Thoughts and Non Thoughts

The Denon 16611UD is a Universal Player that can play Blue Ray, DVDs, CDs and, most of all, SACDs.   I use it purely as a SACD Stereo player through its 2-channel analog outs.       It connects via a NAD304 used as a line pre-amp into a Conrad Johnson MV55 tube amp.     This is where the alchemy begins. With the superb SACD playback of the Denon feeding the CJ, it is as close to analog as digital can be.   At the end of the chain are the LSA2 Towers giving out a full range rendition.   The first time I heard SACD many years ago, I was wowed. When I heard this combination play in my system, I felt that "wow factor" again. Priceless. Cables: Acoustic Zen Reference and MIT T5 interconnects, Rega Duet speaker cables  (Shot with a Canon 6D using a 40mm 2.8 STM pancake lens)

Food for thought: Can you have passion without love? Can you have love without passion?  By the way, this is not limited to amorous relationships - the question applies to one's relationship with other people, friends, hobbies, profession, work, business, volunteer activities, etc. Some say "passion" can be equated with "desire" while "love" equates to "commitment".  Which is better, passion without love or love without passion?

Much attention has been given Peque Gallaga's supposed rant against the government's alleged failure to deal with the Yolanda super typhoon aftermath. Whether or not the 70-year-old director actually wrote this letter, which is a well-written manifesto, I would rather go back to his masterpiece from 31 years ago -- the film Oro, Plata, Mata. The film tells the story of two haciendero families in Negros, and how World War II turned their world upside down. The war was like a super typhoon that stripped society of its social hierarchy and structure and exposed underlying conflicts between social classes, good and evil, and family members. It exposed man's inhumanity to man and confronted him with his humanity. It forced people to choose between survival and their values, between dignity and their basest instincts. In the end, no one was left untouched. The war changed everyone's life forever. Some hiding secrets, some harboring regrets, and some emerging scarred but ...

In black croc. In brown cordovan strap.

  The Nomos brand has been gaining popularity in the horological world. Though a young company, its pedigree as a manufactury is impeccable, making its movements in-house in the watchmaking town of Glashutte. Combining this watchmaking tradition with sleek, simple, classic designs, Nomos Glashutte was one of the watch collector's best kept secrets, a small independent making significantly fewer watches than the big names. Recently, Nomos has introduced new designs, including slightly bigger versions of the original 35 mm Orion range. The 38 mm Orion White Datum has a dial size that keeps to current trends, though still clearly within the dress watch category. It also has a date window which is easy to read, consistent with the design concept of the brand. The white dial and silver plated hands add a touch of elegance and class. The 38 mm Orion White Datum is attuned to the times, while retaining the essence that quintessentially Nomos. A modern classic indeed.   ...

Did a quick A/B using the above system - Rega RP1 with Carbon cart, Cayin integrated amp with EL34 tubes. An iPod was also used as a source. Quick impressions - the Monitor Audios are more detailed and open, the Missions have more bass. Initially with the iPod source I preferred the Missions; but when we shifted to LP, I went for the Monitor Audios. It's just a matter of preference between these two. Both are quite good at their price point of around $250. If you close your eyes, you can be made to believe the music is coming from bigger speakers. They're both winners!