I love hearing about you guys making the upgrades and enjoying the fun ride doing so. My most recent upgrade, turntable/tonearm/cartridge, nearly 5 months ago, has been a complete joy. New speakers are estimated to arrive about late June. Ultimately, I will upgrade my phono stage, too. Lots of fun, but very expensive doing these upgrades.
B.B King - Deuces Wild Geffen/UMe This is a great double LP album with special guest star musicians for each song. SQ is really good, too.
Love - Forever Changes Reissue, Warner Music Group, made in Germany. So nostalgic, so good, and very good SQ.
Jethro Tull - A Passion Play I got this when it first came out, in 1973. Hard to believe I have had it for 49 years and it is still perfect. That was just after my first real hi-fi system so it has always been played on a good TT and cartridge. Great album, love it, and it sounds quite good.
Pretenders - S/T Nautilus Super Disc. Fantastic album of music, but disappointing SQ. Maybe the original recording was just so-so and this was the best that Nautilus could do. I have had this since, I believe, 1982.
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@tgilb I also have a very early pressing A Passion Play, it sounds really good, always has. You got me thinking to play it in the next few days.
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@bdp24 Thanks so much for the information. I checked Vinyl Me Please and they are sold out. On Discogs the original is available. The club issues are the most expensive and the Pitman pressing and Monarch pressing are much more reasonable. Do you have any idea if either of those pressings are better, one over the other? I found a Pitman pressing in NM condition for just $20.
Let me know, if you can.
Thank you.
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Albert King - Blues For Elvis Wonderful music, but fairly thin SQ.
Poco - Legend MoFi Original Master Recording, fantastic album and the SQ is quite good. Only complaint is that it is the early MoFi issues so a bit of a "smily" EQ on the mastering.
The Doobie Brothers - Livin' On The Fault Line This is a very early pressing and is in NM condition. Great SQ and is the best sounding of the 3 today. Fantastic album from The Doobies.
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Back from Mammoth Mountain. Awesome Spring ski days! I have to wait 6 months to ski again. Damn! Switching over now to fishing, hiking, and of course, more music on the high-fidelity system 😊
Diana Krall - The Look Of Love A truly beautiful album of music.
Carole King - Tapestry MoFi Original Master Recording. I can see how there is room for some improvement, though not much. The 1Step should be great. Enjoy it, Steve.
Basie Jam I listened to this last week and had to play it again. I think that I need to get the following two albums; Basie Jam 2 and 3. This one is so good that it makes sense to have the entire set.
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Acoustic Sounds Series, and so well done.
Robert Plant / Alison Krauss - Raise The Roof
Next up, the NBA game and then some more music to follow.
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Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus Mono, and it is wonderful! AP/QRP Prestige Records reissue.
Lightnin' Hopkins - Goin' Away AP/QRP Prestige Records reissue. I am totally amazed at what they were able to put on tape back then, and even more amazed at how all that can be made today in such a high quality of sound reproduction.
The Crusaders - Chain Reaction MoFi Original Master Recordings. Ordered this last week and it arrived today. NM condition and a very fair price of $29
I'm heading to Mammoth Mountain in the morning. My last hurrah for the ski season. I'm pleasantly surprised there is enough snow on the upper mountain to still be skiing. Only good through the end of May, though. Have a good time spinning vinyl.
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My copy shows GAIN2 Ultra Analog.
Jim, that is too funny😂
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Just a guess, but I would bet that MoFi used the same mastering as when they released it as an Original Master Recording, and then pressed it via the 1Step process. It should be a bit quieter and possibly just a little more dynamic range. Just a guess, but probably not far off of reality.
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My typing wasn't so good. I typed MoFo rather than MoFi. And "Are your comparing your..." rather than "Are you comparing your..." Let's see, Saturday and a glass of wine, and hmmmm... LOL!
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My copy of Snow Goose is an original and it's just so-so in SQ. Not bad, but nothing special.
Steve, I have copy of Carole King Tapestry that is the MoFo Original Master Recording. It's really, really good! Are your comparing your new 1Step to that, as well?
