A whole site dedicated to used vinyl and the prices they went for on ebay.

PopSike

Coooool…

Thanks Fred!

We were listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Tin Pan Alley (plugging the Audio Note M9 directly into the wall is significantly better than through our [usually only somewhat problematic $60, sounds better than most $2K+ … OK, $5K+ …power conditioners], power-strip) and wondered just where Tin Pan Alley was.

I thought it was next to Hells Kitchen in Manhattan. Neli thought it was a euphemism for skid row.

But we was wrong.

From Wikipedia Tin Pan Alley:

“Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The term is also used to describe any area within a major city with a high concentration of music publishers or musical instrument stores - a good example being Denmark Street[1][2] in London’s West End. In the 1920s the street became known as “Britain’s Tin Pan Alley” because of the large number of music shops, a title it still holds: the Tin Pan Alley Festival is held there each July.”

So now we have to listen to the lyrics all over again… and try and figure out what they REALLY mean. Oh man. The pain. The PAIN.

IBM Details World’s Fastest Graphene Transistor

“Lin cautioned against thinking of graphene as a substitute for the silicon-based microprocessors used in today’s computers, at least at anytime in the near future. One major roadblock is that graphene does not work easily with discrete electronic signals, he explained. ”

“Instead, graphene is better suited for making analog transistors, such as signal processors and amplifiers. Today, such circuitry is largely made from GaAs (gallium arsenide), though GaAs offers nowhere near the same electron mobility, Lin said.”

[thanks, Florian ]

John Barnes, a local dealer (Audio Unlimited), passed away unexpectedly last week.

John ran a high-end audio dealership out of a house in the middle of Denver, and was our unwitting inspiration for starting Audio Federation. Audio Unlimited was our primary [only] competitor in the Denver ultra high-end audio market [less so in recent years] but John was always friendly, down to earth, and good-natured about it all.

I would run into John at shows, all the RMAFs and sometimes CES, and he’d always make a few jokes about the number of photos I was taking or whatever and a few jokes about the magazine coverage of these shows [he did pretty darn well at this… harrumph], the state of the Denver market [nobody is happy about it, let’s just say], and other things that made us relative newbies [not so much anymore, this is our 10th year] feel comfortable and welcome.

Thanks, John.

Todd, a friend of ours is producing an album and he brought up several versions of each of the songs on the album to hear what they sounded like in high fidelity.

We played them mostly upstairs on the Emm Labs XDS1 CD player [the Audio Note CDT Five and Fifth Element digital are currently being enjoyed in the Bay Area for a week or two], the Audio Note M9 preamp, the Audio Note Ongaku integrated amp and finally into the Marten Coltrane Supreme speakers.

The way I understand it, 16 tracks went into the mix, where their equalization and relative volume etc were played with and condensed into 2-channels and saved onto a 1/2 inch tape and at the same time onto a ‘mix CD’. The mastering engineer then mastered the 1/2 inch tape in several different ways, each time, apparently, in response to feedback from the musicians and our friend the producer. This particular producer, Todd, goes to great lengths to try and use the right technologies to try and preserve the original performance, live in this case, and not rely ONLY on tape and tubes and not ONLY on DSP software and hard disks.

So, today, what we heard was, song by song, the original Mix version of the song and two to three masterings of the song.

The Mix version was always cleaner with better separation and containing more delicate nuances - revealing more inherent emotion and musician technique than the masterings of the song did.

The masters… the mastering process is more brute force than the mixing process; there being only 2-channels instead of 16 - equalization and compression affects more than just one instrument, for example. So some mastered songs were digital sounding [too much treble?], hard sounding or dull sounding [too much compression? top rolled off too much] but some masters really were better.

Sometimes the bass would be diminished somewhat, bringing the vocals and harmony forward making it more accessible to the listener. Some masterings seemed to increase the air a bit, capturing the emotion and suspense at the very end of various phrases song by the vocalist [cool that this is how many people put emotion into their voice, at the very end of words and sentences]. Some mastered songs seemed to have much more PRaT than their pure Mix versions [which I suspect was do to slight compression of the frequencies of the main melody line - but I liked it!]

So what I learned here was that slightly different masterings have a big affect and can take what I would consider a good song and make it very engaging and involving or make it boring and brash. Just shows how much trust we put into not only the musicians, not just the studio and mastering technologies, but in the mixer, the masterer, and the producer of these albums - that they will deliver to us audiophiles something decent that we can now try and reproduce to the best of our abilities.

I also learned that, personally, although I prefer the clean Mix version [it is much more real], it took less time, and was easier, to ‘get into’ and enjoy some of the mastered versions. The music was first rate, IMHO, and I would call it a blend of bluegrass and… honky-tonk? folk?

