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Rega is introducing colored plinths again! This time they are in a lacquered finish and will come with the PSU (power supply) which will mean the P3 will be without a power switch on the table giving it a more streamlined look. Price is $1295 and will be available in October. I’m gonna get a “Rega Green” one in.

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The new addition to Rega’s “cost no object” line-up is the Elicit integrated amp. It will be around $2900 and takes Rega amplification to a new level. Check it out on their web site. I should have one at the shop in a few weeks.

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Check out the Used page. Lots of new goodies!

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WASHINGTON D.C., August 20, 2008 — Whetstone Audio has been selected for the 2008 Best of Austin Award in the Stereos & Electronics category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

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Here’s a pic of Wall Arch.  We went to Arches Natl. Park this summer.  I told my kids that there was an arch there that probably wouldn’t be around much longer.  Little did I know that it would collapse two weeks after we were there.  It made the grueling trip there worth it.

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I was recently turned on to some great music blogs that let you download out of print records for FREE! iTunes?  WHATEVA’  Check these out! Also, check out the links on them. Happy downloading. My computer is smoking!
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Baby Grandpa

My Jazz World

Dust to Dust

Sounds of the 70’s

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I will be out of town from July 19 - August 5.  Maxing out the gas cards!  A Hot Springs tour of Colorado, Arches Park in Moab, Utah and Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Gotta get these precious family trips in before the kids are “Tweenies” and think I’m “totally uncool”.  

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I will be checking my email, brian@whetstoneaudio.com and will have my cell phone. Please leave me a message and I will get back with you ASAP.

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Summer also means my kids are not in school so my wife and I are bouncing them back and forth.  Should you roll up to the shop and I am not there, PLEASE CALL MY CELL  512-784-8282.  I’m probably close by and can be there in a few minutes… I may arrive in a wet swim suit.

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It’s always a great idea to make an appointment.

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Thanks,

Brian

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Y’all can’t imagine how hard it is to find great gear that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. After years of being anti Chi-Fi, I’ve bit the bullet and have in Epos once again. Years ago I carried them and have always loved their sound. Now they’re built in China, but WAIT! THEY DON’T SUCK! In fact I’m surprised to say the workmanship is A+. Nothing cheapened here. In fact, the packaging blew me away! Double boxed, banana plugs and floor spike protectors. Inner cloth bags, not plastic. DNM internal wiring. They arrived unscathed (a rarity). So, I’m starting to pay closer attention to the final product and not so much their origin. There is just no way getting around the fact that cheaper labor produces less expensive products. I was concerned about the factory and people working there so I asked the importer about the working conditions….

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“The speakers are made by kids in china that don’t know they are being abused and they usually die before they figure out what they are doing is fatal. The good news is some of the children have as many as 8 arms as result of birth defects caused by the factory dumping toxic chemicals into the local river the workers draw their drinking water from. The octo-armed kids are incredibly productive thus allowing us to make even more profit. Seriously, the speakers are basically hand made in an ISO9001/2 factory that has a superb reputation.”

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I LOVE a sick sense of humor, so I couldn’t resist picking them up,,, again.

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Now showing are the amazing $399 ELS3, the $1199 M12.2 and $1999 M16i

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The stunning Leben CS-600 integrated tube amp from Japan / Tone Imports is HERE!  mmmmmm new amp smell !!!  So I’ve spent the last few days listening to the Leben.  The first day with the 6L6 tubes and then I switched them out with some EL-34.  I have some C logo EL-34 coming which John Halpern of Tone Imports recommended. This amp can take loads of different tubes and is SELF BIASING!  Fit and Finish is impeccable.  Built like a tank but “smoove like butta…” If you want to buy a really great integrated and NEVER want or need to upgrade, come by.  I’ve had great success pairing it with DeVore speakers and the Rega R5.  

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The new $2850 Well Tempered Amadeus is really well thought out and unlike ANYTHING I’ve seen or heard before. The golf ball bathing in a cup of silicone gel acts somewhat like a uni pivot and works really well.  It’s quite difficult to explain, but the crane like thing-a-ma-jig holds a thin fish line string which is adjustable. Being a Rega freak, I was a bit scared of turning into a complete “tweak geek”,  Rega is so user friendly which I like, but the set up is quite easy and intuitive on the Amadeus.  I’m looking forward to seeing threads with OCD buyers testing out Titleist vs. Wilson balls on the table.  Listening to golf balls is more pathetic than listening to multi thousand dollar cables! Remember, it’s all about the tunage!  If you’re looking for a table that is exotic, tweak free and sounds like it should be three times as much, bring some records by and give it a spin!  For a limited time I have, on loan, the Dynavector DRT XV-1S!!!!!   If you’ve never heard a $4500 cartridge, now is your chance! 

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I finally bit the bullet and ordered up the best record cleaning machine available!  Have some records that need cleaning?  Bring them by!  $2 per LP will include a new poly / paper inner sleeve and poly outer sleeve. The cool thing about this machine is that it DEEP cleans. Once it’s been “Loricleaned”, you’ll probably never have to clean it again.  Even new records benefit as the stampers leave residue (think Pam, the cooking spray) on them to prevent the vinyl from sticking to the press.

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My Dad got all his slides converted to disc and I’ve taken on the task of organizing them. Here’s a pic of my Sisters, Me and Mom at my first concert…. Mormon SuperGroup, The Osmonds in Buffalo, NY!  Then we all saw Helen (I am woman, hear me roar) Reddy in Vegas a few years later!  Yes!  Rockin’, I know!  Later, my sister Denise scored Commodores tix for the Natural High Tour.  A Taste of Honey opened. In 7th grade, I went to see Yes (where we all got mugged and our cool concert jerseys stolen). Barry Manilow with a friend and his parents (jeez!).  Foreigner 4 Tour w/ Billy Squier opening. John Denver with the parentals.  Supertramp with my sister Denise again. Queen on their last US Tour in ‘82 with my friends. Freshman in High School, The Rolling Stones with my friend and his MOM! I thought she was going to drop us off! She wanted to leave at intermission because there were people smoking POT next to us. Psychedelic Furs w/ The Dream Syndicate opening with my sister Brenda. I’ve seen hundreds of shows since, but The Osmonds started it all!  

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