tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52871182396909314302024-02-20T19:47:43.603-05:00Puretone Audio Waterbury, VT 802-560-5103Believe Your Ears!Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-8734686543807275622021-07-16T12:20:00.000-04:002021-07-16T12:20:21.254-04:00WEBSITE IS GETTING REWIREDSoon. soon. soon.
Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-79764944930218126922011-02-28T11:27:00.006-05:002011-02-28T11:44:03.474-05:00Monday Morning Music Quote - Ian McLagan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZJj_a0fyTma0atkeTK5bOQYutVXcfEO69u8hw0ZSlGm4OdycUsRY63W32Qy5wcX3K3kgbcYBR_i1GL4PCKUSAlt7eurDG_btlsFW3Mo_2NEy5CmniIHpHfi3egGY1R0B5HOgNfUETw4/s1600/faces-rex_1691111c.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZJj_a0fyTma0atkeTK5bOQYutVXcfEO69u8hw0ZSlGm4OdycUsRY63W32Qy5wcX3K3kgbcYBR_i1GL4PCKUSAlt7eurDG_btlsFW3Mo_2NEy5CmniIHpHfi3egGY1R0B5HOgNfUETw4/s320/faces-rex_1691111c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578780783573702242" /></a><br />"We were staying at <a href="http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/reservation">Holiday Inns</a> as they were usually clean and dependable, but ultimately extremely boring and soul-destroying homes from home. The monotony got to everybody after a time. It was not possible to walk into the identical room in twenty different cities without wanting to hurt it, just a little. If there was anything built to be destroyed, it was the two-storey, motel model Holiday Inn." <br /><br /><br />- <a href="http://www.the-faces.com/">The Faces</a> keyboardist <a href="http://ianmclagan.com/">Ian McLagan</a> on life on the road in the 1970s United States. The band <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7926845/The-Faces-just-like-the-70s.html">recently announced they would be touring</a> again, with a surprise lead singer, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red and bass player, ex-Sex Pistol Glen Matlock. On the tour itinerary is an appearance at the prestigious <a href="http://www.goodwood.co.uk/revival/welcome.aspx">Goodwood Festival</a>, one of my favorite events in the world.Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-85958403130199308672011-02-21T11:19:00.004-05:002011-02-21T11:26:14.874-05:00Monday Morning Music Quote<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtPMO1_vuBCgDMzSM13lMPuqZ2bJVk3cFmkP1eNujsE2LgW2J_7teVgkPBd1WGg6-nFV9YJ_OXXhknJJA7r5YN6-iUbTLAcIJI4LRTbxhMMoHm12vTGmI0l3ffOG8aG9OMOfB6Gmuicc/s1600/a4f86100fd7da7934a1bcbbbf6de1f442.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtPMO1_vuBCgDMzSM13lMPuqZ2bJVk3cFmkP1eNujsE2LgW2J_7teVgkPBd1WGg6-nFV9YJ_OXXhknJJA7r5YN6-iUbTLAcIJI4LRTbxhMMoHm12vTGmI0l3ffOG8aG9OMOfB6Gmuicc/s320/a4f86100fd7da7934a1bcbbbf6de1f442.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576179178628729810" /></a><br /><br />"I`m not very good at holding grudges for very long, but he`s done some terrible things." - <a href="http://www.davidgilmour.com/">David Gilmour</a>, on former Pink Floyd bandmate <a href="http://www.rogerwaters.com/">Roger Waters</a>.Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-68092162948420074322011-01-08T00:03:00.016-05:002011-01-08T00:51:18.840-05:00Sights and Sounds of CES - Photo Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRrdirpJAmPPwR2jWTBHbAHvkN1zSp9GkpN9qoQBlqXUs6Dz4ay9snFh8pCP7VdJeMftQNBPuEBDBIQzDNLIz4MA8ISy7N-y5MI7Nj1hwtCsH3lSSwxL2QWxhD_ImULDr6jWn6_gJQUk/s1600/DSC01737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRrdirpJAmPPwR2jWTBHbAHvkN1zSp9GkpN9qoQBlqXUs6Dz4ay9snFh8pCP7VdJeMftQNBPuEBDBIQzDNLIz4MA8ISy7N-y5MI7Nj1hwtCsH3lSSwxL2QWxhD_ImULDr6jWn6_gJQUk/s320/DSC01737.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559680661930806994" /></a><br /><br />The best-sounding room on the 30th floor was the marvelous <a href="http://www.tonepublications.com/blog/estelon-speakers-have-arrived/">Estelon</a> speakers. A proprietary marble composite material is paired with some exquisite workmanship to produce magical sounds that both harnesses power and allows for fine detail. Loud, soft, a very well-balanced and natural tone that allows the music to stand first and foremost. Because it is all about the music, not the price, which in this case was around $44,000. Very impressive, especially when paired with the Burmester power amps and equally at home doing the Beatles and Nat King Cole.