeRBNPscirXh/s400/mahler-toblach-2.jpg" /><i>Mahler's "Komponierhäuschen" in Toblach, Italy. This is where Mahler's 9th and 10th Symphonies were composed. As far as I can tell, Toblach used to be in Austria. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.</i></a> </div><p></p>
<p>There's a nice bit at <a href="http://tinyhouseblog.com/tag/gustav-mahler/">The Tiny House Blog</a> about three small outbuildings that Gustav Mahler used for writing music.</p><p>There's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar-KkCKuy4w">YouTube video about the "Komponierhäuschen" in Toblach</a> that shows how the building has, sadly, fallen into disrepair.</p><p>I think it's interesting that they're all essentially the same house.</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-15383487183955656792013-03-18T22:08:00.000-07:002013-03-24T20:59:00.405-07:00SXSW 2013<p>SXSW 2013 has come and gone here in Austintown. So many bands come to Austin for SXSW that it's a little hard to comprehend. It's like Woodstock, except this time, everyone's <i>IN</i> a band. So I do the sensible thing: I ditch work to go see bands and take photos!</p><p>
A lot of big-name bands play SXSW, but I really enjoy seeing new talent on the way up, so my club circuit is usually: Mohawk, Club de Ville, Red 7, Beerland, The Main and The Jr. (both hosting the <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/">Brooklyn Vegan</a> showcase this year!)</p><p>
Here are some of my photos from SXSW 2013. You can see bigger versions if you click or hover or something:</p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpRThFlw6PDz9e98nEzfcLku9_5S4rAqiTZqu4djg6at5zD6WB8JNrr2tnNLxK6kmSzY-C3HPUxs9Au-HSShhsifSzNj5K3f-f8GnbFQ9hA6CjgZWN4aYdrIctFUr1J2a6cpDhOPE6UlN/s1600/tv_ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpRThFlw6PDz9e98nEzfcLku9_5S4rAqiTZqu4djg6at5zD6WB8JNrr2tnNLxK6kmSzY-C3HPUxs9Au-HSShhsifSzNj5K3f-f8GnbFQ9hA6CjgZWN4aYdrIctFUr1J2a6cpDhOPE6UlN/s640/tv_ghost.jpg" width="400" />Tim Gick of TV Ghost, a goth-y band from Lafayette, Indiana. Definitely the best band I saw this year.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVYGZSeqmSTsQQGvJd6uAKoeLan-YY7DyO1YxzykzCTgxO8UELeGzosSOul6B0RdlK9a_NHqjQ0y1fLl_gS9zkoQTwJ-vxAxeYpftQ9eAJo9dkvvAZQhM1hOwnY0qZnPgXB5WGWUKr3Nc/s1600/toy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVYGZSeqmSTsQQGvJd6uAKoeLan-YY7DyO1YxzykzCTgxO8UELeGzosSOul6B0RdlK9a_NHqjQ0y1fLl_gS9zkoQTwJ-vxAxeYpftQ9eAJo9dkvvAZQhM1hOwnY0qZnPgXB5WGWUKr3Nc/s400/toy.jpg" width="400" />Dominic O'Dair of London-based psychedelic band Toy who delivered a great show at the Brooklyn Vegan showcase at The Main. They missed some New York shows because of visa problems, but fortunately, they made it to SXSW.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fpF2zJIRNjaDWF0DdWf1e6xZm-rvTmTOCyLoigr_OHleW24QqVDoScJZpZ0BV7LVxpiWUtcvOm1VvmF1mY4VUVvJceXIDKyElUWdx58ldjBBvqKlrLBRgW-4EgCz6gguTZPnYo4UbbHn/s1600/mutrites.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fpF2zJIRNjaDWF0DdWf1e6xZm-rvTmTOCyLoigr_OHleW24QqVDoScJZpZ0BV7LVxpiWUtcvOm1VvmF1mY4VUVvJceXIDKyElUWdx58ldjBBvqKlrLBRgW-4EgCz6gguTZPnYo4UbbHn/s400/mutrites.jpg" width="400" />SXSW wouldn't feel complete without some good, loud heavy metal bands. Here's Michael Dimmit of Brooklyn, New York-based Mutilation Rites at the Vans/Pitchfork showcase at Mohawk.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSaJnHd_5h08QyaTf17Nru-xBqzEvjXNwVaW2pEwnL7_RSV9ED0Dz_Sq4BCSDE5Q3B3y31d1ZovN3SrjEjxzmtOGh4UP6PdQQ2_zRwMwZDc58_oT_92fl4RcI7IBAseIzINZNJvoTxQ7N/s1600/pgirls2smallL.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSaJnHd_5h08QyaTf17Nru-xBqzEvjXNwVaW2pEwnL7_RSV9ED0Dz_Sq4BCSDE5Q3B3y31d1ZovN3SrjEjxzmtOGh4UP6PdQQ2_zRwMwZDc58_oT_92fl4RcI7IBAseIzINZNJvoTxQ7N/s640/pgirls2smallL.jpg" width="400" />Zac Pennington of Parenthetical Girls, a great modern romantic pop band from Portland, Oregon. This show was at Red 7.</a>
