Click pics to enlarge. Casual LR system. Micromega Stage 2 (and el cheap Magnavox TDA1543 CDP); Shindo Monbrison and Akitika GT-102 are not used in this iteration. The BELL 3DT borrowed from Andy is making magnificent music! Harbeth P3ESR; on top 新时 "WE" 597 passive resonators.
From the Editor: The Wayfarer and his Clouded Mind
Letter from NYC (23-1): Home Alone, again!
By now, many regular readers are likely wondering why it has been so quiet in this Blog. The answer is simple - I have been very busy for the past month and a half to write or even to co-ordinate. Even Part IV of the Nobsound E6 mega-trip, already fully etched in my head, was shelved for the moment. But rest assured that full activity shall be resuming in a short while.
I have been moving around quite a bit. Months ago, after the abandonment of China’s Zero-Covid policy, and then following the abatement of the resultant huge covid wave, China and Hong Kong removed their covid quarantine requirements and restored cross-border travel. Many immediately crossed the border, but for quite a while I was not among them. Having lived in Shenzhen for almost two and a half years, I was getting lazy really, or used to “lying flat”. It took me at least 2 months to take the first trip back to HK.
Disorientation
The older one gets, the harder for one to adapt quickly. The first time back in HK was disorienting. It’s like slowly putting back a familiar jigsaw puzzle. A kind of Haziness not unlike jet lag pervaded me. The main purpose of the trip (and the ones after) was to update administrative matter and check out my old home, which took up considerable time. Within a month I made several day trips for practical matters. I always started my trip around 6:30 and returned in mid afternoon so as to avoid the peak commuting hours. After a few trips, the haziness mostly cleared, but never went completely away. It was tiring. The good thing is I managed to fix an electrical problem in my old house and even enjoyed some SET amps. Although only for a period, I had some revelations which I shall share with you later.
About 10 days ago, I left HK for New York, but with a 4 day stop-over in Taipei, Taiwan, where I visited my uncle’s family. I tried but did not successfully hook up with local audiophiles.
Arriving in NYC was even more disorienting. I suffered from quite severe jet lag. As of this writing, the haze in my head had not completely lifted. It was like HK redux, putting back the jigsaw puzzle again. After an absence of almost 3 years, given the American bureaucracy there are a lot more to take care of than in HK. I made some progress. Of course, that did not stop me from hanging out with friends Andy and Mark the other day. I had brought Andy a pair of the 15 ohm Beydas LS3/5A and “WE” 597 (新时). You shall read about them later.
The fact that I’m writing this is sign that I’m recovering from my fatigue. More articles shall be coming in short succession. A few pics now for your perusal.
By now, many regular readers are likely wondering why it has been so quiet in this Blog. The answer is simple - I have been very busy for the past month and a half to write or even to co-ordinate. Even Part IV of the Nobsound E6 mega-trip, already fully etched in my head, was shelved for the moment. But rest assured that full activity shall be resuming in a short while.
I have been moving around quite a bit. Months ago, after the abandonment of China’s Zero-Covid policy, and then following the abatement of the resultant huge covid wave, China and Hong Kong removed their covid quarantine requirements and restored cross-border travel. Many immediately crossed the border, but for quite a while I was not among them. Having lived in Shenzhen for almost two and a half years, I was getting lazy really, or used to “lying flat”. It took me at least 2 months to take the first trip back to HK.
Disorientation
The older one gets, the harder for one to adapt quickly. The first time back in HK was disorienting. It’s like slowly putting back a familiar jigsaw puzzle. A kind of Haziness not unlike jet lag pervaded me. The main purpose of the trip (and the ones after) was to update administrative matter and check out my old home, which took up considerable time. Within a month I made several day trips for practical matters. I always started my trip around 6:30 and returned in mid afternoon so as to avoid the peak commuting hours. After a few trips, the haziness mostly cleared, but never went completely away. It was tiring. The good thing is I managed to fix an electrical problem in my old house and even enjoyed some SET amps. Although only for a period, I had some revelations which I shall share with you later.
About 10 days ago, I left HK for New York, but with a 4 day stop-over in Taipei, Taiwan, where I visited my uncle’s family. I tried but did not successfully hook up with local audiophiles.
Arriving in NYC was even more disorienting. I suffered from quite severe jet lag. As of this writing, the haze in my head had not completely lifted. It was like HK redux, putting back the jigsaw puzzle again. After an absence of almost 3 years, given the American bureaucracy there are a lot more to take care of than in HK. I made some progress. Of course, that did not stop me from hanging out with friends Andy and Mark the other day. I had brought Andy a pair of the 15 ohm Beydas LS3/5A and “WE” 597 (新时). You shall read about them later.
The fact that I’m writing this is sign that I’m recovering from my fatigue. More articles shall be coming in short succession. A few pics now for your perusal.
A serious drawback. I don't have WiFi here. The Portable Hotspot of my T-Mobile is virtually useless. This article was finished with help of the library WiFi. A pain.
Wow, finally, a decent bagel for breakfast!
HK old home. Sun Audio VT-25 amp and DIY 45 Amp
B&W Matrix 801S2 and Ruark Crusader II
In HK, best to start the day with dimsum and tea. Rice with meat pattie and salted fish.
The wonderful Bell 3DT
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