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUIw75ztAvXAFtxby8jhM31UQsyBRXPBLv1kg53nRJRxd6-pb7ldZFUN2Ssd066UR5LFnBk0wg8d8YPQmkOEW2B3fViSB4ffXHCo9zK25kBMZOt-5VxNB0GhOysIvB_8cggPIAXHdxzc/s1600/DSC01732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUIw75ztAvXAFtxby8jhM31UQsyBRXPBLv1kg53nRJRxd6-pb7ldZFUN2Ssd066UR5LFnBk0wg8d8YPQmkOEW2B3fViSB4ffXHCo9zK25kBMZOt-5VxNB0GhOysIvB_8cggPIAXHdxzc/s320/DSC01732.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559681588823429122" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ayonaudio.com/">Ayon Audio</a>'s sound jumped out at me from the hallway - beautiful tube monoblocks powering $90,000 Legacy speakers. Austrian-made tube magic that looks as good as it sounds, which is superb by any standard, with fantastic soundstaging and natural dynamics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXaU2JUu6rQ1IrvoHNdXqWMvXKmb3JWXPZgv2Yc4HK7HaeLGGrP1ho-10yZhxr-4YZqUgs_fSlgcoWkCL_bIXTHbF7LLYAATV_DN-0WFatCxraXTQCxCTo1Flzt65wNMaDW5qlNzxzfk/s1600/DSC01735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXaU2JUu6rQ1IrvoHNdXqWMvXKmb3JWXPZgv2Yc4HK7HaeLGGrP1ho-10yZhxr-4YZqUgs_fSlgcoWkCL_bIXTHbF7LLYAATV_DN-0WFatCxraXTQCxCTo1Flzt65wNMaDW5qlNzxzfk/s320/DSC01735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559681043331727746" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.devorefidelity.com/">DeVore Fidelity</a> shows off their newest creation, a retro-natural sounding floorstander with a gorgeous furniture quality multi-ply zebrawood facing. And extra points for being one of the few rooms to be spinning a steady diet of vinyl.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRosEX-3JQZhwCNCx5ddTFneoja0rodNLjUAf2mWYdCKY_Tk1SJALVy1O0zS85AWHf2UBomdw154MfnXqY4lU3j6QBHgaX_cKWv9kYHKdiB9wCQHfAaUDzoyq5TZ-rHc1GJXjM6NDQN-8/s1600/DSC01736.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRosEX-3JQZhwCNCx5ddTFneoja0rodNLjUAf2mWYdCKY_Tk1SJALVy1O0zS85AWHf2UBomdw154MfnXqY4lU3j6QBHgaX_cKWv9kYHKdiB9wCQHfAaUDzoyq5TZ-rHc1GJXjM6NDQN-8/s320/DSC01736.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559680855454668626" /></a><br /><br />Calin Gabriel of <a href="http://www.shunyata.com/">Shunyata Research</a> explains the finer points of power purification. Shunyata is one of the few cable companies to back up their claims with research and testing. Attention to detail and matching of wire sizes are but a few ingredients.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG8gsDbH8KJrS5xN3fMlTd-lgf_bEuFjgQZbUBcrNtuJV7ER8h6oKDjW1lioSACHEguvdJienwfz0kWq19pyKvGNp_TW5bBD57pVHgR869mNSdeum3cZm__0PWPa5-qtTHR6yE1XguC0/s1600/DSC01718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG8gsDbH8KJrS5xN3fMlTd-lgf_bEuFjgQZbUBcrNtuJV7ER8h6oKDjW1lioSACHEguvdJienwfz0kWq19pyKvGNp_TW5bBD57pVHgR869mNSdeum3cZm__0PWPa5-qtTHR6yE1XguC0/s320/DSC01718.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559680416184386946" /></a><br /><br />Our good friends at the <a href="http://www.soundorg.com/s_intro.html">SoundOrg</a> paired the impressive <a href="http://audioaficionado.org/news/6535-toneaudio-issue-34-ready-download.html">Rega DAC</a> ($995) with Dali speakers. Add an Ipad, an Airport and you have magic. How impressive was the Rega DAC? I texted in my order for one from the room (no room service) and it will arrive when I return to Connecticut. <br /><br />But only if it stops snowing and they stop serving me free margueritas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVAa1dH1hWirR-Gznrx1P9TCVfNbtFb3Jxa88iSGK5Tfvq0zlro0tv-4zj2g5P3CBTiG_swN1LWydQ0pJzn1-Z2U4doLXwyi3WWrPP7DiKCgWTc6gdkjL_e43aldp0n8KGsPVN0Y55Cs/s1600/DSC01723.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVAa1dH1hWirR-Gznrx1P9TCVfNbtFb3Jxa88iSGK5Tfvq0zlro0tv-4zj2g5P3CBTiG_swN1LWydQ0pJzn1-Z2U4doLXwyi3WWrPP7DiKCgWTc6gdkjL_e43aldp0n8KGsPVN0Y55Cs/s320/DSC01723.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559680141796626050" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kef.com/EN/Loudspeakers/QSeries2010/Floorstanding">KEF</a>'s Q900 sounded stunning. Eight inch woofers? Check. One inch tweeter? Check. A breakthrough at $1595/pair? Checkmate. The best sub-$2000 speaker I've ever heard and performance-wise surprisingly (and maybe a bit scarily) close to the $5000 XQ40s that I live with and love every day. Really a breakthrough at the pricepoint and proof that the "high-end" of audio performance does not necessarily refer to price.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh819j5QLPJnFijFmn_kaab-FmQ2_T9UiVBlGhMzx4onCeQR5taThLiZHh_WNtS-nwNFpvQxt8E_fVm9zHj6Ic_QHp9PleGLK1REzXxpCtQP2BiDRBAWzPnX8Sf69MnNYgj9kzaBmnGFgQ/s1600/DSC01728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh819j5QLPJnFijFmn_kaab-FmQ2_T9UiVBlGhMzx4onCeQR5taThLiZHh_WNtS-nwNFpvQxt8E_fVm9zHj6Ic_QHp9PleGLK1REzXxpCtQP2BiDRBAWzPnX8Sf69MnNYgj9kzaBmnGFgQ/s320/DSC01728.