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James and Steve, I got a spindle hole reamer about 2 months ago. Mine is a Clearaudio. Expensive but very well made and feels good in the hand. I never had the need for one, but my Dr. Feickert Blackbird has a spindle that seems to be just too snug for some albums. The reamer does the trick. Tools and tweaks, they will never end...
Steve, my speakers are also 4 ohm rated but I know they dip well below 2 ohm. I use the 4 ohm taps on the amp and that sounds better than the higher taps. I look forward to my forthcoming speakers. They have a very tight impedance curve, nearly flat at 6 ohm up and down the audio spectrum, and are 96db sensitivity. Those will be a really good pairing with my amp. It's been a long wait and in April I was advised that late May or sometime in June is the likely ship date.
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Yeah Steve, I found the tube amp change to my system gave that same aspect. However, I also found that it takes a full three sides of albums until it sounds its best. The solid state amp only took two sides. LOL, an easy price to pay!
The Cars - Candy-O A great album and a great album cover.
Gregg Allman - Laid Back Reissue by AP/QRP, what great music and what a great pressing.
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@big_greg Thank you for the good description of that Crusaders album. I have wanted that for years but never got around to finding one. With your description I logged on to Discogs and found a MFSL NM copy for $29.99 There were others for much more, but this particular seller described the album has appearing never to have been played. It's a MFSL limited edition so the best price is the one that got my purchase. Thanks again.
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Basie Jam - Pablo Records, man, this is a great album!
Paul Simon - One Trick Pony
The system was sounding especially nice today. Great music for an afternoon. Now I'm on to both NBA games for the night.
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Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Session AP/QRP 45rpm. This is just what the title suggests, a live (studio) recording with Albert having Stevie sitting in when Stevie was a young up & coming star. Very cool session, no doubt.
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@dayglow
That's what I remember, too. But it sure sounded poor today. It was the first album I played, and there is a warm-up time for the tubes to sound better. But this was worse than that. Maybe something on the stylus? I always clean the stylus after every 2 or 3 albums sides. I'll run it through the Degritter again, be sure to have a clean stylus, and try once more. Please let me know your opinion after playing your copy. It's a great album and I'm hoping for the best. I appreciate it very much. Thanks.
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Men At Work - Business As Usual Rather thin sounding SQ. I remember this sounding better back when it was new. Different times, different system, and who know why else...
Zubin Mehta conducts L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra - Suites from Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. MFSL Original Master Recording. Very entertaining!
The B-52's - S/T This is a really fun album. The bass lines are great!
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I have that B-52s album and it's in perfect condition. I bought it when it first came out. I also have the follow up album, Mesopotamia. Both are excellent recordings, and the music is really fun. I'll have to give them a spin sometime soon.
In my previous house, before marriage and kids, those albums were a blast played very loud. I had a stack of Accuphase components with two P-300 power amps, bi-amped into Infinity RS-2.5 speakers. Lit up the neighborhood! A couple of my neighbors didn't appreciate that system quite as much as I did.😂
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Thanks Steve, and I believe that you are absolutely correct.
Should be about 30 to 45 days from now. Really looking forward to that!
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John Klemmer - Barefoot Ballet
Robert Plant / Alison Krauss - Raise The Roof
Muddy Waters - Folk Singer AP/QRP 45rpm. It's like you're in the studio!
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My copy of Are You Experienced arrived last week, but I have not yet played it. I always had the stereo version so I am accustom to the one-channel of Jimis' voice on those cuts. Still dealing with and nursing our dog; he's not doing well and struggling, but I just can't make the call yet as his mind is still so good. Soon, though!
I haven't played my hi-fi for some time now. Maybe later today. As always, I get ideas of what to play directly from this thread. You guys are the best!
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@j_husker Thanks for the good tip on Etta James, "At Last". I have wanted that album and with a little research found that the Jackpot reissue (that you have) is mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed at RTI. The other reissues are on labels where I have no idea what the SQ would be like. I believe that I can trust Kevin and RTI. I just placed my order.