Anyway, this was a great way to spend an afternoon.

We have three pairs of these legendary amps for sale at used prices. This is kind of a preview notice before we put them up on the general classifieds sites and announce their availability to the general public.

You all know what kind of rave reviews these 18 watt amps have received in the ‘press’ and we have driven the $350,000 Coltrane Supreme speakers with them many, many MANY times with great satisfaction. Articulate, clear and natural sounding, great separation, good tone - an AMAZING bargain at their $29,990 full retail value compared to the 99% of the competition [which might be saying more about the outrageousness of the competition pricing strategies than the price of these amps, but…] and at their ‘used price’ a freaking otherworldly-ish good deal…

Lamm ML2.1 amplifier

Lamm ML2.1 amplifier

One pair is a trade-in by a fella who upgraded to the $139,290 Lamm ML3 amplifiers.

One pair is a trade-in by a fella who upgraded to the $105,000 Audio Note Ongaku integrated amplifier.

One pair is our dealer demo pair we have had on the floor for several years. Not sure if we are going to upgrade to the new, somewhat more expensive Lamm ML2.2 or the ML3 [would prefer the ML3, but we are kind of strange that way ].

Send us an email or call Neli if you are interested!

[We are not showing at the Expo, but we may go down and visit and check all this stuff out…:-)]

Vintage Voltage Expo Sunday, March 27, 2011 Ramada Plaza Convention Center

Dear friends and fans of vintage audio,

Tomorrow is going to be a great day at the 5th Annual Vintage Voltage Expo!
- We’ve expanded the show floor and widened the aisles!
- We have sold over 100 tables, and we are SOLD OUT of vendor spaces!

Scroll down for easy directions, admission info and more!

We got a nice article in this week’s Westword … and a nice blurb in today’s Denver Post!

“MADE IN JAPAN” Benefit!
Buyers - bring your “made in Japan” purchases to Registration, and we’ll donate $1 to the Red Cross Japan relief fund for every “made in Japan” item we log. Buyers and sellers are welcome to match the donations for their items. At the end of the show, everyone can gather round while we tally up and make our online donation!

New: Special appearance by
Miss Modernism
Jaime Askvig! 10am - 1pm

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Be part of the year-round community.

General show info follows. See you TOMORROW!
- Dana

Sunday March 27, 2011

Ramada Plaza Convention Center
I-25 at 120th Ave, Northglenn/Denver
(Scroll down for directions!)

10 am - 3 pm
(Early Bird admission: 9 am)

Winner:
BEST VINTAGE ELECTRONICS

Loads of Vendors from Around the Region Selling:

vintage electronics - old school audio gear - tube amps - antique radios - transistor radios - speakers - turntables - vintage LPs & 45s - hi-fi - synthesizers - stereos - 8-tracks - electric guitars - amps - vintage TVs - ham radio - commercial equipment - video games - parts - and MORE!

— All kinds of cool old electronics and music stuff! —

It’s like a:

- Antique Radio Swap Meet

- Vintage Audio Convention

- Record Collector’s Show

- Used Electronics Flea Market

- and a Vintage Guitar Show

ALL IN ONE!

Bring a FRIEND and come on down! It’s Guys’ Day Out!

COLORADO RADIO CLUB:
The Colorado Radio Collectors Club (CRC) will be hosting their big annual show within our show! Don’t miss this chance to see LOADS of the best radios in the STATE! Big Radios, Little Radios, Old Radios and Even OLDER Radios! This is a REALLY GREAT bunch of guys! For more info on the club, visit www.radioace.com

VINTAGE VOLTAGE EXPO
Admission: $5.
Kids under 12 Free.
CRC members FREE.

Early birds ( 9-10am) $10.
(if you want first crack at this stuff!)

DIRECTIONS:

From Denver: Head north on I-25. Exit at 120th Ave. (exit 223) - go east to first street where you can make a right. est. time - 10 minutes

From northern Colo/Wyoming: Head south on I-25 to 120th Ave. (exit 223). Go east under highway, turn right at first street.

From Boulder: Head east on US 36. Take CO-121 exit toward US-287. Jig left onto Wadsworth, following signs for CO-121/CO-128E. Turn slight left to take US-287 ramp & merge onto CO 128-E. CO 128 is the same as 120th Ave. Continue east, go under I-25 and turn right at first street. est. time: 20 minutes

Vendors:
For those who are selling:
- Set-up is 7 - 10 am. Load through East Doors. BYO Dollies.
- Some of the best “Early Bird” buyers get in at 9am. Try to be mostly set up by then.
- Bring Extension cords if you need them.
- TELL ME NOW if you need electricity, so I can get you on or near a wall.
- We will provide your tables, chairs and table coverings.
- You’ll get name badges, etc. for you and your helpers at load-in.
- Load out is 3pm. No early packing!
- Please help us spread the word to your email lists and Facebook contacts!