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559679977618490962" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.naimaudio.com/">NAIM Audio</a> had some of the most innovative products on display. With a eye towards fine packaging, superb sound, and input and output flexibility and foresight in the design. Part server, part DAC, part amp, the NAIM line makes sense in many, many ways. Plus Jenny from NAIM is exceedingly cool, races motorcycles at <a href="http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/">Miller Motorsports Park</a>, and is a knowledgeable and passionate <a href="http://www.indycar.com/">IndyCar</a> fan. <br /><br />Actually while I'm thinking about it, I've definitely noticed a changing of the guard. Gone are the pompous and stuffy shirts of the old guard audiophiles that look down their nose at music and in their place are younger, energetic and passionate music people that allow the enthusiasm to infuse their products.<br /><br />(more later)Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-28604591369156243592011-01-08T00:03:00.003-05:002011-01-08T00:15:10.429-05:00Sights and Sounds of CES - Photo Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSYmV8xonRSN5kCuZD8kS4DrwrI9vpjNKyC1Ou0MJWX1sb6tcacqd-Ha2hmgyKkr9yeq1ys2zOgZfw2nJZ-SnRuOKMfRPOy16rveWTEKI3XVoQOm4QTAxGQQZO683BqoElrzNjUvRKNc/s1600/DSC01722.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSYmV8xonRSN5kCuZD8kS4DrwrI9vpjNKyC1Ou0MJWX1sb6tcacqd-Ha2hmgyKkr9yeq1ys2zOgZfw2nJZ-SnRuOKMfRPOy16rveWTEKI3XVoQOm4QTAxGQQZO683BqoElrzNjUvRKNc/s320/DSC01722.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559677788451733506" /></a><br /><br />The SoundOrg pairs the impressive Rega DAC ($995) with Dali speakers. Add an Ipad, an Airport and you have magic. How impressive was the Rega DAC? I ordered one from the room (no room service) and it will arrive when I get back home. If it stops snowing and they stop serving me free margueritas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWx0TtNa7P-Xez628gcFaQKjmBSpGnRN6PxKD6m3K1IWFIiOBeEtQWSFOBrsklKUC6_9R3HXOcvuAvGOyf1m9XkrWBiZRAbXc6Mrip_rOOdiHM7FCFamOeHWABiAUtEXRshxJIppnS7g/s1600/DSC01718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWx0TtNa7P-Xez628gcFaQKjmBSpGnRN6PxKD6m3K1IWFIiOBeEtQWSFOBrsklKUC6_9R3HXOcvuAvGOyf1m9XkrWBiZRAbXc6Mrip_rOOdiHM7FCFamOeHWABiAUtEXRshxJIppnS7g/s320/DSC01718.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559676617140587890" /></a><br /><br />The KEF room - the ungodly power of the Q900 series. Eight inch woofers? Check. One inch tweeter? Check. Ridiculous performance at $1595 per pair. Checkmate. The best sub-$2000 floorstanders I've ever heard and perilously close in performance to the $5000 XQ40s.Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-36072469026090334632011-01-07T09:51:00.006-05:002011-01-07T11:32:36.388-05:00Viva Las Vegas - Live from CES and T.H.E. Show<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb88MDMQ7xmd7QmX6-FXnEY0JdTY1Onq9VLh6uswMl3S16Iakz2wy5tpqOQ2FMUAwHiHCPDUUSeoVST5xe1cQqM-69ewEti92qYTEkuLkurEcvnv68URWuakIzUkTDcHjMyY2cVvR1BQ/s1600/DSC01716.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb88MDMQ7xmd7QmX6-FXnEY0JdTY1Onq9VLh6uswMl3S16Iakz2wy5tpqOQ2FMUAwHiHCPDUUSeoVST5xe1cQqM-69ewEti92qYTEkuLkurEcvnv68URWuakIzUkTDcHjMyY2cVvR1BQ/s320/DSC01716.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559457244814444210" /></a><br /><br />Okay - this is how it all happened. <br /><br />Woke up Tuesday morning to hear the unmistakable sound of Nikita (my dog) heaving and getting ready to urp, urr, throw up, as dogs do from time-to-time. Right next to my pillow. Thanks, Nikita. Two heaves wasn't enough warning for the ENTIRE BREAKFAST to land there. <br /><br />I had been considering going to Vegas to the <a href="http://www.cesweb.org/">CES</a> and <a href="http://theshowlasvegas.com/">T.H.E. Show</a> for about a month, with usual concerns about time, travel time, cost, etc. After the cleanup, I went to @PuretoneAudio headquarters and checked the weather forecast - hmmm, northwest Connecticut, snow Friday and Saturday. Okay, another sign. <br /><br />Checked the available travel packages, and finally some flights popped up that didn't involve spending 18 hours each way in airports...the audio gods were conspiring. They were clearly saying, "yes, son, by all means come to Vegas and hear new gear!"