The situation with the speakers (Decware HDTs) is that they are still progressing, very near to the gluing together stage. I had a few setbacks which is why I got delayed a week or two; had to order some acoustic foam and am having to find some new tube for the ports (because, it turns out, since I bought the speaker plans Decware have revised the tuning and now I need more tube!). So things will be posted on here soon.

Tubes, valves, glowing thermionic devices. My input valve (Jan Philips 6922) suddenly went microphonic last week which only left me with one nice valve (Amperex PQ 6922) which I never use because it’s on its way out, and another horrible valve (Sovtek). Posted on some forums and got some really helpful suggestions for both new valves and cheaper NOS (new old stock). So I’ll be comparing those soon, may well write something about how they all sound.

What else?

I bought a secret new device which is just amazing, but rather than reveal what it is I will do a write up.

Got a whole raft of fantastic new vinyl. Norman Records is turning out to be a really superb shop to order from, their service is just excellent. They also have a great forum where you can find lists of music customers recommend.

I’ve really lost my interest in my photography over the last year.

I don’t really know why this is but I think it may have something to do with the sheer volume of creative photography on Flickr.

The more photographs I’ve seen of everything from capturing the beautiful in a really outstanding way, to artistic interpretation of rust, decaying wood, decaying buildings, architecture, creative use of focus…everything just leaves me cold now. The only work I really was excited by was that where the photographer practically creates something new with available subjects like this but now I don’t get much of a reaction from that either now.

Anyway. I don’t think the photographs are bad, I think something’s happened to my brain to turn me off.

I am looking for a way back in. Something to reinvigorate my enthusiasm for photography. I do not want to take interpretations of things, or beautiful shots. So I’m wondering how to do something without too much thought. Maybe take reportage style photos (totally different to the kind of artistic stuff I traditionally took)? Maybe engage camera without engaging brain.

I’m genuinely looking for a technique or approach which doesn’t require me to think too much to start with. The thinking seems to turn me off. Your ideas would be most welcome.

I just wanted you to see my wife’s hand made linen bags which I think are some of the best ones she has made so far. I really like it when she does a little stitching over shapes—it is very effective and graphical in feel and I think it communicates her personality.

These are all one-off bags, if you are interested you can go on over to Etsy to buy one.

Since I wrote this post I’ve ordered more music and had to revise my opinion of a few of the shops, so here’s the revised countdown with notes, now in more of an order.

(more…)

Yes, I’m a sucker for DIY speakers! not satisfied with having built the Parker Audios and the Decware WO32 speakers I’m now building the Decware HDT “High Definition Towers”.

These used to be Decware’s flagship speakers and I’ve always wanted to build a single driver design. So far I’ve almost finished cutting the wood, just got to dry fit it and cut the internal cross pieces, then I’m ready to glue. It should be a week of glueing and they will be pretty much done.

One thing I had to do was get some new contact adhesive, as I discovered when I opened the old can that it had turned into a rock.

Expect photographs and a full write up soon!