More info: www.danacain.com/vintage-voltage-expo

Please Forward to Interested Friends, Groups and Lists!

Dana Cain | 5061 S. Stuart Ct | Denver, CO 80123

Vintage Voltage Expo March 27, 2011 Ramada Plaza Convention Center

Dear friends and fans of vintage audio,

The 5th annual Vintage Voltage Expo is in just 3 weeks! We’re only hosting ONE show this year - back to our annual March schedule at the Ramada Plaza in Northlgenn/Denver.

Over 1,500 dedicated fans of vintage audio, radio and music gear attended our show last March! Every year more and more people are finding out about us!

WANT TO SELL? Register now to be a seller at www.vintagevoltage2011.eventbrite.com .
More info at http://danacain.com/vintage-voltage-expo/ . Dealers Tables are $40 or 3 for $100.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Be part of the year-round community.

And for those of you heading up to the Big K Record Show today - Have a blast, look for our fliers and help us spread the word!

General show info follows. See you in 3 weeks!
- Dana

Sunday March 27, 2011

Ramada Plaza Convention Center

I-25 at 120th Ave, Northglenn/Denver
10 am - 3 pm
(Early Bird admission: 9 am)

Winner:
BEST VINTAGE ELECTRONICS

Loads of Vendors from Around the Region Selling:

vintage electronics - old school audio gear - tube amps - antique radios - transistor radios - speakers - turntables - vintage LPs & 45s - hi-fi - synthesizers - stereos - 8-tracks - electric guitars - amps - vintage TVs - ham radio - commercial equipment - video games - parts - and MORE!

— All kinds of cool old electronics and music stuff! —

It’s like a:

- Antique Radio Swap Meet

- Vintage Audio Convention

- Record Collector’s Show

- Used Electronics Flea Market

- and a Vintage Guitar Show

ALL IN ONE!

Bring a FRIEND and come on down! It’s Guys’ Day Out!

COLORADO RADIO CLUB:
The Colorado Radio Collectors Club (CRC) will be hosting their big annual show within our show! Don’t miss this chance to see LOADS of the best radios in the STATE! Big Radios, Little Radios, Old Radios and Even OLDER Radios! This is a REALLY GREAT bunch of guys! For more info on the club, visit www.radioace.com

VINTAGE VOLTAGE EXPO

Admission: $5.
Kids under 12 Free.
CRC members FREE.

Early birds ( 9-10am) $10.
(if you want first crack at this stuff!)

Vendors:
6-ft Vendor Table: $40
or 3 tables for $100
Set-up 7 - 10 am.
Tear down - 3pm (no early tear-down)

Payment Options:
Pay online with credit card at:
www.vintagevoltage2011.eventbrite.com

or mail check to:
Dana Cain (made out to me)
5061 S. Stuart Ct. Denver, CO 80123

More info: http://danacain.com/vintagevoltagexpo.html

Please Forward to Interested Friends, Groups and Lists!

A little update on the state of things here…

The Audio Note Ongaku integrated is on the Coltrane Supreme speakers. Those are the Lamm ML2.1 waiting in the wings. They were used as part of a recent out-of-towner audition. [Yes, the speaker cables are taking a shortcut over the Marten crossover - a little cable dressing no-no but, well, it ain’t going to reach otherwise].

The deathstar [mixing movie metaphors here, I know] Audio Note digital is on the left: The CDT-5 transport, the Fifth Element DAC and Fifth Force power supply. On the right is the Brinkmann turntable, the Audio Note S9 step up transformer and the Audio M9 Phono preamplifier. On the bottom there is the Emm Labs XDS1 CD/SACD player.

Downstairs we have the Audio Note Kegon amps driving the Audio Note AN/E SE Signature speakers.

On the side we have a lot of stuff. We have the Audio Note CDT-3 transport and DAC 4 Balanced into the Emm Labs PRE2 linestage. We also have the Walker turntable into the Lamm LP2 phono preamplifier. Other components - not hooked up - and the Audio Note Kegon Balanced amps and M3 RIAA phono preamplifier.

In the small room we have the Audio Aero Capitole CD player and the, I think Neli has the P1 hooked up, driving the AN/E SPe HE speakers.

A new Radiohead album is being released by the band:

The King of Limbs

It is downloadable (MP3 and uncompressed WAV) on Saturday. We hope to hear it Sunday [thanks Mike!] burned on a CD. We will be playing it through the Audio Note CDT-5, Fifth Element and Fifth Force digital and perhaps also the Emm Labs XDS1 and 1) see how it compares to ‘CD quality’ and 2) hear their new album