<br /><br />So as I am wont to do, I booked the trip for Thursday...audio gear, Las Vegas, getting out of Dodge for a few days (I've been carefully compiling Western references and cliches to use). Fly across the country on two days notice, meet with my fine reps from Rega (Steve and Adam), Cayin Audio USA (Steve), KEF (Steph and Brian), and Musical Surroundings (Steve) as well as some (*apparently every other person in the audio industry is named Steve). <br /><br />Hang out with my good buddy and gear guru Jeff Dorgay from <a href="http://www.tonepublications.com/">ToneAudio magazine</a>. <br /><br />Eat, drink, be merry. Maybe even put a few dollars down against the Jets.<br /><br />So Thursday morning I set out for Bradley Airport to begin a hellish journey courtesy of <a href="http://www.aa.com/homePage.do">American Airlines</a>. <br /><br />Three words of advice - don't fly American. Ever. Even if they become the last airline in the country through cross-mergification.<br /><br />It's been a few years since I was a regular weekly traveler but I can't even begin to tell you how lousy this airline has become. I always thought Southwest and US Air were the undisputed kings of the cattle car journey, but they have been surpassed. CT to Dallas part of the trip was smooth on a completely jam-packed plane. Not another ounce of luggage could possibly have been stowed. <br /><br />Problem #1 - seats the size of a child carseat. I'm 6'3 and 200 lbs. My shoulders are about eight inches wider than the seats. Yogic contortions follow. Keep the elbows tucked. Keep the shoulders tucked. Don't mind the fact that my head is eight inches over the headrest. Don't mind the fact that my seat is pitched forward at a 15 degree angle, it's good for the abs.<br /><br />Arrive in Dallas-Fort Worth, DFW, the airport made famous in song by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stretch. Pray that circulation resumes in all appendages. Take the tram halfway across Texas to the other American terminal to find that I could have easily made an earlier flight to Las Vegas. Asked at the desk, received a look like I had just asked for the clerk's personal ATM PIN numbers; "no, sir, every seat is booked on this flight"...okay thanks, American. <br /><br />Sit back to wait another two hours for the next flight. Shop at the <a href="http://www.dallascowboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> team store, conveniently across from my gate. Alas, no <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/010711dnspocowboyscowlishaw.7606b8.html">red-headed Jesus</a> icons or garden statues available. Yet.<br /><br />Return to gate desk. Ask if there is any possible way I can bribe someone to get out of the dreaded E (middle of three) row seat that was staring at me from my boarding pass. Of course not "no, sir, every seat is booked on this flight"...okay thanks again, American. We now know the first phrase taught in American Airlines' customer service training sessions. <br /><br />Finally board the plane at 6:00 PM central time. I had a cinnamon pretzel at the airport, which was my first food since 11:45 AM at BDL. Will there be any snacks or food served, since we are flying right at dinner time? <br /><br />Notafuc$$*$(#chance. <br /><br />But I can buy half a chicken sandwich on a kaiser roll for $10.00, credit or debit card only. Or a stack of Lay's chips for $5.00. <br /><br />Uhhh. No thanks again, American. <br /><br />THEN the captain makes an announcement "our primary ______ (airflight control?) system is down, we will be flying on backup. Our protocol is for the co-pilot to go back into the cabin and check the function prior to takeoff." <br /><br />A collective groan erupted from the sardines packed into the aluminum tube at the mere thought of being unpacked and repacked. <br /><br />At American, apparently they have only the best, the oldest and most archaic planes in the sky. THEN the co-pilot walks back down the aisle WITH A FLASHLIGHT and shines it out of the porthole window on the wings on each side. <br /><br />Not exactly confidence inspiring. AT ALL.<br /><br />Finally we take off into the night sky. It got dark in about 10 minutes in Dallas. The Flatlanders song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqbjQgjofMk">Dallas</a>" pops into my head. And yes, the plane we are flying was probably the equivalent of a DC-9. <br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Lockheed_Super_Constellation_VH-EAG_1.jpg"><br />Hell, I have no doubt American would still be flying </a>Lockheed Super Constellations if the FAA would let em. <br /><br />Vegas bound. