About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone

Hey guys,

Well, I did it. I ordered the TAD signature preamp and a ZYX R100H Yatra cartridge. This should be a significant step up for me. I realize I'm not soaring with the eagles here but I bet I get more bang for the buck than most.

Thank you guys for the words of encouragement. I worry about being too open in this thread and turning folks off. Maybe I'm just caught up in this situation and want so badly for others to gain something from this, my loss. Sometimes it is very difficult. Your continued support does lift me up and carry me on to the next moment of enjoyment.

I'll be baaaaack.

Hey Pat;

I have been following this thread for some time now. It got me to the Doctor for some ot those routine tests....the kind Warren Zevon admitted he didn't bother with.

This whole thing is scary; still...thanks for the dose of reality. Maybe others hereabouts will get themselves away from the computer and the easy listening room and off to the doctor.

Lots of love and encouragement,

JEFF

Keep us posted on your impressions of your new gear Pat.

We're interested to hear how everything is coming together.

Also, please try to hang in there.
I'm sure it's tough.

Hey Jeff,

Twice now, I've gotten cancer. Both times I went to doctors early on and was persistent about what I knew were not normal symptoms. Both times the physicians didn't take me seriously which delayed things too much. Early detection is an accident. This proves life is what it is.

Tom,

I'm excited about my purchases. We're not talking a lot of money here so if it kicks things up a few notches I'm a happy camper. Barb's excited too because she likes the sound of the old AI tube preamp but really likes the remote of the solid state stuff. Maybe I've hit on the right combination for her, and me. The ZYX cartridge is an experiment in a way. Others I've known respect the performance of the model I purchased but have moved onto the Universe. I doubt whether the Universe needs to be promoted because at that level and price point there is a lot of interaction between high end purchasers. The lower price models have much of the magic of the Universe and I'm hoping that in lesser systems like mine they offer the best performance for the money. I'll be posting my thoughts on this after break in and I'll use at least three preamps to try and be honest in my evaluation. They are ugly though, IMO. LOL

On a side note I bought some of Paul Speltz anti-cables just to play with. My intentions have been to find gear whose performance far exceeds the cost so that we can help get some young blood in this hobby without mortgaging their sperm bank. I took them over the Steve's house yesterday and inserted them into his system. They are stunning. Cost to performance ratio is so high on these that they deserve an award of some sort. Honest.

I sent an email to Pat after he shared a very insightful and love felt comment to me on another thread. I thanked him for sharing his love that had clearly come from his sole. I’m not going to go too deep into my impression of soles and God, but I am going to now publicly thank Pat for his love and honesty. He told me about this thread which I just now first read, now I understand this sole’s love and clarity.
I too have had to contemplate the meaning of life and my mortality. Not until one faces death do we truly understand the meaning of our lives. LOVE! That’s it.
I have now lived three years longer than the worst case scenario as was described after my heart attack and quadruple bi-pass eight years ago. I have gone to sleep with issues most forty year olds do not ever think of. “Is this my last night?” “Will I be alive tomorrow?” After eight years of these thoughts, my perspective is different than many. But not Lugnut. He understands, and he has been honest enough to share that.
I now am told I have less than one year, as my heart is now less than 20% efficient. We pray for a heart transplant when the time comes.
But that’s not even my point, my point is LOVE. When I had awoke from my surgery and discovered I had a near death experience and “saw the light” as referred to by many who have had near death experiences. From that time I have known I have more to do here on earth, for I was offered the choice to come back here, or stay home with God. I do not remember why I choose this path, but I do. I believe I’m here to share, love and help other soles who may be searching.
Again I do not want to steel the point of this thread, or sound like I am preaching for that is not at all my intent. My intent is to share my sole, and my love for an old Audiogon friend, and let you know what you already clearly know. It’s ok, and yes we can make a difference here on earth.
My purpose, as is yours, is to share, care and love. We are alive because we have something few can give the knowledge that our soles are all one, and the secret to life is LOVE, love yourself, and love every soul you meet, for to love another soul is to in-fact love yourself.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to write an as yet unpublished book to help share my experiences with all those who would listen. I never considered Audiogon as an outlet. but you have shone me every friend made is another soul who may learn.
Thank you Lugnut for your love and friendship.
J.D.