Maybe Barb and I can come too. Is this the real deal Nate with Tom? I'll check with my wife to see if we can pull it off and hopefully coordinate with you guys.

lugnut October 09, 2005 14:22

Even though I'm a little behind the curve with Albert's system because I haven't had the benefit of listening with the tube crossovers my impressions are exactly as described by Mobileholmes. One needs to experience it.

Albert, I hope that once you get Louis' system dialed in you take the time to photograph it so it can be shared by all here. That room is one jaw dropping piece of art in itself. It's simply amazing.

See you this weekend.

lugnut September 25, 2005 14:39

Albert, I know it's unfair to ask you to do so but when you mount your new cartridge would you be kind enough to post initial thoughts on it out of the box? I'm very curious. Cartridge break in takes a fairly long time but I'm familiar with what to expect later on if you just give me a hint as to its performance when new. I think I can wrap my mind around it having heard your system myself previously although my audio memory doesn't enjoy the benefit of hearing your new tube crossovers.

I'd like to share a thought here but don't expect any type of response from you. While you and I have invested differently in our systems we strive for similar goals. Both of us seem to just like music and view our systems with pride but see them as the tools they truly are, a means to an end. We both have been avid record collectors from the sixties with you doing it a little longer due to the seven year age difference. Between the two of us we have nearly 80 years of fairly intense analog experience and have shared our findings generously. Myself with new initiates and somewhat unseasoned enthusiasts. You, with your vast knowledge have given help to everyone. I'm going to ramble a bit in this un-paragraph, so I ask the reader to just bare with me. I've heard Alberts system and it is sometimes impossible to tell if the stylus is in the groove. Honestly, that is the bulk of the time. With or without the benefit of audiophile pressings. The dynamic range *seems* to surpass digital and certainly simply destroys digital in detail, realism and soundstage. My much more humble front end with its pivot arm enjoys most of the advantages of yours but on a smaller scale. Records are so silent in the groove that seasoned digifiles are amazed and a few have stepped up to owning turntables themselves as result. Both of us are hands on guys. I'm more mechanical I think while you are more electronic but we both think a lot alike. I'm pretty sure if we compared notes of how many record cleaning products we have tried in our lifetimes and the different methods we have employed along the way we would have shared most of the same experiences. Okay, I'm getting to the point here and I think this is the perfect place to post it. There's no question in my mind at all that there are distractors to analog constantly lurking in these forums that enjoy a sick attempt at popping the bubbles of budding/seasoned vinyl lovers in regard to surface noise. It's scary but they seem to actually believe what it is they write although the most grievous of offenders admits to never having cleaned a record. Funny but when I read his posts he invested a ton of money in electronics to remove noise but never invested in a cleaning machine. Admits to not hearing anything that approaches SOTA analog. His list of turntables/tonearms and cartridges he's owned are of the kind that always seemed to enhance the negatives. All of this is a shame. My take on the audiophile community represented here is that most are professional people, buy their gear and follow the directions. Cleaning vinyl is one of the best places to make your own directions for greatest benefit and the beauty is the hard work has been done for you. Let me state up front that to become a professional takes so much time that also becoming a mechanical/electrical wizard seems impossible. I have great respect for doctors, lawyers and other highly educated folks. The only point I'm trying to make here is that those struggling with surface noise need to listen to seasoned pros like yourself and ignore the naysayers. Your thread is so popular approaching 400 posts it seems appropriate to assume you have around 10,000 hits. I'm trying to insert some hard earned help to the 9,600 folks that read this thread rather than get into the tired old fights with the naysayers. Forgive me if this post is over the top and maybe similar comments have been made elsewhere before. My intentions are good in that I'd just like to see folks enjoy analog if they are moved to try it. It need not break the bank.

See you at RMAF.

lugnut September 17, 2005 14:42

Albert,

I'm thrilled! Have the dynamics you previously experienced with your tape machine been equaled by the Walker now? If so, then the tapes should really be incredible. This is exciting stuff. Congrats.

lugnut June 30, 2005 13:24

Man, I'm glad we didn't get to that last part.

lugnut June 07, 2005 16:44

Okay guys, here's the deal. Vetterone and I just returned from Dallas last night. What a hoot! I don't think I can adequately convey in words how much fun we had with Albert. You simply could not ask for a better host. From the get go it felt like we were all old friends. To my great surprise Albert had two other Audiogon members, Nrchy and Cello, come as well. Great systems, good food, old cognac, several record stores, introduction to wonderful, "new to me" music and male bonding of the best kind was the outcome of this trip.