I've been skiing at Mammoth Mountain most of last week. My wife stayed home to help our ailing dog. He got worse while I was away. It will be a difficult time next week as we most likely will have to put him down. I haven't turned on my hi-fi since returning from skiing. Just hanging with our dog and comforting him. Music tonight, I need some of that.
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@dayglow
Your reviews are both inspirational and helpful. I can't thank you enough. Enjoy the music and your entire vinyl collection.
Some '80s today...
The FIX - Reach The Beach A very respectable recording and rather quiet vinyl.
Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair Great album of '80s music, as is the album listed above. A good recording and pressing, too.
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ELO - Face The Music Very early pp I have had since back in the day. sounds pretty good and a great album. ELO has been on this thread a bit recently so had to pull this copy and play it.
Dianna Krall - The Look Of Love I received this two weeks ago and played it only once. Time to play it again. Outstanding recording and pressing. Excellent music. Just sit back and relax. Beautiful!
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@slaw
Hey Steve, please provide a quick review of the Patricia Barber album, "Higher". Musical quality as well as sonic quality. Impex typically does a fabulous job at producing a quality product, of course, but I am interested in the musical quality as well.
Thanks much.
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@spiritofradio
I have just one REL sub (S/812) and find it to do exactly what you describe. I would love to have two of these subs but physical space and room layout does not permit. My settings are very low, about 40hz, and around 10:00 o'clock on the level/gain. It's just right with bass slam directly from the middle when the recording calls for it.. And deep bass in a big open area when the recording calls for it.
The more I have improved the system over the past year I have found needing to lower the crossover setting and reducing the gain. It's about right, now. However, I tend to believe that after my new speakers arrive (still about 7 weeks out) and are fully broken in I will need to lower crossover by about 5hz. We shall see, or, hear.
Enjoy your latest setup.
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Jim, thanks for asking. It's a looooooong build-to-order process. About 8 to 9 weeks still to go (including shipping time). Really looking forward to them. Should have some pictures fairly soon, once the inlays are completed.
Enjoy your new subwoofer. Really nice stuff!
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Lou Rawls - All Things In Time Thanks to dayglow for giving this an Audiophile SQ rating. It's a wonderful album and it sounds great!
Dave Mason - It's Like You Never Left slaw played this the other day and that gave me the thought to play my copy. Very nice album.
Procol Harum - Broken Barricades I just can't get enough of this album. Robin Trowers' guitar playing signature is so strong on this. So sorry that Gary Brooker passed away a couple of months ago.
ELO - Eldorado MoFi issue on Supervinyl. This is an excellent album from ELO and MoFi certainly did it justice. My copy arrived yesterday. Someone stated here the other day that the bass is a bit heavy, or thick, or something like that. I tend to agree but I also believe that is the sound character ELO wanted and is part of what this album is. I did find that turning the subwoofer down one click made for a better listening experience, though. The vinyl is superb! I wish that my entire collection was as quiet as this vinyl compound.
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Awesome Brian! Enjoy them in good health.
Steve, glad to have passed along my recommendation on that album. It really is a treat to listen to.
John Klemmer - Barefoot Ballet I know, I know..."smooth jazz" Hey, I like the album. And back in the day, you play this with a girl over to the house and it's a guaranteed good night (wink, wink)😁
John Lee Hooker - It Serve You Right To Suffer Analogue Productions 45rpm. Now this is a heck of an album. Just amazing! AP/QRP is fabulous in what they do.
Jeff Beck - Truth MoFi Gain 2 Ultra 45rpm. I bought this last year as a limited issue, #2,074/5,000. I think that MoFi did a bit of a smiley face in their mastering of this album. Too bad, because the retrieval of musical information is definitely greater than what I hear on my early period press. And the grade of vinyl is vastly superior. But I think the tonal character on my older album is better.
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Talking Heads - Speaking In Tongues
Muddy Waters - Folk Singer Analogue Productions 45rpm. WOW!
These two albums are about as diverse as it gets. Interesting way to spin some today.
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Blew the rest of my April vinyl budget wad today. I bought the Jimi Hendrix UHQR.
That album was instrumental in my growing up years, since the day it came to market. If I didn't buy it while still available I would regret that for all my years remaining. I won't miss the money come May. But I will be able to enjoy the album, in its best possible sonic ability, for all my years remaining.