</p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_CbZ9B1M9cf4zZDhEykgjx2HG-y813phNsLaNV_-u7ulWnmo8WA8AzE14keEjcGytSuP4ru2KqbpEPU9PbKqWFUP2LzKb9WUDXI1MGeSJ8jZATmattc1pN_1Wt3TLhuzE3I7J4mcaKGQ/s1600/hunters_05L.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_CbZ9B1M9cf4zZDhEykgjx2HG-y813phNsLaNV_-u7ulWnmo8WA8AzE14keEjcGytSuP4ru2KqbpEPU9PbKqWFUP2LzKb9WUDXI1MGeSJ8jZATmattc1pN_1Wt3TLhuzE3I7J4mcaKGQ/s640/hunters_05L.jpg" width="400" />Isabel Almeida of the Brooklyn, New York-based band Hunters. They played a fast and furious set at the House of Vans showcase at Mohawk.</a></p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSK9P7Io5NTQSTYh5_ra0y79ThaI4Ds-U0ZH7VoRT6MATPfqTvUQBcnjOYR0cuc43wBw6IIcVXpsoLqJb4IjVgxlXfooRXQQBELGBa7Ak4l4W8xKXZKK_VenkqvrRcDriQ1m41jb9Mz-pi/s1600/metz.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSK9P7Io5NTQSTYh5_ra0y79ThaI4Ds-U0ZH7VoRT6MATPfqTvUQBcnjOYR0cuc43wBw6IIcVXpsoLqJb4IjVgxlXfooRXQQBELGBa7Ak4l4W8xKXZKK_VenkqvrRcDriQ1m41jb9Mz-pi/s640/metz.jpg" width="400" />Alex Edkins of Toronto's METZ at the Brooklyn Vegan showcase at The Main. I lost my glasses during their set when a human being flew off the stage and bounced across my head. That's entertainment!</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4HyPNS2k7w2tTWZFZVA8tqE6hEMISBuAqMSi1TZ_JZ5SeNkguUtNs061_Wimey0VrALdvZetAgkbzZOMbIwIwH0PozmlzzkWP_jrGWW18mu941o2TbTurzz-Q8KjRA7WDHT5qCgZF8Ec/s1600/theblindshake.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4HyPNS2k7w2tTWZFZVA8tqE6hEMISBuAqMSi1TZ_JZ5SeNkguUtNs061_Wimey0VrALdvZetAgkbzZOMbIwIwH0PozmlzzkWP_jrGWW18mu941o2TbTurzz-Q8KjRA7WDHT5qCgZF8Ec/s640/theblindshake.jpg" width="400" />Jim Blaha of The Blind Shake from Minneapolis, Minnesota at Beerland. Sometimes they reminded me of Devo, and sometimes they reminded me of Link Wray, but always with a generous helping of 1980's punk.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gfrl2B636LT364BbMM2nr6H0NWloAdjnZkDxIncan6d47dZzIC6HpLzV9isZxA29lHiPwtwy7XmuaEUY0-a-EO1cQRt_pWtS3JAmc_H0vhKOAIC2utrwoMSNdkSYihQf2_WX94NBS8X_/s1600/maserati.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gfrl2B636LT364BbMM2nr6H0NWloAdjnZkDxIncan6d47dZzIC6HpLzV9isZxA29lHiPwtwy7XmuaEUY0-a-EO1cQRt_pWtS3JAmc_H0vhKOAIC2utrwoMSNdkSYihQf2_WX94NBS8X_/s640/maserati.jpg" width="400" />Matt Cherry of Maserati from Athens, Georgia at the Brooklyn Vegan showcase at The Main. Not exactly shoegazers, not exactly psychedelic, but definitely elements of both.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhjDXMTS6AGEOtQBi9df1TbIYTDsq_1iqA66p3naelmL3IUs7C-l87q3lLfMIlFfyCVrfscfOxNY4syZiN8iG_C0BLieSI4HV1vxSYgnMTsrfF_0z2Nk79niPUJLfGADHgRSiJJhoH2tY/s1600/bigdamnband.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhjDXMTS6AGEOtQBi9df1TbIYTDsq_1iqA66p3naelmL3IUs7C-l87q3lLfMIlFfyCVrfscfOxNY4syZiN8iG_C0BLieSI4HV1vxSYgnMTsrfF_0z2Nk79niPUJLfGADHgRSiJJhoH2tY/s640/bigdamnband.jpg" width="400" />The Reverend J. Peyton of Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, from Brown County, Indiana at Club de Ville. The knobs on the Reverend's guitar are made from shotgun shells and the tattoo on his arm says "Corn Fed".</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZxt1awm7ih6vXCoZvhfMzLALsiZZdiXcQrSV4-M_WT7V3b0sMzLtwZO7TJSGhaU7TM9-DOQoNBG-O-vlZdlx61esit84f2ojCLM3nwJwx_13SkUJ2dJdjUk2-2-c1YRhy68ZbZL0Csx2/s1600/royalthunder.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZxt1awm7ih6vXCoZvhfMzLALsiZZdiXcQrSV4-M_WT7V3b0sMzLtwZO7TJSGhaU7TM9-DOQoNBG-O-vlZdlx61esit84f2ojCLM3nwJwx_13SkUJ2dJdjUk2-2-c1YRhy68ZbZL0Csx2/s640/royalthunder.jpg" width="400" />Josh Weaver of Atlanta, Georgia-based Royal Thunder at the House of Vans showcase at Mohawk. This band was all over the map, influence-wise, so I won't pigeonhole them, but they were heavy and slow and very, very good.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbprHqTjWEMwQkXnYo6T5gKYl_yf3fHohLorLE81KVt6y2n6YDdeYOQmuAv5VQKqJk3tsY-6ZI4xwC8Q-y8G4C4PamsXAxSDCoykDGhtSZJWYknnOjwS5bqQZTYmGbXGMmT6W_mEogiwu/s1600/waxidols.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbprHqTjWEMwQkXnYo6T5gKYl_yf3fHohLorLE81KVt6y2n6YDdeYOQmuAv5VQKqJk3tsY-6ZI4xwC8Q-y8G4C4PamsXAxSDCoykDGhtSZJWYknnOjwS5bqQZTYmGbXGMmT6W_mEogiwu/s640/waxidols.jpg" width="400" />Hether Fortune of the Wax Idols from Oakland, California at Red 7. A cool, old-school New York-style punk/new wave band.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_A_bhc0HbnViDsMbd3Ldxk9V1relGNaMLySGdXFtde3kL-qMxIdo_EHC2bTia1UyUc6hqZavbT6gqHM1PyIrapWkWohXUk0qL96SEFS8Oxbz2s5iX2cwNb9ZTYWwTp7vn2F1R-IrxHHx/s1600/vattnet.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_A_bhc0HbnViDsMbd3Ldxk9V1relGNaMLySGdXFtde3kL-qMxIdo_EHC2bTia1UyUc6hqZavbT6gqHM1PyIrapWkWohXUk0qL96SEFS8Oxbz2s5iX2cwNb9ZTYWwTp7vn2F1R-IrxHHx/s640/vattnet.jpg" width="400" />Nick Thornbur of Vattnet Viskar (Swedish for The Water Whispers), a black metal band from Plaistow, New Hampshire. They played at the House of Vans/Pitchfork showcase at Mohawk.</a></p>
