No need to blow eight bucks on a Hi-Fi magazine. Tone has been around for a few years now and is FAR better than the rags you’ll find at the news stand. The reviewers aren’t deaf or 90 years old. Check it out!
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TONE MAGAZINE

This is Karl at National Record Store Day! Being a good GREEN citizen, Karl upgraded his Rega Brio3 for a Mira3. Picked up a killer record and biked home with a big grin on his face! Karl is one of my many clients who take advantage of my awesome trade-in offer. YOU GO KARL!! It’s easy being GREEN! Kermit lied!

Saturday, April 18th is National Record Store Day! I’ve marked down TONS of records to $5 or less. Turntables and cartridges will be 10% off! A great time to buy a new Rega! Yes, I will have some
ICE COLD BEER!
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I scored a Lonnie Johnson record that had a special surprise in it…
Hmmm… a small manila envelope?

Oh my golly gosh! Moldy Oldie DRUGS!!!!

Looks like dirt weed and some weird white powder. No, I did not try to figure out what it was! I threw it away. You never know what “treasures” you’ll find inside of old records! I’ve found a roach or two before but never tiny bags of white crap… Happy Hunting!!

I was finally feeling Human again after my week long bout of the “SXSW Crud” and was told Gary Floyd and Company were going to play Creekside Lounge for $5 bucks!! It was great seeing all the familiar faces from 20+ years ago. It actually felt like 1984 last night. Heck, I even slam danced for a song! For those of you unfamiliar with The Dicks, they are one of the best punk bands in the World who came out of the Austin scene along with the Big Boys, Scratch Acid and Butthole Surfers . Google them.

 
I survived, but my liver is killing me!  I got to meet a true icon at the Bloodshot Records party.  Exene Cervenka from X.   More escapades coming soon!

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So, I’m getting over a NASTY bout of some weird virus.  My neck is killing me and I’ve been dealing with high fever.  Must’ve been a contaminated beer tap or something…

The first show I hit during SXSW was Akron / Family at the Mohawk.  Really cool show and nothing like their CD.  Better to catch them live!

Here are some old bandmates of mine from THE ACTION IS. We were called Hot Wheels Jr. until Mattel Toys sent a cease and desist letter.

This is James Harries. I’m sure he’s sick of the Jeff Buckley references, but it fits. He opened for Nellie McKay who I have a small crush on.


Here’s Huelyn Duvall the guy who screams “TEQUILA” on The Champs record with my pal Craig.

Here’s Eli “Paperboy” Reid out back at The Continental Club going over their set with Barbara Lynn. These guys are total pros!


The Legendary ROY HEAD! From Houston Texas, he once bit Elvis on the leg so he would never forget him. He reminded me of Jerry Lee Lewis. Same insane energy!

The day after the Ponderosa Stomp Showcase, I helped Sponsor the BYOC fest in back of my shop. This is Roy Head doing shots of Makers with me.

Awesome Toyko band, The Emeralds

My friend, Eric Roach. He SHREDS on his Hello Kitty guitar. We’re playing a show with his band Lick Lick next month. I’ve known Eric for over 20 years!

James Harries showed up to the party. I invited him after seeing him with Nellie McKay. The guy is phenomenal and I highly recommend getting his CD.
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So that pretty much wraps up my SXSW. I tried to take it easy this year but still ended up sick. I’m calling it “Hipster Virus”. Probably brought here by some sickly skinny white kid from Brooklyn. What-Ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m helping sponsor this excellent DAY PARTY.  It will be behind the shop this next Saturday,  March 21.  Bring a chair.  Bring the kids!  There will be a Bouncy Tent, BEER, food, and excellent LIVE music.  Legendary Rocker ROY HEAD!  Many special surprises.  Come party with me! This is my way of saying THANK YOU to all who have supported my business for the past decade.

The Roth MC4 Pod integrated amp is now in. For only $499 you can get the silky smoothness of tubes and three inputs for iPod, CD/ phono and computer. 

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The Music Cocoon has been designed for use with the lovely Apple iPod (hence the fairly obvious dock on the top of the amplifier), any portable audio device (that’s why there is a 3.5mm socket on the back of the amplifier), any device which outputs audio to a 3.5mm jack (e.g. a laptop), or a CD player (that’ll be why there is a pair of RCA sockets on the back as well).

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This means that regardless of the source unit, the MC4 can handle it, which immediately makes it more useful than a simple docking device for the iPod.

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If one considers the iPod or MP3 player, for sure, what you put in is what comes out, so if you are using compressed audio files, we can’t weave some magic to restore what has been lost. However……we can guarantee that the amplifier will add a real warmth and dimension to the music which other amplifiers are not designed to do. That’s the thing about vacuum tubes; there is a science behind their use, but the results cannot be quantified.

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When using uncompressed files, this amplifier has the ability to allow you to hear things in the music which you have not heard before. It will bring back the excitement of listening for the first time to that new album from your favourite artist, the same anticipation, but, with a curiously smooth and refined playback which you will not have experienced before. Yes. It is that good.

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For CD playback it simply is astonishing and the audio quality and depth generated from such a small amplifier is beyond froody*.

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In use, the MC4 is simple to operate and you can of course control the functionality of the iPod from the remote control. We made this nice and chunky so that you’re less likely to lose it.

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* see Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, Douglas Adams.

This is the one & only PINK Rega P3-24 that will be imported to the United States!   I’ve put a red mat and Ortofon 2M blue cartridge on it. SOLD! It may be time to get an ORANGE one in and Longhorn it up!

I scored this sweet lab table from Habitat For Humanity!  I can now solder cables and set up turntables in style.  I dig the built in plugs.  It’s the little things in life…

 

Fed Ex came with the new line-up!

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