I have life stories that center around that album. But I'll leave them alone for now.
Michael Franks - Tiger In The Rain Direct Disc Labs, an excellent issue!
Dave Mason - Alone together Again I have the original and just had to get this issue when it was released. Dave did a stellar job bringing to market this 2021 rendition of the very same album.
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Yes, I agree on those harmonies. That album will be out this year on OneStep. I have it on preorder and really look forward to it.
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First watched a movie last night. Didn't get to that Hendrix 'Axis' album but will sometime this week.
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
David Crosby - If I Could Only Remember My Name 50th Anniversary Edition, been listed here lately so felt compelled to play it again. Sonic excellence!
Gino Vannelli - Powerful People MFSL issue, perfect condition, I have owned it since first released. This is a real sonic adventure. Musically it's fantastic, but sonically it's stunning. If you don't have this in your collection I strongly recommend getting a copy. On Discogs I see several MFSL copies rated NM/M- going for $20, $25, and $30.
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I have very early pressings of Face The Music and A New World Record. I love them both, musically, and sonically they are pretty darn good. I never owned Eldorado but should probably get it on MFSL 33rpm while it's still available. Darn it, tgilb, you just made me tap into the monthly vinyl budget early in the month. That's a good thing, though.😃
I bought Axis Bold As Love a couple of years ago, the reissue that's the Authorized Hendrix Family Edition. It's pretty good. I bought the album when it first came out in 1967 but that was thrashed during high school years. I bought it again in 1973, just out of high school and after getting my first real hi-fi. Therefore, it's a fairly early repress. I didn't realize that I had it in excellent condition when purchasing the Hendrix Family Edition a couple of years ago. In the Degritter it goes and I will play it later, tonight. Should be some fun for a Saturday night.
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@j_husker That is a beautiful story. Enjoy the music for that reason, among others.
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Welcome back to vinyl, Steve. And just plain, welcome back! You deserve some time to relax. Enjoy the weekend with all of your latest vinyl acquisitions.
Digging deep back today...
Frank Zappa - Apostrophe (') "watch out where the huskies go..." From my college years, and some wonderful memories.
Blood Sweat & Tears - Child Is Father To The Man My original copy was very well worn so in 2020 I bought this reissue from Music On Vinyl. They did a great job. Quiet vinyl and the entire process is quite good. My favorite from BS&T.
Jethro Tull - Stand Up The Steve Wilson remaster. I have been craving this for months and finally got to spinning it today. Just a wonderful album from start to finish.
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Procol Harum - S Salty Dog The next album after having listened to Home, yesterday. Really good music and very well done production. A bit noisy vinyl but very tolerable.
Joan Armatrading - S/T One more time before filing it. Awesome album! Superb SQ.
The Motels - Little Robbers Been listening to the first album, S/T, lately. This is the next in progression. Really well done SQ and vinyl quality.
Tears For Fears - The Seeds Of Love Has that '80s sound, but still quite good. Really good '80s music, very good SQ, and a great pressing.
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Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland Reissue by the Jimi Hendrix Company. I need to clean my original and compare. Though they say on the album sticker that it was produced from the original master tapes, this reissue sure sounds digital to my ears.
Procol Harum - Home From 1970 so it was played on my parents Magnavox console, a few years before I got my first real high fidelity music system. A bit of vinyl noise (actually, quite a bit) but wonderful music. You can certainly hear Robin Trower on this one.
Jennifer Warnes - Another Time, Another Place Impex sure knows how to produce a quality piece of vinyl. Music is very good, but not her best.
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@reubent Tom, I wasn't aware that you are a skier. Right on, dude! I have been skiing for 49 years and have only missed 2 seasons (due to injury and my mother's dying process). Welcome back, glad you are safe and spinning some vinyl. Another great pleasure in life.
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Diana Krall - The Look of Love Verve records, excellent recording and pressing. Beautiful music to relax the night away (last night).
Boz Scaggs - Dig A wonderful album, some of his best written music. A bit of a "modern" recording sound, though. But the bass is really good. Deep and strong. Vocals are absolutely dead-center, locked in.