<p>I can't wait for SXSW 2014!</p>
Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-50212580408960514002013-03-05T20:17:00.000-08:002013-03-06T11:18:54.838-08:00Hot off the presses! Crimson T-shirts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJy-kgKto1anTSXNRYSpiRJnuwxOAhQ20cfcmxB-EzGMixP00IndO3eJY2HrDEbt_S4_QsTYqi_K_fP-qWQYtb4pjpHwaHfnz7sSX3XqABa_4lwAToGto04w3w_8dJMUh5dc75jstVIHuR/s1600/Crimson+T-shirt+1c.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJy-kgKto1anTSXNRYSpiRJnuwxOAhQ20cfcmxB-EzGMixP00IndO3eJY2HrDEbt_S4_QsTYqi_K_fP-qWQYtb4pjpHwaHfnz7sSX3XqABa_4lwAToGto04w3w_8dJMUh5dc75jstVIHuR/s640/Crimson+T-shirt+1c.jpg" width="427" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvP15ZH2RROlBFXsFiSqcx_jpzUxmMDh57cymgve6iy3u_itAOf7kTNrkSlri5h3QBpsOCgOIT7szSSIpyjy5Dn5qmSrPyDEGjQQGUVJBZryPiRUtsE2r2B2V0Q0d3PaEkRwxEoq_1k5b/s1600/Crimson+T-shirt+back+1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvP15ZH2RROlBFXsFiSqcx_jpzUxmMDh57cymgve6iy3u_itAOf7kTNrkSlri5h3QBpsOCgOIT7szSSIpyjy5Dn5qmSrPyDEGjQQGUVJBZryPiRUtsE2r2B2V0Q0d3PaEkRwxEoq_1k5b/s640/Crimson+T-shirt+back+1.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
<p>Naturally, this is the perfect T-shirt to wear when you're at home listening to your <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimson.html">Crimson Electronics</a> and <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimsoncables.html">Crimson Audio Cables</a>-equipped hifi system, but did you know that it's also the perfect T-shirt for just about any occasion where you want to be a fashion maverick?</p>
<p>Crimson T-shirts are available in S, M, L, XL, XXL and Ladies' Medium. They're $20.00, including postage to the lower 48 United States. Postage will be higher elsewhere. Just drop us a line at <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">info@austinhifi.com</a> or call (512) 236-9100 if you'd like one.</p>
<p>What's that? Who's the debonair chap modeling the Crimson T-shirt? Why, that's none other than the totally urbane James Roadman, drummer extraordinaire, <a href="http://www.jroadman.com/instruments/">world-class guitar builder/technician</a> and (shhh!) secret agent.</p>
Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-17601581930640979762013-01-06T19:03:00.000-08:002013-01-07T10:18:17.316-08:00Found on Ebay: Meccano Sheba and Meccano Magician
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fNBQixf_xdPDOh5nkYBx3U2kfbUjZwJqxUdgSIK06kwQiERXiF0nB2H9LB7h4iPQWUxhQBr4RJWodpGXMx1LdSi3TQsTjjdMhtviYW7LiIhPcLnTYligJcKy0iIYxszvtbdoyMIVPdaK/s1600/meccanosheba1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fNBQixf_xdPDOh5nkYBx3U2kfbUjZwJqxUdgSIK06kwQiERXiF0nB2H9LB7h4iPQWUxhQBr4RJWodpGXMx1LdSi3TQsTjjdMhtviYW7LiIhPcLnTYligJcKy0iIYxszvtbdoyMIVPdaK/s400/meccanosheba1b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p>I'm always cruising Ebay for interesting stuff, and I when I find something really good, I like to let you know about it.</p>
<p>Amsterdam-based Ebay seller voossie03 offers this fantastic <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-YELLOW-BLUE-MECCANO-MODEL-SHIBA-WORKING-MODEL-ORIGINAL-50s/121047026373?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=002&category=724&cmd=ViewItem">Meccano Sheba</a> and <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-RED-GREEN-MECCANO-MODEL-MAGICIAN-WORKING-MODEL-ORIGINAL-50s/121047019348?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=002&category=724&cmd=ViewItem">Meccano Magician</a>.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meccano">Meccano Wikipedia page</a>, Meccano was founded in England in 1901 by Frank Hornby (who also founded <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinky_Toys">Dinky Toys</a>).</p>
<p>The Ebay listing says that the Sheba model was built as a display to introduce the yellow/blue edition of Meccano and that the Magician model was built as a display for Dinky Toys; ("When the arm with cover is lifted an antique Dinky Toy car is displayed, four different car models possible.")