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/harris-emmylou/west-texas-waltz-5705.html">West-Texas-Waltzing</a> over the panhandle in the night sky. Not many lights down there. Or is is thar?<br /><br />(to be continued...)Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-1769894195111605072009-10-05T23:50:00.005-04:002009-10-06T00:11:49.809-04:00Ross Halfin Shoots Mott; Mott Lives!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ianhunter.com/images/cover_mo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 175px;" src="http://www.ianhunter.com/images/cover_mo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Really enjoying the heck out of genius/photographer <a href="http://www.rosshalfin.com/">Ross Halfin</a>'s blog...<a href="http://www.rosshalfin.com/diary/october-2009/diary-october-2009.php">some fantastic photos from the seven-show <a href="http://www.mottthehoople.com/">Mott the Hoople</a> reunion show</a> up there now! Looks like a smashing time, although Mick Ralphs might have raided the Tommy Bahama wardrobe one too many times.<br /><br />And check out sometime Pretenders/Mott pinch drummer Martin Chambers, looking a bit like a young Ginger Baker. If you've missed the shows, like I have, there is always the opportunity to buy the simulcasts<a href="http://www.concertlive.co.uk/tour.php?id=80"> there.</a><br /><br />All the not-quite-so-Young Dudes were in attendance, I suppose I will have to wait and see if I run into Mott mainman <a href="http://www.ianhunter.com/">Ian Hunter</a> at the Big Y in New Milford anytime soon. That's where the back cover of his latest album, Man Overboard, was shot, believe it or not. It's fantastic release on <a href="http://www.newwestrecords.com/">New West Records</a>, well worth picking up.Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-12655018678005895532009-03-16T09:41:00.000-04:002009-03-16T09:49:44.827-04:00Vinyl NumbersHere are Soundscam's ridiculously underreported vinyl numbers for 2008...at least it shows some interesting trends of who and what are selling on LP. <br /><br />Neutral Milk Hotel should be passing GNR any day now (*aka since Chinese Democracy tanked) for the 2009 chart...<br /><br /> <br /><br />2008 TOP TEN VINYL ARTISTS<br /><br />(based on vinyl album sales from 12/31/2007-12/28/2008) <br /><br /> Artist Units Sold <br />1 Radiohead 61,200 <br />2 Metallica 39,500 <br />3 Beatles 20,400 <br />4 Elliott Smith 17,800<br />5 Bob Dylan 15,200 <br />6 Portishead 15,100<br />7 Ryan Adams 14,000 <br />8 Coldplay 13,900 <br />9 Guns ‘N Roses 13,600<br />10. Neutral Milk Hotel 13,200Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-76109084145820440002009-02-09T10:00:00.001-05:002009-02-09T10:06:52.910-05:00Vinyl Takes Another Spin With Music Lovers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECRwZ-gpx5g4_sxYWkHm3We2kxlC5O7af3z8D8IwaliwlCwbd-jc9aUaze0Z4XAZ-JRDQBYjgaS4pmY640NmvUg25SyZU3tvNVVph9O6ZNF9CVNKsB52udGsWxbGobRYDGx65vURQqwU/s1600-h/44916188.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECRwZ-gpx5g4_sxYWkHm3We2kxlC5O7af3z8D8IwaliwlCwbd-jc9aUaze0Z4XAZ-JRDQBYjgaS4pmY640NmvUg25SyZU3tvNVVph9O6ZNF9CVNKsB52udGsWxbGobRYDGx65vURQqwU/s200/44916188.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300812891351923746" /></a><br /><br />Our friend Eric Danton had this great article in Sunday's <a href="http://www.courant.com">Hartford Courant</a><br /><br />By ERIC R. DANTON | The Hartford Courant<br />February 8, 2009 <br /><br />As album sales plummeted in 2008 for the seventh time in eight years, there was one bright spot for a music industry still in love with physical products: Sales of vinyl records increased by nearly 90 percent.<br /><br />That's right, they still make vinyl. Consumers bought almost 1.9 million new LPs last year, the most since Nielsen SoundScan started keeping track of such things in 1991. That's a mere fraction of the total music sold in 2008 — 1.5 billion units, which accounts for albums, singles, digital tracks and music videos. But it's a strong showing for a format thought to have begun its death spiral with the introduction of the compact disc 25 years ago.<br /><br />Actually, the dominance of digital music is part of what has sparked a resurgent interest in vinyl, say some in the music industry.<br /><br />"Ultimately, I think in some form it is a backlash against technology," says Jack Tieleman, who owns the small Canadian label<a href="http://www.lancerock.com/"> Lance Rock</a>. "There is something special about having to look after your purchase. Downloads and CDs do not have this quality. The consumer recognizes the value of the product and is willing to pay for it."