While this thread does a very accurate job of explaining the extent Albert has gone to in regard to system set up and tweaking I wasn't prepared for taking it all in at once. Sure, I could mentally process all of this information but within minutes it became clear to me that each of the tweaks he's done were not subtle. We're talking about pushing the envelope of product development like an audiophile equipment manufacturer would do but within the confines of a consumers home. As much as I tried to prepare myself for what I knew would be a black background, my preparations fell short. With the huge number of tubes in use I figured there would be some artifact of circuit noise but there wasn't. It was uncanny how the music just emerged from space.

A few things that are really important to me were evident. First, the comfort level of the room could be felt when we first stepped into the house. This is a room that makes you feel at home; an extension of Albert's personality. The software quality and abundance is as good as it gets, period. Most importantly it IS about the music. The system is simply a vehicle for enjoying what it's all about. Also, no matter the quality of the software thrown at this system it delivers an enjoyable presentation. This may be the biggest virtue I experienced.

I've had the pleasure to know other folks like Albert involved in different passions apart from audio. If one wants to accelerate to 300 mph in 1320 feet then by necessity you must build a car that will do so. If you desire to catch the grandmother of all trout you not only need to match the hatch but be able to cast into a place few can hit with pinpoint accuracy. Albert is the Tiger Woods of audio. John Force and Tiger Woods might be great with what they do but Albert devoted four days of his life to his guests and did it with passion. Thanks for being my friend Albert. These are memories I'll cherish.

My Kenner pocket DNA test kit wasn't put to use on the stains Nate was worried about. I dunno how this was cleared up between the two of them and I didn't want to ask.

Thanks to everyone that came too as well as the local Dallas guys that invited us into their homes. Louis and Dennis were wonderful hosts that put the icing on the cake.

lugnut June 07, 2005 13:37

Nate,

I'm looking forward to going there more than I can convey with words. I've been burning both ends of the candle all month and really feel it. I may have to keep a blowtorch in my back pocket to prevent a flame out at Alberts but it's what I want to do. According to my hero IT IS better to burn out than to fade away.

I'll be bringing my Kenner pocket DNA test kit along to check out those stains you're accused of leaving behind. This might result with you getting a return invite to the Magical Kingdom of Analog for a spell.

Albert, I read your cryptic email at about 2:30 am through an audio-evening, analog-induced, red eye haze. It took me about five minutes to get it. This gave a small taste of the killer sense of humor you're notorious for. Can't wait to see you in person!

lugnut May 27, 2005 15:48

Eat your hearts out guys! Albert has been kind enough to entertain Steve Dobbins (Vetterone) and myself for a couple of days. This should happen sometime in June. Man, I can't wait. If I wore panties and had the right equipment, they would be wet.

Albert, I love the new images. Very comfortable environment indeed and especially considering the size of scope of your equipment it blends in very well with the decore. An incredible amount of thought went into everything. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

We're really looking forward to our visit and thank you in advance for such a treat.

lugnut April 27, 2005 13:23

I've intentionally not followed this thread for awhile knowing that I would experience several emotions at once and not being prepared to go through that for personal reasons. Albert, it's absolutely thrilling to see and read about the changes you've made. Audiophiles are an interesting lot ranging from gear heads to music lovers. The regular posters to THIS thread are some of my very favorite people at Audiogon. Albert, you exhibit more of the finest attributes involved in this hobby than any other poster I'm aware of. I'm so very happy for you kicking it up a notch but I'm also sure it is about about the music!

I really, really wanted to go to CES this year, more to meet the many online friends I've made than to enjoy the gear. Newer, better gear can make ones system sing but friends make your heart sing which is sweeter than any music I can think of. Look for me next year but watch out. I'll be easy to spot. Too much enthusiasm and not nearly enough knowledge.

Tom, can you arrange a side trip through Boise on your way back from the show? I promise a place for Magnum to chew on my camera gear. But, I'd really enjoy it if he chewed on my two cats. Is your arm twistable?

This thread is technically way over my head but I'm sure my ears are perfectly capable. Congrats Albert. You're still the man!

Patrick

lugnut December 05, 2004 15:06

Mcne,

If I ever needed to go under the scapel again I'd prefer you do the job. Speaking of doctors, my oncologist, who I had a 16 year relationship with died a couple of years ago. He was the single finest human being I've ever known. The world is a lesser place without him but reading your post renews my hope. Bless you for your attitude. And, yeah, Albert is one quality guy.

Patrick

lugnut August 25, 2004 21:59

Albert,

What I really like about you (and it comes through in your posts) is that you are a real music lover. I said everything meaningful about your system in my first post to this thread.

Patrick

lugnut November 28, 2003 04:13

You the man! I am humbled.
Patrick

lugnut May 30, 2002 03:36