Some recent amplifier problems have kept the lounge room reasonably quiet for a few weeks, but I am pleased to say a pretty simple repair got my system back up & running again. Thanks Earle!

No system changes to report. However, a small directional cable change appears to have a reduced the ground loop hum problem that has bothered me over the last few months and the sound is back to being acceptably good again.

I have added a little new music recently, mainly retro rock stuff. A couple of re-mastered Heart albums and a Mobile Fidelity Steely Dan ‘Aja’ (pretty cool actually on second & subsequent listens) and Dr John ‘The City that care Forgot’ come quickly to mind.

I had the pleasure to visit an audio buddy last weekend who has recently added a new Acoustic Signature ‘Mambo’ turntable to his already impressive system (Moon/Rowland/Dynaudio C4). Wow, what a sound. It was full, coherent, convincing and really, really musical. And free enough of surface noise, & pops & clicks for it not to be a problem or get in the way of the glorious sound. Another guest bought some anniversary Cary CAD 211 AE mono-blocks to try. The group agreed that, on balance, the overall tone of the valves was generally favoured over the greater dynamics of the Rowland solid state.

Thanks for a great night Phil!