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<p>The current Ebay "Buy it Now" price for the Sheba is $1200 US and the Magician is $ 1300 US. Here are more pictures:</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDPKXIRA5LNjwp8uutoHuksq7z-b1jdtRLy-fYPiKCBTJOV9foz2dYVaAzg1SAXlgadwrqDnBrweDuCn3gCSlOCKgZFqcBzafSeMSRdaWo3Cw0biUU84diQS5wlqgneKtDWJ51XC5CJcz/s1600/meccanosheba2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDPKXIRA5LNjwp8uutoHuksq7z-b1jdtRLy-fYPiKCBTJOV9foz2dYVaAzg1SAXlgadwrqDnBrweDuCn3gCSlOCKgZFqcBzafSeMSRdaWo3Cw0biUU84diQS5wlqgneKtDWJ51XC5CJcz/s400/meccanosheba2b.jpg" width="365" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pdJ5OT4jzRYOz2a6DQJ3PIbyI-eP30c7JsoZTXBnI5e053SQA47xIq4UCBBisX0C2OZIECMd319lFkf8ehWYuqwbTxurbldwFEf_iHek7tUPfBuuS5zuK7NInItML4GvjgryZx3LLx2R/s1600/meccanosheba3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pdJ5OT4jzRYOz2a6DQJ3PIbyI-eP30c7JsoZTXBnI5e053SQA47xIq4UCBBisX0C2OZIECMd319lFkf8ehWYuqwbTxurbldwFEf_iHek7tUPfBuuS5zuK7NInItML4GvjgryZx3LLx2R/s400/meccanosheba3.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XJZStKPc2fcEFjC10FNbVuf35y7EPnY4J3shvJZ8xfthLARcXyBCZXwqTc4AsLsXi_7d2iZeuDjjSeVEaNWKVnj9IwJHSvnc90Tivr4mHB-6rZXv5zxGmm0fRc669W65ck0n8DWlZS5r/s1600/meccanomagician1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XJZStKPc2fcEFjC10FNbVuf35y7EPnY4J3shvJZ8xfthLARcXyBCZXwqTc4AsLsXi_7d2iZeuDjjSeVEaNWKVnj9IwJHSvnc90Tivr4mHB-6rZXv5zxGmm0fRc669W65ck0n8DWlZS5r/s400/meccanomagician1.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDds0GrRO4maI_hTEYFQuw2Vv1w7KkXTComyO1CgxSBWB8eU-_zRdx15eU_1mtXMyn49s427CmRreEHuFc01p1gMP0PPVF52-mFp9Emk996LiizL_xFMP7rJqp0jcIpWRYJ0MSMUTiyXK/s1600/meccanomagician2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDds0GrRO4maI_hTEYFQuw2Vv1w7KkXTComyO1CgxSBWB8eU-_zRdx15eU_1mtXMyn49s427CmRreEHuFc01p1gMP0PPVF52-mFp9Emk996LiizL_xFMP7rJqp0jcIpWRYJ0MSMUTiyXK/s400/meccanomagician2.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9h2gLTpwvRt1p4hLw_nYP9r_fvkeKkY0LxaxhVuvVevnvxMkYWWrdlFLVOdGWtu-RdZc6_CakoxD0piZen0U3zB35PQuw5nt65yiEuSU0w0H2JPoQSIc7PgbDKy6M-YZwnUAM0etPmEr/s1600/meccanoshebaauction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9h2gLTpwvRt1p4hLw_nYP9r_fvkeKkY0LxaxhVuvVevnvxMkYWWrdlFLVOdGWtu-RdZc6_CakoxD0piZen0U3zB35PQuw5nt65yiEuSU0w0H2JPoQSIc7PgbDKy6M-YZwnUAM0etPmEr/s400/meccanoshebaauction.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-53190413060019496272013-01-03T08:55:00.003-08:002013-01-03T08:55:50.204-08:00Patti Page - Tennessee Waltz<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Ek3eCbfqp0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
A fond adieu to the incredible Patti Page!
