Bottlehead Crack

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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited June 2015
    LOL sorry I working 10 hours a day and I went to bed early to get up at 3:10am. and I just now got home, here is the link ;)

    http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=4812.0
    3sqo8glhrn9b.jpg

    I got a few streaks in my clear coat on top. may have to do more sanding when I got more time,
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Aaron, why did you use 4 caps at 6-7U & 9-10U? over just 2 caps that were normally there?
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Great job! Looks a heckuva lot better than mine. How does it sound? (Sorry if i missed your comments)
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Thanks!
    So far i think it sounds really good, it seems to be mellowing out as it gets some burn in time. using a old Chinese tube for the 12AU7's for now but Snow is sending me 4 nice tubes for it B)

    After I've listen to it some more I will do the SpeedBall upgrade.

    The Top plate has a Gold hammer paint on it that doesn't show up in the pictures.

    I bought some silver & Gold hammered paint and could not decided which to use, so I asked George to pick for me and it came up tails for the gold.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Well done. I was so pleased - just using the tube that came with the kit - that I haven't rolled a single tube. Love the sound, crave the sound, not gonna mess with the sound.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    voltz wrote: »
    Aaron, why did you use 4 caps at 6-7U & 9-10U? over just 2 caps that were normally there?

    I'll give that away if you tell more about the base you did - that's very nice! Stained? What color? What finish?

    On to my cap multiplication problem...
    Film vs. Electrolytic - therein lies the 1/2 the answer. Cost is the other 1/2, and fit is the last 1/2. In most cases a film cap in that spot would be preferable. Electrolytic fits the technical spec but a film cap should sound better. Go check prices on a 100uf film cap....ouch. Then check the size of a pair of 100uf film caps against the room you have left after a speedball upgrade.

    So, "tip" (put in parallel) your electrolytic with a much smaller film cap. I think the going spec on that is roughly 10% of the value of the electrolytic. You should get the technical spec met (that extra 10% isn't going to matter) and quite possibly get the sound of the film cap without the huge cost of a full film cap and no where near the problem fitting them in the existing base.

    If you got carried away you could easily double the cost of the Crack just in a pair of 100uf film caps. On the bottom end of cost I'd guess somewhere in the $30 each range. I put 100uf Clarity caps in my first build - the "blue balls".

    jxhz8tgowc45.jpg


    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,504
    edited June 2015
    voltz wrote: »
    LOL sorry I working 10 hours a day and I went to bed early to get up at 3:10am. and I just now got home, here is the link ;)

    http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=4812.0
    3sqo8glhrn9b.jpg

    I got a few streaks in my clear coat on top. may have to do more sanding when I got more time,

    Nice! I'm thinking of going with your top color. I'll either get some nice Wisconsin wood from Aaron's brother for the base (like Maple to match the turntable) or get some Black Limba to match my speakers.

    My Eros is scheduled for delivery today, then I'll be building after the painting.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited June 2015
    the stain I used was "J.E. Moser's Cherry Amber" 1oz water-soluble stain I got from amazon. but now they only seem to have it in 4oz's. 1oz makes a quart of stain that is water soluble and you mix it with 4 cups I think of hot water and let it cool to room temp before using , only used 2 coats and it did blotch a little bit.
    some recommended using a pre-stain like minwax, but they say dont follow instructions that say stain within 2 hours of using pre-stain, or it will still blotch..need to wait a full day then apply stain.

    I have some minwax oil stain I'm going to use on my DIY speakers, but thought I'd try the water based one and liked it for the smaller box.

    here is a link to the clear coat I used, now I had no idea what the he$$ i was doing when I tried this as I'm a sheetmetal guy and I'm new to working with wood.
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C010J8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

    And I now understand why you did it that way on the caps!
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    DSkip wrote: »
    One thing is certain: gold is making a comeback. Remember my pre/monos? ;)

    Your Pre/Mono's were the best looking SET of Mono-block's I have seen B)
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    here is another link with some advise I saw that sound good,

    http://woodworker.com/water-soluble-lt-gold-oak-aniline-dye-mssu-843-924.asp

    it said --> Prior to use, lightly dampen wood, allow to dry and sand with 220 grit sandpaper to control grain raising.
    Can be applied with brush, cloth, spray or dipping and used under most finishes.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,116
    voltz wrote: »
    LOL sorry I working 10 hours a day and I went to bed early to get up at 3:10am. and I just now got home, here is the link ;)
    3sqo8glhrn9b.jpg

    I got a few streaks in my clear coat on top. may have to do more sanding when I got more time,
    Holy crap man! You made this?!? You don't give yourself enough credit! It looks GREAT!!!
    I disabled signatures.
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    I will be doing mine in this order.
    -pre stain
    -2 applications of cherry oil based stain
    -3 applications semi gloss poly
    -cat

    It "should" look good with my black plate. I'm also going to paint the screw heads high gloss black rattle can.

    m0yhpjkr6p5f.jpg
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    edited June 2015
    The problem with the wood they provide is that is has very little character, no grain - it's kinda "flat" looking compared with other woods. Getting even a nice "blotch" in there is looks nice to me!

