Sad News - Peter Lai, aged 47 and Florio Pozza, aged 60 - passed away

I only corresponded with Peter, living st a distance - i.e. he lived and worked in Melbourne, Australia...

I always appreciated his kindness, warmness, empathy and good taste for every aspects of life.

He sadly passed away on May 24th...

The sad, sad news of his untimely death touched me deeply... only a few hours after the passing away of another good, dear friend of mine - Florio Pozza - in a car crash.

Florio with beloved didjeridoo...

... by chance (or not): Florio - an accomplished musician and artist - was born in Myrtlebay, Australia from italian parents and was back to Italy when 14yo... he passed away on May 22nd.

Death if part of life, sure... but, please!!!

There're bunches of fucking bad nasty people, around... why good fella goes, first?

Please!!!

Some words from Peter' daughter:

Dear friends and family, 

Below are ceremony details should you wish to attend. We appreciate your understanding in this difficult time. 

Today Friday 25th May 6pm to 9pm Jensen Funerals St Albans for viewing. 

Saturday 26th May 9am to 10.45am at Jensen Funerals St Albans for ceremony and refreshments. 11am to 1pm at Altona cemetary for cremation.

Our family would appreciate any kind of help during this difficult time. If you would like to make a donation, please do so here: https://paypal.me/ducfam

-----

Chúng tôi xin thông báo với toàn thể gia dình, bạn bè xa gần ngày tang lễ cũa con chúng tôi. Xin cám ỏn tất Cả đã chia buồn với chúng tôi trong lúc này. Chi tiết của tang lễ sẽ dược tỗ chức tại St Albans vào ngày Thứ Bãy 26/5/2018. 

Thứ Sáu 25/5 tại Ern Jensen and Sons St Albans 6-9pm để thăm viếng và thắp nhang. 

Ngày Tang Lễ
Saturday 26/5/2018

Ern Jensen and sons funeral,
St Albans 

9-10.45 am ceremony at Jensen’s funeral.

11am to Altona cemetery

11.15-11.30am Cremation 

12- 1 pm finish Ceremony

R.I.P. dear Peter... R.I.P. dear Florio... my friends.

Martha Medeiros - Lentamente Muore

“Lentamente Muore” è una splendida poesia, forse la più bella pubblicata negli ultimi anni, scritta dalla giornalista e scrittrice brasiliana Martha Medeiros, e resa pubblica per la prima volta nel 2000 sul quotidiano Zero Hora di Porto Alegre, in Brasile. Si tratta di una vera ode alla vita, perché una vita non vissuta non fa altro che avvicinare l’uomo alla sua sconfitta, alla staticità, alla morte. Del resto, non è necessario che il cuore sia fermo per morire, si può morire ogni giorno se non si è complici e partecipi della propria vita, se tutto scorre nell’abitudine, se il tempo passa inesorabilmente e soprattutto, se non si è creativi verso la propria stessa vita.
La creatività è una dimensione spirituale che ci appartiene, è interiore a noi e attraverso di essa si accetta di vivere nella fragile provvisorietà del momento, si riesce ad apprezzare la vera arte, l’armonia, la bellezza e si scoprono cose sempre nuove andando oltre l’immutabile apparenza delle situazioni e degli avvenimenti. Ecco perché oggi voglio pubblicare questa meravigliosa poesia di Martha Medeiros, perché di fronte a questa ode alla vita non ci si può non soffermare, non si può non riflettere, e prendere atto sul fatto che.. “essere vivo richiede uno sforzo di gran lunga maggiore del semplice fatto di respirare.”. Di seguito pubblico il testo della poesia (“A Morte Devagar” è il suo titolo originale):

Lentamente muore

“Lentamente muore chi diventa schiavo dell’abitudine, ripetendo ogni giorno gli stessi percorsi,chi non cambia la marcia, chi non rischia e cambia colore dei vestiti,chi non parla a chi non conosce.

Muore lentamente chi fa della televisione il suo guru.Muore lentamente chi evita una passione,chi preferisce il nero su biancoe i puntini sulle “i”piuttosto che un insieme di emozioni,proprio quelle che fanno brillare gli occhi,quelle che fanno di uno sbadiglio un sorriso,quelle che fanno battere il cuore davanti all’errore e ai sentimenti.

Lentamente muore chi non capovolge il tavolo quando è infelice sul lavoro,chi non rischia la certezza per l’incertezza per inseguire un sogno, chi non si permette almeno una volta nella vita,di fuggire ai consigli sensati.