<br /><br />Tieleman, whose label has put out vinyl editions of CD releases by country-noir singer Neko Case, stopped making compact discs five years ago to focus on LPs.<br /><br />It's not just indie labels that are keeping vinyl alive. EMI has been reissuing some of the most revered records on its Capitol and Virgin labels, including albums by the Beatles, Roxy Music and Radiohead, along with new albums by Brian Wilson and Glen Campbell.<br /><br />read the full article <a href="http://www.courant.com/entertainment/music/hc-vinylsound.artfeb08,0,7844069.story">here</a>Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-50636498382589346142008-10-12T19:58:00.000-04:002008-10-12T20:13:50.990-04:00WAA Presents: 33 1/3 The Art of Sound<style type="text/css">table.outerframe { width:30px;}</style> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="30" class="outerframe"><br /> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><br /> <a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=20725945&uid=768329"><b>Visit My Photos - 24 Pics</b></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td rowspan="3" valign="middle"><br /> <img src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/album/aurora_crimson_simple/small/left.gif" border="0" height="142" width="36" /></td><br /> <td><img src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/album/aurora_crimson_simple/small/top.gif" border="0" height="18" width="176" /></td><br /> <td><img src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/album/aurora_crimson_simple/small/top_corner.gif" border="0" height="18" width="18" /></td></tr><br /> <tr><td bgcolor="#dfdfdf" valign="middle"><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><br /> <tr><td align="center" valign="middle"><br /> <a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=20725945&uid=768329"><img src="http://www.picturetrail.com/misc/albumFrameImage/174x104/20725945/338100399.jpg" width="174" height="104" border="0" /></a></td></tr></table></td><br /> <td><img src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/album/aurora_crimson_simple/small/right.gif" border="0" height="106" width="18" /></td></tr><br /> <tr><br /> <td><img src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/album/aurora_crimson_simple/small/bottom.gif" border="0" height="18" width="176" /></td><br /> <td><img src="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/album/aurora_crimson_simple/small/bottom_corner.gif" border="0" height="18" width="18" /></td></tr><br /> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><b><a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=20725945&uid=768329">WAA Art Show </a></b></td></tr><br /> </table><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/mochibot/postit.swf" height="1" width="1" align="middle"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://pics.picturetrail.com/res/mochibot/postit.swf"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"><br /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="internal"><br /> <param name="quality" value="high"><br /> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><br /></object><br /><br /><br />I haven't had time to post much as I've been working on a very special art installation for the <a href="http://www.washingtonart.org/">Washington Art Association</a>, entitled 33 1/3: The Art of Sound.<br /><br />I didn't really know what to expect, as I've usually been asked to comment on music rather than art, but I'm very happy with the way it came out and the response has been absolutely overwhelming.<br /><br />Jaime Ferris, from the Litchfield County Times and New Milford Times, did an excellent feature that perfectly distilled the essence of the show.<br /><br />check out Jaime's article <a href="http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20149312&BRD=1655&PAG=461&dept_id=187795&rfi=6">here</a>.<br /><br />The show is scheduled to continue through October 26, so if you have a chance stop in and check it out.<br /><br />Hours and Directions<br /><br />HOURS<br />The public is always welcome to visit the Washington Art Association.<br />Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 to 5, Sundays 12 to 5. Closed<br />on Monday. For more infomation, please call WAA at <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1223856236_16">860-868-2878</span>, or contact us by e-mail.<br /><br />DIRECTIONS TO WAA<br />The Washington Art Association is located in Bryan Memorial Plaza in the<br />center of Washington Depot, CT across from the Washington Post Office.