Reviewer's Bio
Nels Ferre

  Born in Virginia in 1966, I have always had an insatiable appetite for music. Grew up listening to rock music, being greatly influenced by my older siblings. Upon completion of my formal education, I ended up in the audio industry, pulling a ten year stint as a store manager for a small audio video chain in Orlando, Florida. After the chain closed, there was another ten years in the automobile and computer industries and am currently employed as a manager in the trucking industry, for one of the largest carriers of refrigerated freight in the United States.

In addition to rock and roll, I love the blues, bluegrass, and classical music. My other hobbies include motorcycling and currently ride a Suzuki Boulevard C50 cruiser. Also enjoy dining out, deep sea fishing and reading.

Like Scott Faller, another writer at Enjoy the Music.com, I, too, have written for a European webzine. In that time, have learned a few things. First, every writer has biases and preferences that affect their viewpoint, no matter how unbiased one pretends to be. I prefer analog to digital, although digital has come a long way since its introduction. It involves more work to get good results, from setup, to record care to maintenance (stylus replacements and the occasional belt replacement.) The payoff, in my opinion, is more than worth the trouble. While most of my system uses vacuum tubes, there are excellent quality reasonably priced solid state components as well. While I have never owned a Linn component, can definitely understand the "Linn Logic": get it right at the source. This probably explains why I have held on to my trusty mid '90s vintage Infinity Kappa series speakers: each upgrade upstream has made them even more enjoyable. While I have reviewed other speakers through the years, some quite exceptional, I haven't found another compelling enough to justify an upgrade. On the subject of speakers, am not a fan of "full range" drivers Why? Because they aren't. They are an interesting diversion, nothing more. I prefer the door speakers in my car to remain there, they don't belong in my listening room. That's not to say that better than acceptable results can't be obtained from Lowthers and the like, but it usually requires an enclosure bigger than a refrigerator, or bi amplification. So much for "full range."

While the recording industry is currently experiencing a decline of which there seems no end, there is a renaissance of sorts in high end audio. Not since the Golden age of audio have there been so many different opportunities for music lovers. Computer based audio, a resurgence of interest in vinyl and tubes, and gear from the far east, professional modifiers, and upstart manufacturers have made this a great time to be involved in the hobby. Web based audio forums have made the exchange of ideas and advice easy. Websites like eBay and Audiogon have made it easier to find that elusive LP, CD or piece of equipment.

I am looking forward to exploring these exciting times with you.

Associated Equipment

Sources Analog: SOTA Star Series III Turntable (Vacuum Platter with Outboard Power Supply) Audiomods RB-250 Arm
Denon DL110 High Output Moving Coil Cartridge, Zu Audio DL-103 Low Output Moving Coil Cartridge

Digital: Apple MacBook Black 2.16 Dual Core Intel Processor, 4GB RAM Snow Leopard10.6 OS, iTunes V 9.X Pure Vinyl, MHDT Labs Havana DAC with NOS LM Ericsson 2C51/396A Tube, Drobo Storage Robot (First Generation) Western Digital Elements Series External USB Hard Drive

Amplification Line Stage: Manley Laboratories Jumbo Shrimp Preamplifier with Remora Remote, Power Amplifiers: Manley Laboratories Mahi Monoblocks (Triode Mode, Std. Feedback)

Phono Stage: Response Audio Vacuum Tube Phono Stage with JJ 12AU7 Input Tube, new production Mullard 12AX7 Driver Tube, Outboard DIY Hi Supply MC Step Up Transformer, Headphone Amplifier: Creek OBH11

Loudspeakers Salk Signature Sound SongTower QWT, Infinity Kappa 6.1, Sony MDRV6 Headphones

Cables Analysis Plus Oval 9 Speaker Cables, Belkin Pure AV Silver Series Interconnects, Belkin Pure AV Silver Series USB, Cables To Go Mini Toslink to Toslink Cable
Grant Fidelity PC-1.5 Power Cables

Power Conditioners Belkin PF60, Adcom ACE-515 (MacBook and External Hard Drives)