Both of these albums arrived yesterday. I'll be listening to them a few more times, very soon.
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Emitt Rhodes - Mirror Since we have been talking about Emitt I thought to pull this one from my collection. I bought this as a Senior in high school. Still in excellent condition.
Gregg Allman - Laid Back Analogue Productions reissue. Big difference in SQ after playing Emitt.
Joan Armatrading - S/T I just love Joan...
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Today I listened to...
Manfred Mann - Watch This album has a better SQ than my copy of Roaring Silence. Both are excellent music.
Frank Zappa - Over-Nite Sensation I bought this new in 1973 and it is still in perfect condition. Great music and a great recording. Love it!
Ben Webster meets Oscar Petersson Analogue Productions 45rpm reissue Verve Records. It's really amazing the sonics they accomplished in the recording studio, way back in the early 60s.
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I too have the Emitt Rhodes album, having purchased it when it first released. I don't know anyone who even heard of him other than from this group of music lovers. Very cool that bdp24 played with Emitt, live on stage. Good for you!
Manfred Mann - The Roaring Silence I sure wish it was done in audiophile SQ. But still, very good, nonetheless.
Procol Harum - Broken Barricades I just love this album.
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@noromance I just love the pool que air guitar. I can see it now...
No hi-fi today. However, that will be a reality tomorrow.
You guys are just great and make my day.
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Steve, I got that Robert Cray album, Analogue Productions, about 1 1/2 years ago. It's quite good, musically of course, and the AP issue for sure.
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Steve, face it, you are an addict. But it's a really good addiction. Enjoy them all.
After a movie tonight with my wife, this is what I have on deck for the turntable.
Annie Lennox - Diva Just got this and have listened to it once. Have to play it again. What a fabulous voice she has and what a great album.
The Motels - S/T Got this about 6 weeks ago. Love it, just awesome. Have to play it again before filing it with my other Motels albums.
Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason, 45rpm reissue. Seems like that will be a wonderful way to end the evening before bedtime. Just float upstairs and drift to sleep.
Enjoy the music tonight, all.
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Brian, all I can think of (also, a newbie in the world of tubes) is there is a mismatch. Maybe they were well matched to begin with, but over time one of them lost its potential and the other was just fine. Tubes are best when purchased in pairs or quads (depending on one's need) and after being tested and matched by the seller. I know that Upscale Audio does that and most likely so do other quality tube sellers. Anyway, that is my best guess.
Got back from Mammoth Mountain last night. A fabulous week of skiing.
Atlanta Rhythm Section - A Rock And Roll Alternative
Annie Lennox - Diva Man, this is a wonderful album, both musically and sonically.
Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - 2 disc set, 45rpm Analogue Productions. This is a piece of musical history. And WOW, is it great!
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Roger Daltrey - Ride A Rock Horse
ELP - Works I wish they had done a better job mastering/plating/pressing this album. The music is wonderful but the record & vinyl quality is just OK. Not horrible, but could be better.
Both of these albums I have had since they first released. I'm getting older...
Heading to Mammoth Mountain in the morning, skiing for the rest of the week. Enjoy the music, guys.
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@reubent +1 and well spoken.
John Mayall - Blues From Laurel Canyon Probably my favorite Mayall album, musically. Too bad the production quality is not that great. And mine is a UK pressing.
Fleetwood Mac - Kiln House Reissue from "A Fleetwood Mac Production". They did a nice job on this reissue. The music brings back memories from high school.
Eric Clapton - Unplugged A fantastic album and a rather good "live" recording. I got the CD when it first came out but had no idea it was also released on vinyl. Because of this thread I learned that, and bought it. Much better sounding than the CD. May "What's On Your Turntable Tonight" live on...
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@1happyman
I am not certain if I have seen you post here in the past. If not, welcome to this wonderful and enjoyable thread. You will learn of many great musical recordings, some with good SQ, some with not so good SQ, and some with excellent SQ. We often report on that but always the main interest is the music itself. And your posting name, 1happyman, is THE BEST! Please continue to join in the fun.
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