Lentamente muore chi non viaggia,chi non legge,chi non ascolta musica,chi non trova grazia in se stesso.

Muore lentamente chi distrugge l’amor proprio,chi non si lascia aiutare chi passa i giorni a lamentarsi della propria sfortuna o della pioggia incessante.

Lentamente muore chi abbandona un progetto prima di iniziarlo,chi non fa domande sugli argomenti che non conosce o non risponde quando gli chiedono qualcosa che conosce.

Evitiamo la morte a piccole dosi,ricordando sempre che essere vivo richiede uno sforzo di gran lunga maggiore del semplice fatto di respirare.

Soltanto l’ardente pazienzaporterà al raggiungimento di una splendida felicità.”

Jaap & me

Very happy I met Jaap Pees at M.O.C. 2018... we chased trying to meet in person for at least three Hi End fair editions... we succeeded, at last...

Just in case someone argues: I'm laughing for our common pal Simone Lucchetti's kidding...

Don't know if I'm more sad or angry...

Read here...

The Ugly Duckling sings...

A one of a kind Hiraga Class A integrated amp for my wife system: aluminium modular Meccano-like chassis thanking Massimo Dalla Fontana and original printed circuit boards of La Maison de l’Audiophile I had as spares, original NOS Toshiba NPN/PNP transistors and superb transformer, modern high quality caps for 0,5 Farads capacity, Alps Blue Velvet pot and stainless steel knob... 20W Class A, so smooth. Thanking my best pal, Francesco for the nice job and Riccardo Costa for the black (nicely machined, carved and polished) plexiglas front plate.

Was it worth the hassle - time-wise and outsourcing parts - and expense? Listening to it right now too lazy to reach my studietto for premium Gotorama's musical bliss and... definitely yes: a pleasant, relaxing and relaxed sound from something my very own, only.

Humble proudness from bespoke, one-of-a-kind audio...

Breaking news - SME acquires Garrard brand-name and Loricraft

Good stroke, SME...

&

=

Silbatone at M.O.C. 2018 - when less is more...

Downsizing and bringing audio to a new level of care for details and human-sized expense to par will be next goal... this is my humble opinion and heartfelt wish.

I recently corresponded with my pal and mentor Joe Roberts and he shared some details about the next Munchen Silbatone Shrine, 2018 edition.

The choice of Joe and Silbatone's people was someway unwanted and forced by unexpected and complicate eveniences... so, let's not expect exotic WE 16A, 12, 15 or 13 large horns, but...

Chance plays a role in life and life itself choose to bring things down to earth. 

A world, a new better world where less is more.

So, here are some exclusive news, straight from JR:

"We will have 757A (great speaker, one of my favorites), TA-4165s in a small TA-7395 inspired horn baffle, and two prs. of 755A in Silbatone cabinets."

Sounds good to me...

Look forward in meeting new and old friends at Silbatone's... where music and quality counts.

Sorane ZA-12 arm

A beauty of shape & function...

Check here for more details...

Gray 108 Magnesium unipivot viscous-damping arm clone

Again by Karmadon's...

From Ukraina with love!

GRAY 108 tonearm clone from magnesium alloy.

The arm is made of magnesium alloy. As is known, the most desirable audiophile option of GRAY 108 is made of magnesium.
All mounting dimensions are equivalent to the original. Arm painted with gray WRINKLE dye.
The geometrical dimensions of the arm, arm base, set screw are also 100% equivalent to the original and all made from highest quality materials.
The needle and the screw are made from 1045 steel.
The tonearm is fully equipped with everything being needed to install on the turntable as you can see it on the photos.
The tonearm is equipped with a cable (2 feet) and clips Cardas.

Also, there is an instruction for installing and correct setting.

And now available in black.

Price for such a masterpiece is a stunning USD 550 plus shipping!

Just ordered one for my (second) Lumiere DST or Denon DL102!

Karmadon 12" arm for Ukraine

A gorgeous arm is born, folks...

... an unipivot, an high-mass design by Serge Rogozyansky.

Thanking Any Moore for sharing.

Much worth exploring Serge's site, indeed.

Disc of the Month - Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet (Nonesuch 2018)

Listening again to this voice, after years from Oh Superman and others seminal early Laurie's discs, made my day... for many days, now.

This 2 records-set, mastered by Bob Ludwig and masterfully played by Kronos' and composed and played as well by Laurie Anderson is a superb disc, indeed.