This is an exceptional performance of Tennessee Waltz. Patti is incredible, and the band really knows how to stay out of the way. Bonus points for a terrifically slow tempo.
Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-55624963248749844102012-09-16T21:43:00.000-07:002012-09-16T21:43:40.996-07:00The New Tocaro 45D Loudspeakers!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUd_imz3sB8uH2GSoY8Q1xKyFR2hijc4HuVbLLj-ROy1udcNt04qPDEpv3sXvhiJ8UcxovSIcJT2AkiDlsmNRmSp462oBcCF4FIiL1CuK0957Qoa-7CAodnacgg9h4B3dJnNRfsBOhvR-/s1600/tocaro_45D_blog_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="465" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUd_imz3sB8uH2GSoY8Q1xKyFR2hijc4HuVbLLj-ROy1udcNt04qPDEpv3sXvhiJ8UcxovSIcJT2AkiDlsmNRmSp462oBcCF4FIiL1CuK0957Qoa-7CAodnacgg9h4B3dJnNRfsBOhvR-/s1600/tocaro_45D_blog_large.jpg" /><i>The 45Ds are the flagship of the Tocaro Loudspeaker brand. You can hear them at The Rocky Mountain Audio Festival 2012 in room 542. You can also hear them at our showroom in Austin Texas.</i></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdDLkwDZhrFVVeEiP9GBZ5ZevCFr_-RNRZLMWHyn-2hp253t4hvOZzNhI6Tl5KhqCrkl-15vueHmwx90igjtdaA5QFgkI0FOyM7jAXrMiecKeQjnXntPUXr2PwWSz0s6qv7s9HtRRpSAY/s1600/tocaro_45D_h_driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdDLkwDZhrFVVeEiP9GBZ5ZevCFr_-RNRZLMWHyn-2hp253t4hvOZzNhI6Tl5KhqCrkl-15vueHmwx90igjtdaA5QFgkI0FOyM7jAXrMiecKeQjnXntPUXr2PwWSz0s6qv7s9HtRRpSAY/s400/tocaro_45D_h_driver.jpg" /><i>Here's a close-up view of the 45D's high-frequency driver.</i></a></div>
<p><b>Announcing the arrival of the new Tocaro 45D Loudspeakers from Gütersloh, Germany!</b></p>
<p>We've been offering the <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html">Tocaro 40 Loudspeakers</a> since 2008 (Austin Hifi is the U.S. importer and distributor), so naturally we were very excited to hear the new D-Series drivers (which are now standard-issue in The Tocaro <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html#45D">45D</a>, The <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html#42D">42D</a> and the <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html#40D">40D</a> Loudspeakers. Owners of pre-D-Series Tocaro Loudspeakers can upgrade their speakers to D-Series specs. <a href="mailto:info@austinhifi.com">Contact us</a> for details!)</p>
<p>The verdict? The D-Series Tocaro drivers do just about everything better than their already-impressive C-Series predecessors. More bass. Clearer highs. Better timing. As one listener said: "Damn, it sounds like music in here!"</p>
<p>The Tocaro 45D Loudspeakers each have twin 10-inch drivers with independent chambers (the bottom driver's chamber is ported while the middle driver's chamber is not.) The 45D Loudspeakers also employ the new Tocaro 5-inch high-frequency driver built around a proprietary laminated wood membrane (see picture above!) Overall sensitivity is 103dB/2.83V/m.</p><p> The 45D uses <i>no electrical crossover or filtering</i> and there are three pair of speaker terminals so that the 45Ds may be used with one, two, or three amplifiers. All internal wiring is <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimsoncables.html">Crimson Audio Cable.</a></p>
<p>The overall height of the Tocaro 45D Loudspeakers (with stands, which are included, and are an essential part of the sound of the 45D) is 50 3/4". They're 17 3/4" wide and 13 3/4" deep and are available in a variety of finishes.</p>
<p>Tocaro Loudspeakers are entirely hand-built. The 10-inch driver membranes are made by hand from raw cellulose. The cabinets and stands are made from hand-selected beechwood. There are some terrific photos of the Tocaro Loudspeaker factory in Gütersloh at <a href="http://tocaro.de/en/manufactory.htm">Tocaro's own page on the subject.</a></p>
<p>But, of course, the sound is everything, so let's get to that. First of all, if you've been listening to "conventional" high-end speakers, the 45Ds are going to take a little getting used to. Just remember: they're getting you closer to the sound of real music and further from a polite, reserved simulacrum of same. They've got enormous scale, great pitch-definition, excellent timing and impressive dynamics. And as an added bonus, they'll play loud as heck if you want them to. These are extremely revealing loudspeakers that have an amazing way of "digging deep down into" recordings. </p>
<p>A note about amplifiers: usually when people (especially hifi magazine reviewers!) talk about high-efficiency loudspeakers, they say that you should use a low-powered amplifier. And while you <i>can</i> use a low powered SET amplifier with the Tocaro 45D Loudspeakers (did we mention their 103dB sensitivity rating?), we use and recommend <i>(and import and distribute!)</i> the incredible <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/640.html">175-watt Crimson 640E-III Monoblock amplifiers.</a> which will allow you to experience all the scale and dynamics that the Tocaro 45D Loudspeakers can dish out.</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-68631980126811702502012-09-12T12:14:00.001-07:002012-09-12T12:14:48.824-07:00Beck's Record Club: "New Sensations"<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/10634950" width="399" height="224" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10634950"></a></p>
<p>
Beck has been doing a cool project called <a href="http://www.beck.com/recordclub/">Record Club</a> for a while now. He gets some friends together in the studio and records a classic album, then releases a video of the performance on the internet.