<br /><br />>From New Milford take Rt. 202 north to Rt. 109. Continue on Rt. 109, turning<br />right at T intersection, into Washington Depot. Turn right into Bryan<br />Memorial Plaza. WAA is at the end of the Plaza on the right.<br /><br />>From Southbury take exit 15 off of I-84, take Rt. 6 to Rt. 47 into<br />Washington Depot. Turn left into Bryan Memorial Plaza. WAA is at the end of<br />the plaza on the right.<br /><br />>From Roxbury take Rt. 67 to Rt. 47 into Washington Depot. Turn left into<br /> Bryan Memorial Plaza. WAA is at the end of the plaza on the right.<br /><br />> From Woodbury take Rt. 47 at Canfield Corners to Washington Depot. Turn left<br />into Bryan Memorial Plaza. WAA is at the end of the plaza on the right.<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonart.org/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1223856236_17">http://www.washingtonart.org/</span></a>Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287118239690931430.post-33488701077224948042008-05-12T08:16:00.000-04:002008-05-12T08:34:02.114-04:00Litchfield Musical Entities Jammin'<span style="font-weight:bold;"> By: Emily M. Olson<br />04/24/2008</span><br /><br />(from <a href="http://www.countytimes.com">The Litchfield County Times</a>)<br /><br />Three music lovers who were running their businesses separately for years <a href="http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19516278&BRD=2303&PAG=461&dept_id=478843&rfi=6">have joined forces</a> on Route 202 in Litchfield, and their combined efforts are quickly becoming a destination in town.<br /><br />Joe DiBlasi, owner of <a href="http://www.litchfieldpianoworks.com/">Litchfield Piano Works</a>, Scott Johnson, owner of <a href="http://www.bigjohnsonsguitars.com/shop/">Big Johnsons Guitars</a> and <a href="http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=19148378&uid=511084">ABC Music School</a>, and <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Phoenix-Records">Phoenix Records</a> owner Karl Uberbacher are all happily living under one roof. Mr. Johnson, whose business was formerly located in Torrington, moved into Mr. DiBlasi's building in February, followed by Mr. Uberbacher in early April. Phoenix Records, which was formerly located in the Litchfield Commons, has a sister store in Waterbury, a business Mr. Uberbacher has owned for a decade that features LP records, CDs and stereo systems, including turntables and speakers.<br /><br />Mr. DiBlasi, who owns the building, started his career as a piano repairman and professional tuner in 2003. He moved into part of the building in 2004, starting with four pianos. Today, there are more than 80 pianos in the expanded showroom adjacent to Big Johnson Guitars and the ABC Music School. He is also the top piano dealer in Connecticut.<br /><br />It was Mr. DiBlasi's dream to have a music center like this one, where people could come for tutoring, advice and instruments. "I started working on Scotty about five months ago, getting him to think about coming here," said the enthusiastic Mr. DiBlasi, leading visitors on a tour of the newly-renovated building with a huge smile on his face. "As soon as he came in here, he picked up so many students. A lot of the students who were [attending the Litchfield Music School, the previous tenant], came back when Scotty opened."<br /><br />"I feel so proud now," he added. "When people come in and they want a guitar, or they have questions, I say, 'Go see my friend Scotty.' It's just a natural progression to have us all together here. They're doing a wonderful job in the music store and the school ... and the record store is doing great."<br /><br />The successful piano salesman still tunes his favorite instrument-he's the tuner for the <a href="http://www.warnertheatre.org/">Warner Theatre</a> in Torrington and the <a href="http://www.palacetheaterct.org/">Palace Theater</a> in Waterbury, preparing pianos for the likes of <a href="http://www.bbking.com/">BB King</a>, <a href="http://www.nataliecole.com/">Natalie Cole</a>, <a href="http://www.tonybennett.net/">Tony Bennett</a> and Bobby Vinton before they take the stage. At Litchfield Piano Works, he sells pianos ranging in price from $1,200 to $50,000, as well as digital keyboards for various levels of skill. Among the brands he sells are <a href="http://www.youngchang.com/">Young Chang</a>, <a href="http://www.boesendorfer.com/">Bosendorfer</a>, Weber, Albert Weber and <a href="http://www.schimmel-piano.de/">Schimmel</a>, a handmade collection from Germany. The showroom is filled with the magnificent pianos, their keyboards gleaming, the benches inviting customers to sit and play.