Review: Shun Dual Core

To give up a dual core (that is, to give up you and your girlfriend/wife having a solid core) is a terrible, miserable thing.

We looked at the Shun Dual Core Utility ($325.00 USD), Shun Dual Core Honesuki ($313.00 USD), and Shun Dual Core 8-in Kiritsuke ($375.00 USD) at Ming Wo.

The quality was fine, the look a bit carbon fiber, a bit wheat.

We like the look of the blade, but didn't like the handle of the Dual Core serie.

[A bit worse than the Shun Hana ($750.00 USD, $1,000.00 CDN).]

The Shun Dual Core 8-in Kirsuke is a bit of an iron.






Update:

We got a Bloodline Ring (in Sterling Silver) to compensate. Well, not really, but the design goes well with the handle cover. Octagon theme. Muy Thai. [2017/02/16]

JP 2016/11/25
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World's Best

What are the handful of World's Best Amplification components?

Gryphon Colosseum

The Signal to Noise (S/N) is terrible, at < -79 dB. The Dynamic Range is Passable (ok...) at 111 dB.
The Bandwidth is superfluous at 0 - 350 kHz. 0 to 100 kHz is all-right.

The Channel Separation is Infinite. Measurable, it is ...

Their Diablo 300 is measurable at > 120 dB.

Speaking of fitness, Mohamed Ali passed out yesterday, and we should give our condolence.

Aavik Acoustics C-300 Full Function Preamplifier

Let us discuss Ralph Fiennes

JP 2016/06/05
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Clean Entry

Burson Audio Conductor DAC / Preamplifier ($1,250.00 USD)
Burson Audio Timekeeper Amplifier ($2,495.00 USD)
SVS UltraTower Floorstanding Loudspeakers ($1,998.00 USD)

"The Clinique of the Modern Life is that there is too much stuff." - John Paul Fiket
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Architecture

Auralic Aires

The Diner's Table: Boning

We've talk a lot about sex. Luckily, Crate and Barrel now carries not only the Shun Boning Knife, but also the Shun Blue Kiritsuke.

A miniature Katana, not really, the Kiritsuke never-the-less has a nice knife shape.

Shaped like a steak knife, you may wish to use the Shun Premier Boning Knife as a steak knife, to compliment your collection.

You may wish to compliment the Shun Premier Boning Knife with the Shun Premier Carving Fork at your setting.

We're strictly (largely) vegetarian.

The Fois Gais on your plate will respond to such a combination, and will happily replace the Shun Gentleman's Knife as a bit of a put.

It's a bit thin, but seeing it may get you some on-table or upstairs action.

With such a lovely image, this should really be a restaurant menu. We'll contact our Chef Georges to see what he can devise, but it's really best to do the job.

Le Maison De La Rochefoucauld

JP 2016/01/06
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Breville "The Dose Control Pro"

There's something do-si-doe about the Breville "The Dose Control Pro." Electric Coffee Grinder ($199.00 USD). Of course we recommend the Breville Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($139.00 USD) - there's something matronly and elevated, about it. But what about the Breville? You'd expect it to spit out coffee.

JP 2016/09/08
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Programming

Rate: $10,000.00 USD / hour

Your Goldmund Sachs mid-tier may charge you $300,000.00 USD / year for service. Your off-Wall St. top-wring, $3,000,000.00 USD / year.

JP

Food for Thought

Ok. We were walking by a girl on the seawall today, going for beer, and it got us thinking? What would our rate be? Everyone has their price.

If you are an 8 (8.4), then we would charge $5,000,000.00 for sex. No condom on. That would be a tidy daily income, and enough to fore-go inflation. We'd charge $8,000,000.00 for impregnation, with a no-ward stipulation. You've got to be an 8.

Of course prostitution isn't legal in Canada. Actually, it is. It's important how you spend your time and that you don't get diverted. The Canadian government allows free accommodation holders (those living in fully Government paid housing) to work as as prostitutes without declaring their income.
It's class warfare, the entire system.

Now many we know are on social assistance. We're confident working to our Mansa Musa rate.

How you spend your time is your own business. How we spend our own is a foregone conclusion.

That was a 1.5 hr concept. That is, 1 hr (total walk: 10 km, 1.5 hrs, flip flops).

APR $5,000,000.00 day (/hr).
$1,825,000,000.00 USD.

About the same a a hedge fund manager, so at least our internal numbers are about wrought.

The message from this is that any work is work, so long as it provides sufficiently income. Everyone has their price.