</p>
<p>This time out, Beck has rounded up St. Vincent and The Liars, plus a few extras and recorded the album <a href="http://www.beck.com/recordclub/index.php/category/inxs">"Kick" by INXS</a>.</p>
<p>Other Record Club outings:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.beck.com/recordclub/index.php/category/inxs">The Velvet Underground and Nico</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.beck.com/recordclub/index.php/category/leonard-cohen-songs-of-leonard-cohen">The Songs of Leonard Cohen</a></p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.beck.com/recordclub/index.php/category/leonard-cohen-songs-of-leonard-cohen">Skip Spence - "Oar"</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.beck.com/recordclub/index.php/category/yanni">Yanni - "Live at The Acropolis"</a></p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-34529698737335353362012-09-10T19:21:00.000-07:002012-09-10T19:21:36.622-07:00JM Reynaud with Crimson Amps and Preamps at RMAF 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfVEuXdNNoXbTEaNvMPjTkUp90-Xsw7UTSp4JGOVRkoQTitste5_GrQo5Jksh_N1zcr1q8LeotIyooOgOn8iiO7QE1U-mbvTlGCztk1-kAkKVyVEA_CYc6hc1ks_jbMpKrMvAFkaG8zXo/s1600/abscisse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="288" width="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfVEuXdNNoXbTEaNvMPjTkUp90-Xsw7UTSp4JGOVRkoQTitste5_GrQo5Jksh_N1zcr1q8LeotIyooOgOn8iiO7QE1U-mbvTlGCztk1-kAkKVyVEA_CYc6hc1ks_jbMpKrMvAFkaG8zXo/s400/abscisse.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>The Abscisse, a terrific new loudspeaker by the renowned JM Reynaud is being introduced this year by JM Reynaud importer/distributor Bob Neill's <a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com">Amherst Audio</a>. <p>Bob will also be playing the <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimson.html">Crimson 710/640E-III</a> preamp and amplifier (with <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimsoncables.html">Crimson Audio Cables</a>, of course!) as well as the <a href="http://www.resolutionaudio.com/cantata.html">Cantata Music Center</a> by <a href="http://www.resolutionaudio.com">Resolution Audio</a>.<p>Amherst Audio will be in <a href="http://audiofest.net/2012/exhibitors_profile.php?gbID=548&Sid=7c57ea2610ce8814bec2e8484972749e"
>room 561 at RMAF 2012</a>.<p>You can also visit <a href="http://www.amherstaudio.com">Amherst Audio</a> in Amherst, Massachusetts.</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-35328966546284531032012-05-06T20:53:00.001-07:002012-07-26T13:33:34.073-07:00Around the World with the International Space Station<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32001208?color=80CEFE&autoplay=0" width="399" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>
<p><i><a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap111121.html">Click here to see a large version of this video!</a></i></p>
<p>I have mentioned the <a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/">Astronomy Picture of the Day</a> in a <a href="http://austinhifi.blogspot.com/2007/10/astronomy-picture-of-day.html">previous post.</a></p><p> This time, I wanted to mention an amazing video of the Earth that was shot from the International Space Station.</p><p> I noticed Italy and Sicily, then Egypt with the Nile Delta, plus several Aurora. There's a <a href="http://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=25929">page at Starship Asterisk</a> where members have created a guide to what you can see in the video. I noticed a bright, orange squiggle that Starship Asterisk members identified as the India/Pakistan border. </p><p>Great stuff!</p>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-59648965348946405042012-05-02T13:32:00.000-07:002012-05-02T13:32:06.986-07:00Found on Ebay: 1939 RCA Storytone Electric Piano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpFFzCZf3PKmINJg3gYuAkeNuDhI7g_R84R7F0HurYhmF6qJdMhlKKm8Qb7H9_X1MzZaPO0mdeUlvt1VbwMGu46WU_BCypMo6iFKMNZbu0tqVKL9s7h9PwIoti9nL9pYBs9Htpyqbz2vG/s1600/storytone1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="306" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpFFzCZf3PKmINJg3gYuAkeNuDhI7g_R84R7F0HurYhmF6qJdMhlKKm8Qb7H9_X1MzZaPO0mdeUlvt1VbwMGu46WU_BCypMo6iFKMNZbu0tqVKL9s7h9PwIoti9nL9pYBs9Htpyqbz2vG/s400/storytone1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7JFcSx_8heWngvFT-kjjAoQFhUPO7fT38NRf5CZfeKEazNiA_yrl6pSnk_LFaJVSSpa2yFJwpBlKFPJGxJhajpX0zefXMeoooXQW14q8ugAfO_byrUgfODA6ETrWYtt5elu5RkjxlVYX/s1600/storytone2