About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone

Said mostly tounge-in-cheek Pat - fact is, I've already been corrupted beyond my ostensible comfort zone :-)

Speaking of which, should I laugh or cry to learn that you're off and running with tweaking the humble CDP? Next it'll be digital interconnects, jitter-boxes and power-conditioning! Forgive me Barb, I knew not what I've done!! (Alright, I won't be able to claim that after what I'm about to say next: I know from experience going the very same route, with the very same CDP, that upgrading to a dedicated transport makes at least as much difference as adding an outboard DAC. However, far be it from me to tell a man fighting cancer he should resist getting his kicks any way he damn well pleases! But do me a favor and simply give Barb the CDP with my apologies if things do progress out of control ;^)

I must give the DAC a try since it's free if it works well. Beyond that, nothing more except softward ocassionally. I did order some Bluejeans interconnects for both it and the tuner. Nothing special. Don't want this digital stuff to compete with my analog. ROTFLMAO.

I have been a Chiropractic Doctor for over 35 years and have had great suscess adjusting patients diagnosed with cancer. They continue live long and productive lives if they have their spine vertebra adjusted twice per month. I would not recommend this if I did not believein it so strongly. Chiropractically yours, D.C.

Pat, one of the the LPs I mentioned yesterday was by a gentleman named David Romaine. I'm at work so I don't have it right in front of me, but the title has something to do with gypsy violin something or other. There is a lovely gypsy looking woman on the front cover holding a violin.

I hope his name is enough to get you started. It was released onthe Mercury label.

Patrick, start your engines, you're off to the races! Now find that LP.

Thanks Nate!

Friday evening a friend who is on the board of directors for the Boise Philharmonic called and offered tickets for Barb and I to attend a performance last night. Barb adjusted her plans (Her mom and sis are here) so we could go together. What a thrill it was as it was our first time!

The program began with Malcolm Arnold's "English Dances" and moved to Max Bruch's "Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26" with Janet Sung at violin. Man, can this gal play the fiddle!!! After intermission we listened to Brahams' "Serenade No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11". I personally enjoyed the first half of the concert most, especially the Bruch piece. Forgive me for having an opinion here but I think Brahams would have better served the listener with a shorter composition.

Watching the musicians closely was interesting. I honestly believe they enjoyed playing the Brahams most, being more animated with their resulting body language.

Now that I've dusted off my tweed jacket and English driving hat I can load up my pipe and be hoity toity too. This Nebraska boy found his culture in Idaho. Seriously, I understand the strength of live classical music now much better than before. I have no way to honestly judge the overall preformance since I've never listened to any of the best known orchestras except through recordings. To my ears though Boise is blessed with a conductor, James Ogle, capable of bringing the best out of this fine group of musicians.

Many thanks to Glen for thinking of me. Like the post above from Nrchy recommending solo violin work Glen had likewise been asked about such recordings a few months ago. I guess it seemed the right fit for me to attend this particular concert because of the solo violin work. Certainly, if my situation were different I'd be purchasing tickets to every Boise Philharmonic concert this season. I enjoyed it that much.

On the system front I think I've done about everything I can to maximize its preformance. The dedicated lines have created a blacker background and after lifting the grounds on my amps the circuit/tube noise is almost non-existant. It is as quiet as any solid state system I've ever heard. I'm clearly hearing the weak links in my system now but they are not annoying in the least. I'll probably upgrade the power cords starting with the amps first as I think they (the amps) are the weakest link in the system. Nate has kindly agreed to bring some of his cast offs to RMAF and maybe we can come to terms on them. Then I'll be trying another power cord on my preamp if funds allow. FWIW, and sadly too, for the first time I'm hearing the deficiencies of my LP 12. I won't be changing out my turntable but I think I'll try the Trampolin suspension base. It is somewhat controvertial among Linnies. Reading between the lines I think it might bring some of the speed into playback that seems to be lacking now that I can hear it. Of course, opinions are always welcome. Please don't tell me to buy another table since it's clearly not in the budget even though I wish it were.

On the health front I've been really concerned all last week as to whether I'd be up to attending RMAF. Maybe my body is getting tired of the chemo schedule. I just don't know. Yesterday I felt better than I have for a week and this morning I seem to be feeling better yet. I am very motivated to go so I'll be there come hell or high water.

It's impossible to thank everyone that follows up with me through personal contact. I'd need to keep a log on the incoming phone calls and emails just to get started and I'm not nearly that organized by nature. I'd like to mention again the thoughtfulness of Gary who calls regularly and helps with issues I don't understand or forgot to cover with my oncologist. He also provides me with my most expensive monthly prescription free of charge. We've never met face to face but here he is, a surgeon with an obviously full life of his own taking the time to help me in any way he can. I've said this before but it needs to be burned into the consciousness of everyone that reads this. Lugnut cannot repay these kindnesses. I trust that through this thread there will live a spirit of passing it on. Caring about each other is powerful medicine for the soul.