A Bittersweet Day for Me
Moose68Bash
Posts: 3,843
A bit over a year ago, my dear friend Dr. Joseph A. Arena, Jr., passed away. I was honored to deliver the eulogy at his funeral service. He was that rare combination of the great and the good in humanity that we see too rarely -- a surgeon who dedicated his life to saving others, who trained others to do the same, and who generously shared his wealth, knowledge and skills with others.
Dr. Arena was also an audiophile for about six decades. Over the last two decades, he and I shared listening sessions (not often enough), conversation about music and stereo equipment, and worked on a few DIY projects together. He fervently believed that the human voice was the finest musical instrument by far, and he believed its greatest expression was in the realm of opera.
Today, I learned that he had told his wife of decades that I should be given wharever of his stereo equipment and above all his music collection that one of his nephews, also an audiophile, chose not to take.
My wife and I went of his home this morning and, while fighting back tears, sorted through his accumulated wealth of music -- probably 500 CDs, a few hundred LPs, and electronics for at least two complete stereo systems plus miscellaneous individual items, one of which was a vintage McIntosh MC240 amplifier.
We brought home the McIntosh amp, an Akai stack (CD player, equalizer, integrated amp) and a Bose speaker system. We also brought home several boxes of CDs, DVDs (mostly of operas and operettas, as well as "The Great Courses" series), books on tape and a wealth of other things. Obviously, I have not yet had time to go through this collection and really cannot yet fully appreciate what this gift to me means, except that I know it has given me a part of Dr. Arena.
Tonight, My wife and I selected the DVD of the BBC's program "Luciano Pavarotti: A Life in Seven Arias," and watched and listened to this documentary about the life of one of the greatest voices ever. And, of course, we thought of Joe, who would love to have listened to this with us.
As hard as it was to sift through these material possessions of the man I loved, today's experience was only the first episode of many that will keep his memory vital in my mind an my heart.
And I shall be grateful for this gift as long as I live.
Dr. Arena was also an audiophile for about six decades. Over the last two decades, he and I shared listening sessions (not often enough), conversation about music and stereo equipment, and worked on a few DIY projects together. He fervently believed that the human voice was the finest musical instrument by far, and he believed its greatest expression was in the realm of opera.
Today, I learned that he had told his wife of decades that I should be given wharever of his stereo equipment and above all his music collection that one of his nephews, also an audiophile, chose not to take.
My wife and I went of his home this morning and, while fighting back tears, sorted through his accumulated wealth of music -- probably 500 CDs, a few hundred LPs, and electronics for at least two complete stereo systems plus miscellaneous individual items, one of which was a vintage McIntosh MC240 amplifier.
We brought home the McIntosh amp, an Akai stack (CD player, equalizer, integrated amp) and a Bose speaker system. We also brought home several boxes of CDs, DVDs (mostly of operas and operettas, as well as "The Great Courses" series), books on tape and a wealth of other things. Obviously, I have not yet had time to go through this collection and really cannot yet fully appreciate what this gift to me means, except that I know it has given me a part of Dr. Arena.
Tonight, My wife and I selected the DVD of the BBC's program "Luciano Pavarotti: A Life in Seven Arias," and watched and listened to this documentary about the life of one of the greatest voices ever. And, of course, we thought of Joe, who would love to have listened to this with us.
As hard as it was to sift through these material possessions of the man I loved, today's experience was only the first episode of many that will keep his memory vital in my mind an my heart.
And I shall be grateful for this gift as long as I live.
Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.
Comments
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That was very generous of your friend. Great karma. May he RIP.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
So sorry for the loss.
I know what this is like, so every time you power on that equipment or play any given audio, you continue honoring the memory of your dear friend.
I'm sure the good Dr. wanted you to enjoy this trusted gift..
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Very nice gesture indeed.
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Thank you for sharing.
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you know we are all for a good "score" but not at the expense of a good friend. You made a great impression and he returned the favor.
Take care if it and cherish the memories.
Ivan -
Many thanks guys.
I miss him.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Friends like Joe are few and far between, he knew you would do the same for him. Enjoy the memories.
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Thank you for sharing. So nice that you can always have this to remember him with.
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Good that you and friend had that in common. At least he could share it with someone who will treasure it after his passing. I dread the thought of my collection going to my kids. Love them that I do I just seeing it going to waste when they get it.
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Touching story, sorry for your loss. His ideas/thoughts/influence live on through you now.Onkyo TX-NR636
Main - polkaudio Monitor 60's
Center - polkaudio CSI A6
Sub - polkaudio PSW10
Sub2 - polkaudio PSW505
Surrounds - polkaudio Monitor 40 series II
Front Height - polkaudio Monitor 40's
Audio Outdoors
Pioneer VSX 406 - polkaudio Atrium 5
Shed
Sony junker str-dn2010 with Sony bookshelf floor models and polkaudio R150's
Shed 2
Nakamichi soundbar -
Great story. Thanks again for sharing. Good friends are to be cherished. It was obviously reciprocal as he left you his beloved equipment and media. His obit. read like he was very good and well loved man. Have a great day.
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maximillian wrote: »
Yes, that's his obituary. A good as it sounds, it doesn't tell the half of it.
Thanks for the kind words.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Seems to have lived a very long and full life! Leaving in your '90s is an accomplishment by itself. From the dates, part of the Greatest Generation! Sorry for your loss!Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
Great person great loss... Well wishes for allMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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Thanks, @Joey_V.
He was, as you might say, "doctor's doctor." He always gave all his patients his home phone number and took calls any time, night or day. You know what that means!
I was told over 1000 people -- former patients, colleagues, friends, former students -- attended his retirement reception.
He left his mark on the world, and he left a living legacy in all the doctor's he trained in surgery.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Awesome story. I hope my time on this earth means half of that to anyone.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Phil. He sounds like a wonderful person and I'm sure you'll keep his memory alive with his music and gear.
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The man obviously thought as much of you as you did of him.
Try to enjoy without the sadness, that's what he would want his friend to do.humpty dumpty was pushed -
Condolences... And congrats on the MC240The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
@xzmi, @motorstereo, @scottyboy76, and @nooshinjohn,
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
The MC240 needs to be carefully checked out before I attempt to use it. I plan to connect it with to a full set of components, first use a dim-bulb-tester on it, and if it "passes" this test, then slowly power it up with a variac device.
Some medical issues have to be gotten out of my way before I can do all this, but I really look forward to either seeing how the amp performs or fixing whatever problems emerge.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Sorry to about about your friend Moose, What he did for you is the proof of a great friendship you two had!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 -
Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
@DSkip,
Many thanks. Listening to the CDs he bequeathed me brings back memories, and I think of him for many other reasons every day.
One simple one: My wife and I entrusted him with keys and security codes for our house, which he watched for us when we travelled. He asked me to give him his own security code so that he could remember it more easily, and I did. Now, I use his code rather than my own. I won't delete it.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.