    @Voltz - "I'm a sheetmetal guy" - I...a...have another project and it involves a 6"x10" sheet of stainless. It has etching on it from a laser burner so I don't want to paint it. Best way to polish this stuff - if you know? I'm clueless as I'm more a wood guy. Anyone??? Any ideas?

    I use that technique of wetting the wood before final sanding. I first get it down almost to perfect then run a wet towel over it - don't soak it down, that won't help and let it dry. That will raise the grain and with some fine 220 or better sandpaper you can really get a nice pre-finish surface. If I don't like how it comes out I hit it again.

    @SCompRacer - is it done, is it done, is it done, is it done....!!!!

    @mrbiron - I don't think the cat is going to enjoy that final finish but I bet it would make a great youtube video!
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    Oh, for fark sake..."You earned the Name Dropper badge".

    I'm so proud of myself... :(
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    I not aloud to touch the skin's finish as I form - saw -rout -drill -burr but not polish the parts, but I have seen the engine Cowl's that have been polished to look like a mirror. Those people are across town so I not sure who to ask how its done. But it can be done.

    Thanks Scott, but its like me. it looks better from a distant :p

    Mr.Biron..nice plan... But the Cat was cool B) and he never said a mumbling word!
    I need to ship you my speakers so you can finish it for me :)

    SCompRacer: Eros looks like a lot of work, but that is going to be a nice Phono amp and matching your TT would be sweet.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,116
    mrbiron wrote: »
    I will be doing mine in this order.
    -pre stain
    -2 applications of cherry oil based stain
    -3 applications semi gloss poly
    -cat

    It "should" look good with my black plate. I'm also going to paint the screw heads high gloss black rattle can.
    LOL, you gotta make sure you add the cat while the poly's still tacky!

    that sounds like a sweet combination, too.
    I was telling Voltz, when I happened across this thread initially, I didn't even know what these things were for at first, but when I saw the photos and then saw "last day" I thought to myself, I don't know what that is, but I definitely need one!
    talked myself out of it, but now I wish I hadn't - fantastic frenzy here, fellas. what a great little project.

    now I'm curious about headphones and how these things actually sound!
    I disabled signatures.
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    The Crack Head phone amp likes high impedance headphones like the Sennhieser cans that are like 300-600 ohms. I have the Senn HD-650's and love them!

    but head phones like the Grado & HiFiMan's which are like 32 ohms don't sound very good with it.. I have the Grado Rsi2's but prefer the Sennhieser sound better.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,116
    edited June 2015
    that's a completely separate tunnel of "the hole" for me.
    I've only ever used old Koss, Sansui SS-10's (both back when I was a kid late 70s/80s; made my little brother use the Koss; the earpads were shot so it was wiremesh right on the ears), earbuds, and my dailys, the Bose TP-1A's. so I'd need some proper headphones to appreciate something like that, but I'd really like to give it a shot at some point.

    biggest problem with this hobby - I want to try everything.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    Yeah, again, I only have some Philips Fidelios.
    I think I'm going to be late to the party if I don't buy me some headphones!
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    DSkip wrote: »
    Crack Cat:

    f9a71d1e6b0ce9ee1c07c341a6e56b53.jpg

    The funny thing is, I always tell my cat, "lose the big eyes, you're going to scare the children!" I really do. That cat is gnarly.
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    ALL212 wrote: »
    jxhz8tgowc45.jpg
    Pontoon party amp!
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    Holy crap - you're right! And if I'd have used 3 33uf caps on a side....the damn thing would probably float!

    Let's see - hollow out the transformer and hinge the bell so we have a cooler for the beer...

    B)
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    I know i wasn't invited but that maiden voyage can take place without me :p
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    I'm sitting on my mower waiting for my pre stain to dry.... Who made me buy this thing?! :(

    alfmrwh3e6f7.jpg
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Please refer to beer thread.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    Oh....right. :p

    My goal is to get that thread to surpass the pictures thread in views. I got a long way to go...


    I will say this. The wood in this kit, just like my reduction, is crap. I will be replacing further down the road with something a little less boring.,.........who am I kidding, I'll just deal with it.
    First stain complete. I will apply again tomorrow. Then poly all weekend.
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    mrbiron wrote: »
    I know i wasn't invited but that maiden voyage can take place without me :p

    Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale
    a tale of a fateful trip,

    Not sure why you're not willing to take the plunge with us? :p

    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    Will there be deli meat platter?...if so, consider me there!
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,504
    edited June 2015
    Why ask why? Why ask who? We usually blame Aaron. lol

    I started painting my top plate and tranny top. Decided on gloss black due to going with maple wood case. It will match my TT with maple skirt. Good old Wisconsin grown and cured wood from Aaron's dad I believe.

    Funny story about the walnut corner accents. Long before I got tired of the all black plinth, I had used maple for the arm boards, also from Aaron. When I posted pics at Lenco Heaven, some fellow that hated brown went on and on about how much better it would look without the maple. When I told Aaron and his brother that story when the maple sides were being cut and planed down, they came up with walnut corner accents for the hater. (I love the way they think). lol

    Lenco_skirt_2.jpg
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • ALL212
    ALL212 Posts: 1,577
    If that thing doesn't raise your tone arm you must be dead. :D
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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