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="305" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7JFcSx_8heWngvFT-kjjAoQFhUPO7fT38NRf5CZfeKEazNiA_yrl6pSnk_LFaJVSSpa2yFJwpBlKFPJGxJhajpX0zefXMeoooXQW14q8ugAfO_byrUgfODA6ETrWYtt5elu5RkjxlVYX/s400/storytone2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpquku1k9wvYUEIK1iHVpaJIekXQ2ybpThkMxB_5dfRURvoHF4oIpn-t_PE8jkg60TDwVtKuPJZQNoTGJQ0FBy8HQWsR5G-tFUQ02rJ0KK7JvN9vd2bvHzxQhjWhoQH179ZjddsDFQbZD/s1600/storytone+auction+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="192" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpquku1k9wvYUEIK1iHVpaJIekXQ2ybpThkMxB_5dfRURvoHF4oIpn-t_PE8jkg60TDwVtKuPJZQNoTGJQ0FBy8HQWsR5G-tFUQ02rJ0KK7JvN9vd2bvHzxQhjWhoQH179ZjddsDFQbZD/s400/storytone+auction+page.jpg" /></a><i>click images to enlarge!</i></div>
<p>Here's something you don't see every day: a 1939 RCA Storytone Electric Piano. The piano is listed on Ebay for $250,000, but there's a "make offer" option, so maybe you could get it for less if you're interested. It's a real Art Deco beauty. The <a href="http://www.piedmontpiano.com/">Piedmont Piano Company</a> in the Bay Area has a <a href="http://www.piedmontpiano.com/Webpages/Galleries/Usedgeneral/1939Storytone.html">nice page with some information and additional pictures of another Storytone Piano</a>.</p>
<p>Here's a recording of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrreNHM9pgM">Earl Hines playing a Storytone Piano.</a> The Storytone was strung much like an acoustic piano, and had a pickup but no soundboard (according to the Piedmont Piano Company) but I can't figure out what kind of pickup it had. The Storytone has an interesting sound, but not as distinctive as either a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodes_piano">Fender Rhodes piano</a>, which uses tines and magnetic pickups, or the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurlitzer_electric_piano">Wurlitzer Electric Piano</a>, which uses metal reeds with an electrostatic pickup.</p>
<p>Here's the <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-RCA-STORYTONE-FIRST-ELECTRIC-PIANO-/190601470733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c60bba30d#ht_500wt_1116">link to the Ebay listing</a> in case you'd like to make an offer on the Storytone.Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-52686616009520115442012-04-18T14:50:00.005-07:002012-04-18T14:57:37.335-07:00Rejection letter from Museum of Modern Art to Andy Warhol. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhliAsklShplrpR4pyR3NOape_r-nd_qvVpYUYiCBte0R-jvmNTg8DY_TFcK9MEG-tSPBWjJ0IFeIdFYzJi10q5v5yXdhP0_T3mP9MYYYozWVn-IIkh3-0Wu3BMo5qHaAm7cg90qKeFtMX/s1600/andy_warhol_rejection_letter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhliAsklShplrpR4pyR3NOape_r-nd_qvVpYUYiCBte0R-jvmNTg8DY_TFcK9MEG-tSPBWjJ0IFeIdFYzJi10q5v5yXdhP0_T3mP9MYYYozWVn-IIkh3-0Wu3BMo5qHaAm7cg90qKeFtMX/s400/andy_warhol_rejection_letter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732861753994320594" /><i>click image to enlarge!</i></a><br /><p> </p><br />I think this is a great commentary on the way things change as well as the way things never change.<br /><br />Story <a href="http://www.papermag.com/2012/03/andy_warhols_moma_rejection_letter.php/">here</a>.<br /><br /><i>via <a href="http://www.papermag.com">PAPERMAG</a> via <a href="http://thisisnthappiness.com/">This Isn't Happiness</a></i>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-13409324766201204042012-04-09T18:15:00.009-07:002012-04-10T13:17:21.751-07:00Ram Jam 2012 - April 13 & 14 @ Boneshakers in San Antonio <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqisrt9jYL4WsI82Uz7UMkRePUyz2km60AULBJoLNXjSVi8d3mXJjJCdc4YlbmytXeC70kxWDlYTTfWgsw9iLwN8MbhWu64ZR7bjbJS3bf5lAUd-0_WVBrl9izRMkb9SlTupFJRQxWROQz/s1600/ram+jam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqisrt9jYL4WsI82Uz7UMkRePUyz2km60AULBJoLNXjSVi8d3mXJjJCdc4YlbmytXeC70kxWDlYTTfWgsw9iLwN8MbhWu64ZR7bjbJS3bf5lAUd-0_WVBrl9izRMkb9SlTupFJRQxWROQz/s400/ram+jam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729574836173431426" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75myr2IxtZCY7VR2ib8gtlm7DysoLG7QN3DTUdxcLNWVzUgLQvgqA8DTh2zJUEJnuRceiYOZk6j820ZQ7e-Dw0agXUkr9_d-3DpndB_4fhPo37m68s9uyMEMF0I19elaWZ6dTlMRhlbet/s1600/Ram.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75myr2IxtZCY7VR2ib8gtlm7DysoLG7QN3DTUdxcLNWVzUgLQvgqA8DTh2zJUEJnuRceiYOZk6j820ZQ7e-Dw0agXUkr9_d-3DpndB_4fhPo37m68s9uyMEMF0I19elaWZ6dTlMRhlbet/s400/Ram.