Sunday, April 29, 2012

Weekend Update.

I've really been enjoying the Pioneer SX-1010, and am confident that it will be my go to amp for the foreseeable future. Without amps to worry about, I've been listening primarily to the Rogers Studio 1s and Mission 770 Freedom Vs.I like both very much and could live happily with either, though I find the Missions a bit more lively. I just got a pair of JBL L40s in beautiful condition. It's always good to have a pair of JBLs in house, and this is a 10 inch 2 way system from 1979, with a conventional looking fabric dome tweeter, made by JBL. I believe it was one of their first systems using that technology, instead of the LE-25 type paper tweeter. They sound great. Pictures tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Cool Site.

I was flattered to get a shout out from A Time to Get, a cool site by Nicholas Maggio, a very interesting photographer, who discovered vintage audio, and gets it.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Just arrived. Pioneer SX-1010 receiver. Wow!

This was the top of the line in 1975. It was the first shot in the 'monster receiver' wars of the seventies. It was $700 canadian when new, which would be around $3,900 today (by my crude calculation). Rated at 100 watts/channel, this model regularly bench tests at over 120 watts/channel. It's the biggest receiver I've ever had, the first with a 5 gang tuner. It weighs 50 pounds! I'll have pictures tomorrow, weather permitting. It is one of the best sounding pieces I've had the pleasure of owning, and I'm enthralled by it's power and musicality. It's driving the Rogers Studio 1s with authority, like it won't accept anything less than all the music.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Funky, funky Sunday.

This James Brown tribute, recorded last fall at Koerner Hall in Toronto is from the incredible archive of streaming and legally downloadable concerts recorded by, and broadcast on, CBC Radio.
Enjoy this, and dive into what's available. You'll be amazed.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Fried Angels.

If you're looking to ditch the stiffness of this holiday weekend for a few hours, come to Grossmans Tavern, Torontos home of the blues, and check out this fabulous band, risen from the ashes of Crosseyed Cat, with much better bass playing, and 2 excellent guitarists.