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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Sitting in between the Nait 5i and SUPERNAIT, the XS delivers 60 watts of pure Naim OOMPH!  Give me a call to schedule a demo! 

 

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NAIT XS Features

• Series 5 Aluminium chassis and sleeve with zinc die-cast front panel.
• Upgradeable with FlatCap, HiCap or SuperCap power supplies.
• Six line inputs: 4 x RCA/DIN, 1 x RCA/3.5mm jack, 1 x powered input for phono stage.
• Auto switching 3.5mm stereo jack socket for iPod/MP3 player input on the front panel (mapped to Aux 1) to improve convenience.
• Aux 2 power for phono stage.
• 60WPC into 8 Ohm or 90WPC into 4 Ohm.
• 380VA toroidal transformer with 5 separate windings: 2 x L&R power amp, 1 x preamp, 1 x display, 1 x relay switching.
• AV unity gain option (AV bypass switchable).
• Full bandwidth stereo subwoofer output.
• Optional bi-directional RS232 port for installation into ‘smart homes’.
• Preamp similar to SUPERNAIT.
• Can be split to use as a preamplifier or power amplifier.
• Remote Controlled via Remote and System (RC5) in front (IR) and rear (3.5mm jack) for maximum control connectivity e.g. Custom Install.
• NARCOM Remote control for volume and input selection.
• Programmable Auto Input Switching (AIS).
• Compatible with a wide choice of cables and speakers.

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Whetstone Audio will be closed December 19 through the 25th.  I will be helping Santa at his secret hideout in Utah.  I may be reached at 512-784-8282 to answer questions and place orders. Please don’t hesitate to call and leave a message.  I will return your call ASAP!  Have a safe and happy holiday season!

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I will include FREE CABLES with any speaker or electronics purchase until the new year!

 

Cheers!

 

Brian

As promised, the flagship Kudos C-30 are now at Whetstone Audio.  Come hear why reviewer Paul Messenger now owns a pair as his reference!  These are so good, I sold a pair half an hour after I set them up!!!

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Kudos recently won THREE Hi-Fi Choice awards!  The C-1 won Silver for speakers in the $2K-4K range, The C-30 won Gold for speakers over $10K (yes, they beat out B&W) and the S-50 speaker stands won Silver

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All of these award winning products may be seen and heard at the shop.

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