It's atmospheric and fresh... and the recording is smooth and detailed, unveiled and natural-sounding.

I liked it a lot!

Site of the Day - Tyko Runesson guitars from Switzerland

Today I found a fantastic luthier from Switzerland...

Check the sound of these superb instruments here and here, stunning playing both by Thomas Sonderegger.

Zoe's amp

Check www.littlezoe.eu and see it at next Munchen Hi End M.O.C. 2018.

Sex!

A rainy Saturday afternoon stands to music-listening as sex stands to love...

... or not?

Glenn Jones' acoustic guitar compilation

From Glenn himself...

I selected and sequenced the tracks for this double LP (or 78-minute CD) collection and wrote the accompanying liner notes. Just got my copies -- Concord / Craft did a bang-up job: top grade vinyl; heavy board gatefold cover; color minis of all the original Takoma and Vanguard LPs; six 11 X 11 pages of notes (20 pages in the CD). Two tracks have never been reissued since they came out on LP more than 40 years ago. Proud!

WOW!

Spring 2018 yard-sale

I'm selling the following gears, well-cared for, in flawlessly working conditions... why?

Not because I don't like, actually... yet, life is changes, folks... and I love changing...

Seriously: I'm actually enjoying other gears in my system and it's time to let these fine objects go and find a new, good home.

Thomas Mayer 4-chassis transformers-coupled preamp: line-stage using 2 x 1929 N.O.S. Cunningham CX310 with power supply and Dave Slagle transformers and LCR phono-stage using 4 x Western Electric 437A and Tango LCR EQ600 with power supply. Many N.O.S. spare-tubes included. 220V only. Superb!

Garrardzilla and 4-ways crossovers not included in the offer;-)

Hiraga Le Classè A 30W Class A amps - 4 pieces available, in perfect shape, nicely sounding, superb building quality.

- Marantz 7C tube pre-amp from the '60s with six "Diamond/Smooth plate" N.O.S. Telefunken ECC-83 100 % unmodified/original, as built by Saul Marantz and Sidney Smith + wooden case + original papers - truly seldom seen 220V original!!!!!

- Marantz 10B tube-tuner, the "Rolls-Royce" of tuners from the '60s + wooden case + fully original/unmodified/serviced, perfectly working, with original papers - 117V;

- EMT 997 "Banana" 12 inches arm, N.O.S. in original wooden-box complete with ALL accessories (weights, 2 x arm-rests and papers) - EMT "diamond" mount for TSD15 cartridge - five bare-wires original;

- Ortofon RMG-309i 12 inches arm, original box and papers w/8N Ortofon blue cable;

- IVIE IE-30 Real Time Analyzer, complete in original briefcase, with class A microphone and ALL accessories, a brand-new set of genuine spare IVIE's batteries and Ivie IE-20 Pink and White noise-generator - both with original 117/220V power supplies/batteries chargers - top conditions and not comparable with any other shitty computer analyzer - the one! ;

- Bang & Olufsen CD-5500 design-friendly CD-player, Philips TDA-1541 DAC, superbly sounding;

- Radford HD-250 integrated amplifier, made in England, Partridge transformer, serviced and fully working; 


- BEYER TR/BV 351015006 MC transformer in Hammond alu box - nicely matching and sounding with EMT TSD-15 and, most of all, with Denon DL-103; 

- custom-made cartridges display/holder, dust-proof, made in plexiglas: black base and see-through clear plexiglas cover, good for 6 cartridges and headshells - elegant and useful for carts collectors - two available;  

- Nagra IV-S with QGB large-spools motor, alu flight-case, Power-supplies and accessories, cables, original Nagra's NAB and cine adapters, etc. - museum quality, perfect sounding/recording;

- 2006 vintage Thomas Schick 12" arm.

... also more goodies available - mostly speakers, all in top conditions - ( i.e. '50s Westrex 2080-A 15" woofers 16 ohm/Philips 9710 Alnico/RCA MI-9584 1,5" drivers 15 ohm + original metal theatre horns adapters/Emilar 1" 8 ohm drivers/420A Biflex 15" 8 ohm/JBL 2420 1" - high-drivers and original "sound-barrier" horn - 16 ohm/Isophon 22 cm Alnico/original N.O.S. Saba "green" mids and highs pairs and several baffles for wide-band and bass-enclosures for 15" woofers)... if the case, pls drop a line at:

stefanocello-at-gmail-dot-com

Will send hi-res pixes of any item to anyone interested enough... only be (a little) patient;-)