mwilson

Responses from mwilson

Cat-proofing your speakers...
You can get glue-on soft-plastic caps for cat claws. They periodically shed with the claws as they grow out, but for a scratcher, it's a good solution that's a lot safer and more humane than de-clawing, and it's not permanent. They last a few week... 
any laptop has spdif output?
Some PC laptops do, sure. For example, I have seen a Dell Inspiron (1720, other models may have similar) that could take an optional ($35 or so) multimedia cable header that included a coaxial S/PDIF RCA output. This hooked up to a built-in multif... 
90 degree angle banana plug?
WBT and Dayton Audio(Parts Express) make them too, I'm sure there are lots of choices out there. 
rogue dronus magnum issues
I think you're describing a bridge rectifier. I had a similar problem with Rogue M120 monoblocks - the bridge rectifiers were undersized for the current that was going through them, and were cooking one of the wires. Under guidance from Mark from ... 
Funk Essentials - Under The Radar
Adding to an already great list:BrickJimmy Castor Bunch 
What I learned on Audiogon This Year
I'd like to add that it's always the room's fault (whether it is or not). 
Canada Rocks: 70s lost lps pt 2...
FM (also see "Nash the Slash"), and Frank Marino/Mahogany Rush are two contemporaries that immediately come to mind given your list. Saga's debut LP is one of my favorites. A lot of great metal and hard rock from up there as well. 
McCormack TLC-1 Deluxe Remote
Try smcaudio.com. SMC audio is Steve McCormack. "McCormack" brand is now owned by Conrad Johnson, and your TLC-1 predates the CJ era. 
Anyone Make Budget Flat Speaker Cable?
Third the Radio Shack flat cable recommendation. I have no idea if what they're selling today is the same as what I bought 6-7 years ago, but it was amazing for the price. One of the many surprises for me in this hobby. 
Any vintage tuners with a small footprint?
For vintage, Technics ST-C01 or one of their other micro series tuners may fit what you're looking for. For non-vintage, Parasound Z-series and Teac Reference come to mind. Pro-ject also makes some very bitty little components including a tuner, b... 
What's the farthest you've traveled for live music
Jaybo, you've got good taste! For me, it was from Vermont to Toronto for Iron Maiden. Car, then bus, then train. I got into Iron Maiden just after their '85 tour, and always regretted missing that one. They revisited that historic tour on their la... 
Good "warm" CD player for $500
You may want to add the Rega Planet 2000 to your list. 
Hi-End for Black Metal?
Synthfreek, you've described my tastes exactly! I don't do much of the new stuff, but listen to the classics all the time. I managed to catch Celtic Frost on the Monotheist tour, just before the breakup. Absolutely stunning show and fantastic albu... 
Sources for Dynaco Stereo 70.
It seems the cat has been out of the bag a little while on these. I've seen several want-ads (even here) with buyers offering $250+ for ST-70's in any condition, presumably to rebuild and sell for much more.I like Howard's suggestion, and second A... 
Forte F-50A DAC
If you have a chance to listen to it, that would be the best thing to do. I am not familiar with the Sony so I can't hazard a guess. I directly compared the F-50A to the built-in DAC of a Rega Jupiter 2000 CD player, a Bel Canto 1.1 DAC, and an Ar...