Many years ago I was asked to review and critique Audio equipment by a popular local music magazine, but they assumed I would say nice things about products obviously because some were their advertisers. It's obvious to see the conflict here. Today with the internet, the average guy or a BSEE fellow can make comments without too much repercussion. It's a curse and a blessing. The average guy has his stubborn prejudices and some brilliant insights too. The engineer type can be a little cold hearted and may have higher standards which most consumer equipment will never match. Now the situation is sometimes well done and apparently simple equipment may not get a fair review by either due to name appeal or design criteria....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleQ) What Are Some Prices for the Loopers?
A) The EH 2880 Looper is typically $500 new. Electrix Repeater is typically $600 used to $900 new. The other looper prices should be available from any major market retailer, we simply follow current catalog prices, quotes (which are all within a few dollars of each other) and then order in for customer. To be honest I would need more info as to what exact function ...Read Full Article
The butyl used for textile surround restoring that has been recommended online appears to be somewhat problematic. First being that it is sticky, too sticky in my opinion – it's attracting debris of any kind and accumulating on the surround. Large debris might actually cause some buzzing when vibrated. Another issue is the butyl treatment if allowed to get on the edge of textile where the cone is glued to the textile or the frame is glued to the textile appears to be dissolving the original glue at paper cone to textile and loosening it....Read Full Article
Read Full Article
Besides being an avid collector of audio equipment, Vince has also built up a unique and interesting assortment of collectibles of all varieties. We thought it might be interesting to start including some of these on our website for you to peruse. Variety is after all the spice of life, is it not? Vince's Collectibles Here....Read Full Article
Local documentary director and journalist Len Edgerly stopped into our shop the other day to purchase some equipment and was impressed enough with the contrast between our style and that of the corporate audio world, that he asked if he could do an impromptu video interview with Vince. Within a few minutes the camera was rolling, and by the next morning his interview was online. Len apparantly does not mess around. See Video Clip here....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleThis is a letter to inform our past and future customers about our shop , its work efforts, scheduling and general policies. First off, please remember we are a small specialty shop. We would like to explain a few things about recent, unavoidable but important changes in operation. ...Read Full Article
Read Full ArticlePeople tend to hate me when I tell them this, but really now, Behringer & Zoom (among a few others) are actually the leaders of guitar effect processing technology. I like TC electronic (which is actually I.V.L. Designs) and I can always order their stuff in for customers (TC G-Major/Minor), but nearly equivalent product can be had with the Behringer V-amp bass modeler for about $200. You will be amazed. I'm in the position where I could choose almost any maker of guitar processors, and I've chosen to go with Behringer. I have about 40 of their stomp boxes including the Echo Machine, Ultra Pitch Shifter, Bass Flanger; with the pedals now so inexpensive, it's embarrassing how these pedals are so far above the crowd. Truly, Behringer is the original maker and not merely relabeling product. Call for more info, if needed....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleSo now, onto a most delicate subject: the psychology of hearing. Keep in mind that I have been speaking to customers for the past 25 years. All the way back to cassette decks, reel to reels, turntables, CD and DVD players, to modern computer recording systems. I think there is a tremendous ambiguity to the question 'what truly is the best sound?' What is the standard reference playback device? Who has the book on real controlled listening experimentation to guarantee comparable, consistently repeatable opinion? Well I can't find much in the consumer realm, but I do see a few extraordinary clues....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleQ) Can you please list for me the equipment you use when performing an FM alignment?
A) Well, I have lots of test equipment. Sountech, Leader, Tektronix, etc. but if you're asking if I'm qualified by the equipment I own that would be misleading. Truth is, tuner design is somewhat technical and mystic art. Often times I alter tuners to improve the tuner shielding, grounding, stub tune the 300 Ohm Balun Antennae matcher and especially often adjust existing coils in the tuner assembly to improve FM sensitive and reduce radio frequency parasitics...Read Full Article
Are you a consumer oriented audio electronics technician living in the Boston, MA area? If so, we would like to talk to you about an opportunity as a technician in our shop. We are looking for someone who is passionate about Hi-Fi and pro audio, and has a vast knowledge of audio electronics, from reel to reel tape recorders to digital effects processors, from tubes to transistors, and everything in between. We don't look for licenses, degrees, or certificates; we are looking for someone with a vision, a desire to keep on top of the latest technology, without forgetting the vintage roots. If this is you, email us, or give us a call - (617)926-8020 - and talk to Vince (the owner) about this position in a one of a kind shop....Read Full Article
Read Full Article