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@Rob and I, as we walked around AXPONA a couple years ago, sat through one of these demos from a different supplier. We caught on that something was up..., The premise was that this "passive" device, when placed in the room, could do room correction of some kind, and improve the sound. The device was small, like a USB stick drive size, as I recall. The demo jock said he could take the unit out of the room, and the correction would stop, and the sound difference would be noticeable at the moment it left the room. we sat through that demo once..., and there was a subtle difference - but nothing spectacular. The audio system was a smallish remote-controlled non-branded (that I recall) integrated system, small enough to fit in a suitcase with the speakers. I caught on that a second player in the con was in the back of the room, arms folded..., and I noticed in his hand was a small remote control unit. I requested that guy, in the back of the room, to put the remote down on the floor, in front of the system they were playing music through. A look of "shock" and "we're busted flooded their face - their con had been exposed. They tried to continue with the lie of the con, saying "it will still make a difference..." They complied, and the other demo jock took the "component" which was not powered, no wires, not in the "chain" anywhere..., out of the room again, and this time, no sound change that we could tell. My conclusion is that the remote, operated by the quiet guy in the back corner of the room toggled on some "loudness" feature in the system that was playing the demo tracks, in synch with the con man that took the component out of the room. Con men are everywhere - it just takes common sense to see through it, and not get duped. But, then, cults of followers of this kind of snake oil are sucked into it every day..., and when a mark pays $3995 for something, expectation bias kicks in and they "believe" it works, and would rarely come out and risk their pride by admitting they had made a mistake and fell for the con. While his museum has no evidence, PT Barnum is credited with saying "a sucker is born every minute" - others with the sentiment also credited with this phrase include David Hannum, PT Barnum's critic, as well as the notorious Bunco Man, Joseph Lewis ("Hungry Joe") a gambler in the 1880's in several print references... The term applies to Audio, for sure! 😉

I have to say the WiiM Ultra is the best bang for the buck I've purchased since getting a working M-500t for $120 on eBay. I've ended up with 3 WiiM Ultras, and I got them all at the current price.

Do a search on eBay..., use the string "book matched burl veneer" Dozens of listings come up..., some very interesting burled examples as low as $20 (sizes may vary - not sure what you need). Many listings lay out a guitar-top shape (seems a common use or market). some of the guitar-top sellers are asking astronomical prices..., but some are more reasonable..., It's a great place to see LOTS of examples of different veneers. I love the marble wood and zebra wood examples, and while I like (and have purchased) walnut burls from eBay sellers, I find the most spectacular burled wood to be the redwood burls. Others really like the birds-eye maple burles... The size of the pieces offered do vary. If nothing else, it gives a lot of good ideas on what is available - for example...

I didn't need any enabling, but peer reinforcement is appreciated. Should have mine this afternoon.

I don't have a record collection but the mix of wall art and the bins looks really sharp! I believe it will draw folks who get to see it into conversation about the art, albums and the music.

The Damned Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Album)

Rockler carries several types of burl veneer including some matched packs Walnut Burl Sequenced Matched 4-Way Veneer Pack | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

Welcome!

A little late to this but here goes. My albums are currently stored end on, like other folks here have them. Agreed on the "get down on the floor and old eyes" comment; I resemble that. I do like the bin style shown and may move to that arrangement. I also like the idea of the art wall that can be changed whenever. That ChatGPT mock-up looks really nice!

believe it or not, ChatGPT chose that for me...... I do have all those albums, though

Nice choice of album art!

Thank you all for the suggestions. I like the idea of hanging album art on the wall. I've done that in the past. I think I will use that as a way to show records off instead of making them visible in the cabinet. I can rotate through different albums. I think I'm going with a drawer approach for album storage in the cabinet so I can flip through. I'm gonna try to have a cabinet with 4 album drawers on the bottom and a narrower section on top with shorter drawers to hold tapes, record cleaning supplies, etc. I asked ChatGPT to help me visualize this all. I think I've landed on what I'd say is my "Analog Station" concept. It will hold my albums, tapes, turntable, a preamp, my tube amp and a reel to reel tape player. I'll make it kinda MCM feel in terms of design and pair it with my Infinity RS3b's... Here's what ChatGPT thinks it will all look like... the proportions are off on the component sizes. But you get the idea. (All this wood and warmth will be stark contrast to the "tower of anthracite" that is in my main Carver system). Now I just need to find someone to build it for me or get up the gumption to build it myself :). I'll be sure to update this thread once I get going on the project.

Yeah, better deal buying direct. I think I saw a 90 day return ? I bought some bookshelf speakers for my son through Klipsch, refurbished. I think they have Amazon pay, too.

With me vinyl is all about the artwork, so I'd go with whatever solution lets you see and enjoy it all the best. I kind of like the record walls people set up but I realize it's limited to what's displayed at any one time. But perhaps rotating in different albums each month from conventional storage might work?

I like this idea... hadn't thought about a countertop approach. I could almost see a kitchen cabinet like design without the doors. Though, it would have to thinner back to front. I second the notion of others that I like things that are very sturdy and heavier than it needs to be. That's the way I tend to build stuff when I do so. And, I appreciate the comments about being able to read the edges of albums...I am of that age, too Maybe I'll try a drawer/bin approach with a countertop, all made of hardwood. Might be able to get a remnant piece of granite for the top to keep costs down. Thanks all for the thoughts. Very helpful.

Hello Alfred and welcome to thecarversite.com. Glad you found us! The M-500t is my favorite Carver amp. So musical, and those sexy meters...

My records are stored more like case #2, but no legs, and 4 vertical levels. I would love to have a room with record storage running at least 10-12' and 2 levels with wood or granite countertop for components.

The factory refurbs are $329 at Amazon.

I second that being a former furniture builder. Anything that ever built weighed more than it should.