JP 2015/09/23
www.hifiart.ca

Inflation is rather high, lately. Simple bracelets of last-year, $16,000.00 CDN are $20,000.00 CDN.

Dance

Dance is nice for a good body. It is poor for acting. Hire only the best, and you will not receive an undue result. For one example,


JP 2016/07/16
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Note: Shakespearean Theatre may not benefit from ballet training. You might find the movement may only betray its fundamental. HFA.

Better by Seven

Kharma Elegance S7-S Signature Loudspeaker, $21,750.00 USD. Side View.

Look at the rear of the Mercedes Benz ML 350 BlueTec ($48,350.00 USD), the muffler, particularly, and see if it does not resemble the Kharma Elegance S7-S ($21,750.00 USD).

Let's look at the Kharma Elegance S7-S Signature Loudspeaker.

Appearance is everything, when it comes to el glance, and the Elegance is not without reference to Memorex.

We already discussed the Magico S7. From it's side, it looks much better, the S7-S. There's even the feet got right which Carver, Bob used in his Amazing Line Source Loudspeaker ($23,500.00 USD) on intro - now cheaper. We'd describe "automotive" as the look to this loudspeaker.

Kharma introduced the dB9S ($36,000.00 USD) to audiophile favour, and the db7 ( ), as well. Perhaps this one's for the Mercedes S-Series fanatic, as opposed to the Aston Martin devotee. We'll see.

The look over-all is distinguished. It more a new S600 Pullman than some lament of Maybach. Though a bit short, we have to say we like this look, very well.

The look from the front is unfortunately still a coffin.

Now please don't take this in the wrong way. We were mighty pissed off when the salesman mentioned when we were thinking of buying them, that the Duntech Sovereign 2001 Loudspeaker ($15,000.00 USD) cabinets were good for caskets, after we had gone.  For reference, they are off 7 Hz in the frequency range (27Hz-20KHz ±2dB).

What is that thing on front? Is it the wave launch from the B&W 800 Series 801/802 Diamond? Why does it look so good from on-side, and so poor, from on top? :)



It's not without 9 Hz in the frequency spectrum (29 Hz to 30 kHz), the Kharma Elegance S7-S Signature Loudspeaker ($21,750.00 USD).

Coffin for a boffin?

You'd be better off with one.v ™

JP 2016/06/15
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The Greatness of Beer

Ah there is a phrase, "My Goodness, My Guinness." Guinness may be the only beer that eats like a meal. Actimeal may very well be a better start to your day. That, whipped cream, dark chocolate (Le Petite Ecolier), and a bowl of strawberries.

Forget Wheaties. give a lot to the garden.

JP 2016/07/16
www.hifiart.ca

Beer Budget

Let's take Beer and Budget into Hi Fi consideration. Evey year, we spend at Hi Fi Art, around $1,500.00 CDN on beer. That's one beer ($3.75) for every day (365), which of course is $1,368.75 CDN. Our formula is $5.00 CDN * 300, in memory of Sparta. Now, Auralic makes the Taurus Mk II for about that ($1899.00 USD). Should you wish to try our beer budget

the Taurus may very well get you there. It's not a very good amp, however (II). The cross-talk is amazing.



In exchange, we get 15,000 km. About 3000 km in direct walking (9.69 - 11.5 km per). On the nights we don't go beer walking, I notice we get about 1 hr less on the treadmill, which accounts for about 10 km lost. That's joggercize, so that actual 9.65 (606) km loss (1 hr at 6 mph), might as well account for double.

[ Check out our great review of the LiveStrong Fitness LS Pro 2 Treadmill here. ]

Daily shopping accounts for about 20 km. Today, we walked to Headphone Bar. Walking for beer, 10. And MEC. Treadmill, 20-40. Averaging 50, 300 days, we're talking about 15,000 km. A strict, 30, for 365, 10,950 km. Good shoes will get you there.

Not a lot, but 15,000 km is about right. Flip flops will, for that matter.

What's magic about 15,000? That's the price for a pair of B&W 802 Diamonds (or 805 Masseratti Edition Loudspeakers), of course: $15,000.00 USD.

What else about $15,000.00? Should you be buying a Masserati, that is about what your annual ICBC insurance will be. Unlike a Ferrari or a Lambo, a Masserati is what is known as a "daily driver" or a car you will actually get up to 15,000 km.