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729576843800635138" /></a><br /><br /><br />This Friday and Saturday, it'll be time to drive down to San Antonio, strap on a guitar and play the Ram Jam at Boneshakers. Ram Jam is a tribute to the late, great Ramiro Ayala who passed away in 2005. Ram was the owner of San Antonio's legendary Tacoland music venue that often hosted (and embraced) weird, loud and sometimes obscene musical acts. You could say and do just about anything at Tacoland (and many did!) <br /><br />You can read the NPR story about Tacoland <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113892215">here.</a><br /><br />We miss you, Ram!Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-43477643104755681072012-03-29T23:50:00.008-07:002012-03-30T00:17:00.813-07:001972 Ducati Imola Racer Replica<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV38Rhub7oKZ3FNfC490yx_JWGXj-Z3y6QvinfP5ARaY-FGlmWR6kLsU84kYiPMR-tA-vhbJlpolXIYgrgGJz0k4LkGAbj8XL7BJHWuA8QDLT1cchkrFv1-nKXmq8v38gQZFRwErMJALq/s1600/Ducati-Hero.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV38Rhub7oKZ3FNfC490yx_JWGXj-Z3y6QvinfP5ARaY-FGlmWR6kLsU84kYiPMR-tA-vhbJlpolXIYgrgGJz0k4LkGAbj8XL7BJHWuA8QDLT1cchkrFv1-nKXmq8v38gQZFRwErMJALq/s400/Ducati-Hero.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725579086693510258" /><i>(Click to enlarge image. Go ahead! It's worth it!)</i></a><br /><br />You say you've already got a full <a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/crimson.html">Crimson Electronics</a>/<a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/tocaro.html">Tocaro</a>/<a href="http://www.austinhifi.com/resolutionaudio.html">Resolution Audio</a> system and you don't know what to do with all the cash you have left over? You could always head on over to the <a href="http://us.deuscustoms.com/motorcycles/bikes/">Deus Ex Machina</a> website and find a nice bike for those Saturday trips down to the used record store.<br /><br />I think the <a href="http://au.deuscustoms.com/motorcycle/replica-ducati-green-frame/">1972 Ducati Imola Racer Replica</a> is pretty nice, but they seem to have sold it. Don't worry, they still have plenty of other <a href="http://us.deuscustoms.com/motorcycles/bikes/">nice bikes to choose from!</a>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-13833839935214731812012-03-28T22:52:00.003-07:002012-03-28T22:55:56.190-07:00Earl Scruggs 1924 - 2012<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0pWnZFrdQFE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />Earl Scruggs passed away today at the ripe old age of 88. Here's a video of Earl playing "Fireball Mail". Enjoy!Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035496898682587256.post-80403759335074259132012-03-12T11:14:00.014-07:002012-03-14T21:28:11.695-07:00SXSW and the new Tocaro 40-D loudspeakers<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gf_BgIJhgFyIBQLa4QY8V-lXq6e07cBH8GEMzNiiT7mD2BMCwToxVFyKeXYqdTOCxH4GZSSyUNkSBBFoUDCasGv_Bp7pkmERiqQzRPwoqc7rUf1ILfJIJs092wLUm7Abur6PozoWPRbK/s1600/tocaro-40c-pick-day-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gf_BgIJhgFyIBQLa4QY8V-lXq6e07cBH8GEMzNiiT7mD2BMCwToxVFyKeXYqdTOCxH4GZSSyUNkSBBFoUDCasGv_Bp7pkmERiqQzRPwoqc7rUf1ILfJIJs092wLUm7Abur6PozoWPRbK/s400/tocaro-40c-pick-day-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719970163541556066" />Tocaro 40D loudspeakers <i>(click image to enlarge)</i></a><br /><br />Hey, Austin and Austin visitors, it's SXSW again! It's gonna be a busy week, so make sure to set aside some time to come hear the new Tocaro 40D Loudspeakers. <br /><br />We'll also be playing the Crimson 710/640E-III preamp/amp combination, the Resolution Cantata Music Center and the ATC SCM50SL three-way monitors. <br /><br />We're downtown, right by Whole Foods. Call us at (512) 236-9100 and let us know you're coming by!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6CJXWrA0WYAkRNFwvvr-_BPzM4HSSLughobGJPDbM6v6KEqspEjin5_myiKUaQ1Xqh5JtdEmm4_0vHb4ORQBOV0JdfMaI6x0_61K_EV3w6DVHKKSGNeFmB6qEJBocvueY6gxUg58HUNC/s1600/tocaro-40c-grill-pick-day-2-400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6CJXWrA0WYAkRNFwvvr-_BPzM4HSSLughobGJPDbM6v6KEqspEjin5_myiKUaQ1Xqh5JtdEmm4_0vHb4ORQBOV0JdfMaI6x0_61K_EV3w6DVHKKSGNeFmB6qEJBocvueY6gxUg58HUNC/s400/tocaro-40c-grill-pick-day-2-400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719975677900782162" />Tocaro 40D loudspeakers with grilles <i>(click to enlarge)</i></a>Creston Funk and Mark Heastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13826147340138867101noreply@blogger.com0