w h e t s t o n e . a u d i o

New to Whetstone Audio is the excellent hi-fi support company, BOX FURNITURE. While I was in NYC, I got to meet Anthony Abbate and visit his factory. It’s conveniently located next to DeVore Fidelity in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Box not only builds beautiful audio racks, they also build the enclosures for DeVore’s speakers. I have a four shelf rack in the gorgeous Sapele finish. Come see and hear it in action!

I just got in the A23 cables and straight from the box I had to scoop my jaw off the floor. DAMN! REALLY? These cables aren’t even burned in yet and they outperform nearly anything I’ve ever heard at any price! I have them hooked up to the Leben CS-600 (just like in the picture) into the DeVore Super 8 speakers. Well Tempered Amadeus / Dynavector 17D3 up front extracting all that vinyl goodness! Everything you’ve read about these cables is true. If you’re not familiar take a gander at this REVIEW and another good
ARTICLE.

There is a proper procedure for taking advantage of any investment.
Music, for example. Buying music is an investment.
To get the maximum you must

LISTEN TO IT FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER OPTIMUM CONDITIONS

Not in your car or on a portable player through a headset.
Take it home.
Get rid of all distractions, (even her or him)
Turn off your cell phone.
Turn off everything that rings or beeps or rattles or whistles.
Make yourself comfortable.
Play your LP.
LISTEN all the way through.
Think about what you got.
Think about who would appreciate this investment.
Decide if there is someone to share this with.
Turn it on again.
Enjoy Yourself.

Gil Scott-Heron

It took awhile but the UK Factory Tours Page is up. Check it out!

It’s weird to look outside and see it dumping in Texas! All we need are a few weeks of this and some mountains! I still have my skis!

During World War II, segregation prevented African American servicemen from enjoying most civilian restaurants and recreational facilities. In an effort to address this issue, Austin civic leaders urged the city to provide recreational sites for servicemen on leave from military posts. By war’s end, African American servicemen had added but limited “R&R” sites in Austin. Johnny Holmes responded to this need when he opened the original Victory Grill on VJ day (Victory over Japan Day, Aug. 16, 1945) in a converted icehouse on east 11th street. Holmes created a venue in east Austin that provided returning African American servicemen with both an accessible dining establishment and blues and jazz entertainment.
Victory Grill Website

DHL came by today with the new Kudos X2 loudspeakers! (breaking them in with some Radio Birdman as I write this) The small floor standing X2’s along with the Naim Uniti, are a simple solution to covering all your bases. The X2 are $2495 a pair. Something this small shouldn’t sound this big! Come have a listen!

Scroll over pics for info…

A great set of Monkeyhaus pics

I’m pleased to announce the arrival of the first of several offerings from the Danish speaker company DALI. I just got in the Lektor 2 bookshelves. WOW! Huge sound from a tiny speaker. Front ported for a true bookshelf design. I’m happy to say that in my quest for good value and outstanding sound, the Lektor 2 is a shoe in for my entry level speaker at just $475 a pair!

I’m going to New York City!!! This is the first vacation without kids that my wife and I have taken in 7 years!! While I’m there, I’ll be attending John DeVore’s Monkeyhaus! A tour of the DeVore factory and hopefully Box Furniture. I’m also gonna kick it with Steve Mishoe at his shop In Living Stereo. I will be posting highlights of the trip here later. If you know of some cool places I should check out, let me know!

I’m always reachable by cell 512-784-8282 and by email brian@whetstoneaudio.com