15,000 km isn't a lot of road. The Camino de Santiago for example (a two to four week pilgrimage walk) is approximately 800 km. 12 Caminos a year and you're in 9600 bit baud territory.

and
Cigars

CAO MX2 Cigar Review



At 6", the CAO MX2 Cigar is about 15 mm shorter than your 1€ 500 ml beer can. Shave off another 4 mm for an executive punch and you'll have your smoke. Visually, it looks about 4" but at 151 mm, that's 5.94488" which CAO calls '6.

The diameter is near 21 mm, which would give it a volume of 52,300.45 mm2, 0.05230045L, or 1.768 oz were it a cylinder. Many cigars come with tubes, which resemble plastic test tubes, but this one's just shy of a jigger (1.5 oz).

You're not going to find a cigar warmer inside your Auralic Taurus's balanced out, lighter for that matter, but you are going to find a rather good amp.

For those on a beer budget, and looking to save for a trip to Mexico,
JP 2016/06/03
www.hifiart.ca

---

Note: Auralic Aires. Now, crosstalk of Auralic Taurus Mk II Headphone Amplifier is strangely: a high, low-fi, value of 80 dB. Compared to the Oppo HA-1 Headphone Amplifier ($1,199.00 USD) at 120 dB. It's actually FM-like via the Auralic. The Adjacent Channel Attenuation of the Magnum Dynalab MD-208 is > 12 dB, 30 dB narrow, for example.  The Stereo Separation of the Magnum Dynalab MD-102 FM Receiver is actually 50 dB, to say. The SN of the Magnum Dynalab MD-208 Stereo Receiver? 80 dB.

The Sound of the Piano

Which stereo can reproduce the sound of the piano? The Fidelity Acoustics RFM-1 Bookshelf Loudspeaker ($4000.00 / pair), a notable speaker employing the ScanSpeak Revelator Ring Radiator Tweeter (same as a Magico M5) tweeter was not able to do so.

Is there even one stereo system which can do the job properly? The Steinway Lyingdorf Model D, by virtue of Steinway heritage may be able to. The Bösendorfer VC 7 may be one as well.



We've listened to quite a number of good loudspeakers. The composing is mind-absorbing.

The Bösendorfer VC7 Loudspeaker ($25,000.00 USD) uses resonant plates ("Acoustic Sound-Boards"), mimicking a piano's sound board. The use of two tweeters is an interesting feature. It's almost proto-Genesis (the speaker, not the band), so to say. Sony uses two tweeters too (surrounding) on it's Sony SA-NA2ES ($5,000.00 USD), and coincident models, although not on their Sony SA-AR-1 and Sony SA-AR-2 ($20,000.00 USD) Loudspeakers, too.

Reproducing the piano is a glorious extremity. The frequencies on the keys themselves (on a non-Bösendorfer Imperial Piano ($200,000.00 USD), which has lower) go from 27.5 Hz (A0) to 4,186.01 Hz (C8), standard (equal temperament) tuning. This is ignoring the over-tones, and the sound of the organ stops. An organ will go lower, to 16 Hz. There is ignoring foot-pedal work, also - the thuds and jumps. Now in terms of latant response, 60 - 100 dB.

There can be reproduction with some over-play.

The Steinway Lyngdorf Model D goes for $208,000.00 USD today (and was introduced for $150,000.00 USD in 2007).

Most pianists will prefer the Steinway Model D, which is tuned at 442 Hz, standard, although some will go for a Fazzioli F308.

We'd prefer the Bösendorpher Imperial Grand, in gold leaf, though are settling with two bottles of 311 Helles Lager by Coal Harbour Brewing Company, CHBC, with which to write this review.

There was a Fazzioli, the Brunei, which mimicked the sound of the Bosendorpher IG by presenting a darker sound, though we have not heard it. We would like one, however. Perhaps with less in-lay. :)

How you make your piano is up to you.

Steinway Pianos
www.steinway.com

Bosendorfer Pianos
www.boesendorfer.com

Fazioli Pianos
www.fazioli.com

JP 2016/06/24
www.hifiart.ca

The Importance of Every Day Living

In "Beer in a Day" we talked about the importance of every day living. Of enjoying life, every day, or if we are not, at least re-setting our paradigm ... so we have at least moments of great expectation.

Rather than Great Expectation, then, let us talk of the Unbearable Lightness of Being. It is a great movie. Rather apt

JP
www.hifiart.ca

Better

Robert Koda

Robert Koka Takumi K-10 Preamplifier
Robert Koda Takumi K-70 Preamplifier and Monoblock Amplifiers

Technical Brain

Technical Brain TBP-Zero/EX Preamplifier
Technical Brain TBP-Zero/EX Monoblock Amplifier

BAlabo

BAlabo BC-1 Mk-II Preamplifier
BAlabo BP-1 Mk-II Amplifier

You want better than good sound.