<br /><br />"Every time I sold a piano, I bought two more," Mr. DiBlasi said. "That's how I built the inventory."<br /><br />"He sells about 180 pianos a year," noted Mr. Johnson. "He is the piano man."<br /><br />Mr. Johnson, a longtime guitar player whose favorite instrument is a vintage Gibson, hired <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=41913892">Andrew Jamieson</a> of Harwinton to run the music school. Both businesses are growing in popularity by the day. "Almost as soon as we opened, a lot of the students came back," Mr. Jamieson said. "We've probably got about 70 now."<br />"It's a nice place. The building is great. We had to do a lot of work and a lot of cleaning," Mr. Johnson said. "When we were in Torrington, our biggest concern was that we wanted to have enough space to grow our business. We can do that here."<br /><br />Once the store was set up with an impressive display of name-brand used and new acoustic and electric guitars, as well as supplies, amps and other equipment, the partners set to work gutting and renovating the rear of the building and installing soundproof lesson rooms for students. The area is clean and bright, offering spaces for piano and guitar, mandolin and banjo lessons, as well as drum and vocal lessons. Band instrument lessons will be offered starting this summer. Professional pianists teach keyboards, and several of Mr. DiBlasi's pianos are part of the music school's repertoire of instruments available to the students. "All the music teachers have bachelor's degrees in their field of study," Mr. DiBlasi said. "Students can play on grand pianos for their lessons."<br /><br />"All our students get 10 percent off on their supplies, too," Mr. Johnson said. "I also deal in vintage, new and used guitars, and I carry about 12 brands, and we do repairs on site. Basically, anything anyone wants in the musical realm, I can get it or I have access to it."<br /><br />"We're all about the customer," he added. "We're not pushy. It's a laid back, relaxed atmosphere here. Customers really like that."<br /><br />If they walk down a short hallway to the rear of the building, customers will find Phoenix Records in its new home. "What you're looking at is a renovated garage. That's what it was, three weeks ago," Mr. Uberbacher said with a laugh. "It's got lots of space and there's plenty of light from the back. I'm getting used to not having an office, but there are lots of things I can do in here."<br /><br />Most of his inventory is LP records, or "vinyl" as the old-fashioned discs are sometimes called by collectors. Mr. Uberbacher has witnessed a renaissance of the LP in recent years, as well as the reinvention of turntable stereo systems. He sells a high quality line of equipment, and some of the better turntables are on display inside the store. His LP collection is varied and fun to peruse, with a bit of everything-rock, jazz, punk and blues, and everything in between. Mr. Uberbacher's Web sites, <a href="http://www.puretoneaudio.com">Puretoneaudio.com</a> and phoenixrecords on ebay.com, are where customers can learn more about his sound systems, record trade-ins and donations. He is a longtime collector himself.<br /><br />"I'd say the LP sales have increased by 40 percent in the past year or so. They're definitely making a comeback," Mr. Uberbacher said. "It's just better quality music. CDs were never meant to replace albums. They were made to replace tapes, and people don't realize the quality of the music they're missing by not hearing music on a record album."<br /><br />He is also happy in his new home, and said the place is "energizing."<br />"Just being able to play music on a turntable, in a nice space with like-minded people like Scott and Joe, it's has made a real difference for me," Mr. Uberbacher said, adding that the last two years in the Litchfield Commons were "difficult."<br />"It's just a good feeling here," he added. "I feel like I'm finally starting to relax."<br /><br />Litchfield Piano Works (860-567-5230, litchfieldpianoworks.com), Big Johnson Guitars and ABC Music School (860-618-2367, bigjohnsonsguitar.com, abcmusic.com) and Phoenix Records (860-361-9495) are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Sunday hours are by appointment.<br /><br />©Litchfield County Times 2008Puretone Audiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780766590764408860noreply@blogger.com0