The Importance of Every Day Design

In "The Design of Everyday Things" Norman pointed out the visual and esthetic importance of everyday things which habituate our living world (liebensveld).

Take the Lamborghini Galardo, 650-4. In the present lineup, the Asterion LPI-910-4 is a bit nice, a bit Fisker Karma. Sort of happy, jovial, and inviting a country ride. Models such as the Hurrican - seem riddled with fire-control switches - utterly useless - and taken from Military design criteria, to appeal to the male. We liked the Egotiste, however. Aghast at the Aventador. Only the Veneno Roadster seems owner-ship worthy. And that's four million Canadian (CDN). $4.0M.



It's thus that you begin to appreciate the everyday things, and how properly they are made. Take the Gilette Fusion Pro Glide Razor - not the ridiculous one with the ball taken from the ... - but the Fusion Power. How much work went into that? Or you everyday pair of Chinese Stainless barber shears - how the interior of the handle is a different colour from the outside - what design -how Lamborghini Aventador!


It's a pity that not much in Hi Fi has a budget for design. It's often trudged out as a blatant after-though - or so secondary from good design that only the most marginal of products are hailed as design revolutions, and are circled with awe in trade shows.

The Phantom Menace

The Devialet Phantom looks like a vacuum, but certainly isn't. Some would say it sucks, but we certainly don't. Tools like the Fisker, ok, Dyson, suck unbelievably. Cheap unbelievable plastic, selling for dollars on your 10 cents.

There's cheap, mounded plastic, and there's ABS.



Remember the Electrolux, of old?

2016/06/15
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JP

Concept Life

What is the ideal concept in Open Living? Is it something like this? Gym and massage table.



JP 2015/08/15
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Salvaged Wood: The KEF 103/4 Loudspeaker Choice

When you look at the KEF 103/4 today, you really think Salvaged Wood. Like the Fisker, something that's been at the bottom of a lake. What an interesting concept, Fisker had, in terms of automotive interiors. To take eco-friendly materials, and yet present levels and choices in finish to the consumer, along with high-technology (a better than MacBook Pro dash - brighter, more readable... a solar roof, amazing... not to mention a gas / electric engine), and present it at an attractive price.

The KEF's of '92 were much alike. While nothing, today, the Uni-Q driver was really a breakthrough, and presented well in the Reference KEF 103/4. That's not a key-signature, or a time-signature, for that matter, but a moniker of value.

You could likely pick up a set today for $103/04 and that's truly salvaging wood. We're the tweeter all-right, you'd be leaving place in your budget for your date and some latex - Merging Technologies Horus - abandon.

Royce would likely be the music you'd listed to this on.

Now of course it's not wood nor your penis, but something out of Popular Electronics - mere MDF covered in a finish known as "Dark Oak" - looks really poor in person - only the drivers have some merit. However for about the price of a ticket - to the Merrit Mountain Music Festival - you'd be in in high fidelity, almost John Cusack style.

How's about that for High Fidelity?

Replace the feet with spikes and you're set to go!

JP 2016/06/19
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Shun Premier Bread Knife

The Shun Premier Bread Knife ($238.00 USD) is incredibly sexy. It's about 1/3rd too short (9" blade, decent handle). In composition, it's a bit like a whale, pointing up. It would be best if it's flat. Rather, it's angled, like a traditional mezzaluna herb slicer. It might be right for a French roll, the S.P.B.K., but we can't say it's right to wet a baguette - cut bread, that is.

Were the Shun Premier Bread Knife 1/3rd longer (it's got a stiff blade, with only a bit of play (movement, side to side), if you flex it),  and straight, rather than angled up, we'd say it would be about right for pineapple.

The lovely Damascus pattern and scalloped knife edges mimic or play compliment to the rough, textured exterior skin of a Dole Hawaiian Gold (best tasting) pineapple - which will (along with Mandarin oranges) do wonders for your semen.



Taste the difference a nice blade can make. Enjoy the wonders of your food with a Fresh slice of pompous indifference to the arrogance to your taste.

HP sauce may simulate blood, coagulated, along with Heinz Ketchup, should you be in the indie film business, and Shun Steak Knives make ideal Veggie Tales companions, should you be the parenthood circle.

How you enjoy the bread knife is up to you, but Shun Knives make some fine traveling companions.

We'd say sharpen only with a wet stone (Shun makes a 1000, 6000 grit, along with a 1000. 300 for the unendeared) ... properly shapened.