Back from China!

joeparaski
joeparaski Posts: 1,865
edited April 2 in Clubhouse Archives
I just got back a few hours ago. Man what a trip! Here are some of the highlights:

* Chinese are terrible drivers.
* The Great Wall was absolutely amazing
* I found some SDA's (will post pictures tomorrow)
* Chinese are terrible drivers
* The Forbidden City was amazing
* The food was excellent
* Shanghai is one heck of a polluted city
* Actually saw a Ferrari/Maserati dealership (who in the heck would drive one of those cars amidst those terrible Chinese drivers
* New Shanghai is a very modern city...incredible architecture
* Public toilets are disgusting!
* I never saw so many bicycles in my life

Joe
Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited June 2006
    joeparaski wrote:
    I just got back a few hours ago. Man what a trip! Here are some of the highlights:

    * Chinese are terrible drivers.
    * Chinese are terrible drivers
    * Public toilets are disgusting!
    * I never saw so many bicycles in my life

    Joe

    Welcome back, Joe! I could have told you those without the trip. ;)

    Try driving around Monterey Park or Alhambra, California to get those proof..well, except the last one.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited June 2006
    Welcome back. Glad you had a good trip.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2006
    Bring back any toys?
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited June 2006
    I'm having a hard time sleeping....even though I've been up for about 36 hours now. So here are the pictures of the SDA's I saw in Jinan (Shangdong Province)

    SDA1.jpg


    SDA2.jpg



    Ok Ok, so THAT was the closest thing to an SDA that I saw, it's actually Shangdong Airlines. Hey, I tried looking up "Audio" and "Stereo" in the phone books but they were in Chinese. Asking the locals didn't help either.
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited June 2006
    Shizelbs wrote:
    Bring back any toys?

    I just bought souvenirs and that kind of junk, heck, it's all "Made in Japan". I was looking for a particular Nikon camera, and it was MORE expensive than I could get it here in Canada!
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • masanz1
    masanz1 Posts: 511
    edited June 2006
    welcome back...
    Matthew
    Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason


    HT

    Yamaha RX-V2500
    CS400-Center
    SDA 1A-Mains
    RT20-Surround
    None right now-Rears
    SVS 20-39PCi
    Infocus IN72
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited June 2006
    Zero wrote:
    Post some pictures. Glad to see you made it back alright? Meet any fine women? :)

    There were LOTS of beautiful women there for sure! Plenty of eye candy.


    PPC1.jpg


    That's me to the left. The 2 girls are interpreters, one French and one English. The other guy is Jacques, the designer of the powered parachutes, he's speaks mostly french.

    GW1.jpg


    This is my wife and I at the Great Wall.


    pass1.jpg



    This picture was just to show proof that drivers, at least ours, consistently pass on the left on a curve without knowing what's around the curve! It's seems to be a perfectly normal thing for them.



    NewShang1.jpg



    This is New Shanghai just across the river from Old Shanghai. That is the Pearl Tower in the center. We went to the top and got some pictures. The city has a constant "haze" around it, a combination of pollution and fog. The river is pathetically dirty and polluted.
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited June 2006
    happy ending?
    Never Forget
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited June 2006
    joeparaski wrote:
    There were LOTS of beautiful women there for sure! Plenty of eye candy.


    PPC1.jpg


    That's me to the left. The 2 girls are interpreters, one French and one English. The other guy is Jacques, the designer of the powered parachutes, he's speaks mostly french.

    Hey! Why is that Jacques guy staring at your **** when he's got two chicks in front of him???

    :D
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
    Mains: polk R30
    Center: polk CSi3
    Rear Surrounds: polk R20
    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
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  • millerman 3732
    millerman 3732 Posts: 1,488
    edited June 2006
    PolkThug wrote:
    happy ending?
    :eek: ...OH MY
    Casey
    H/T: Epson 6500ub
    Sony UBP-X800
    Toshiba HD-XA2 (HD-DVD, CD)
    Onkyo 805 (pre-amp)
    Outlaw 7125
    Polk RTi 10 (bi-amped)
    Polk CSi5 (bi-amped)
    Polk RTi6
    SVS PB 12 plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1

    TV Rig: Samsung 50'' 4k display
    Polk Signa-1 Surround bar
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited June 2006
    PolkThug wrote:
    happy ending?

    OK, I am going to ask....what the heck do you mean by "happy ending"? :D

    Did you try Pork McNuggets at McDonalds? Don't laugh, it's an actual item on the McDonalds menu there. Did you try any exotic food (besides Pork McNuggets)?
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited June 2006
    Danny Tse wrote:

    Did you try Pork McNuggets at McDonalds?QUOTE]



    dude, I might go to China now!!!!! :D
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited June 2006
    Yep, the new section of Shanghai makes our cities seem quaintly old in comparison. The view from the top of the tallest building there (one of the tallest in the world) is amazing.

    I was in Beijing last year and they had a retail Bowers and Wilkins store there. The Chinese are getting rich enough to go audiophile...
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited June 2006
    Soooo...did ya bring back some killer gear??
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,519
    edited June 2006
    The city has a constant "haze" around it, a combination of pollution and fog.
    Where's Mega Maid when you need her. That looks sick!
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2006
    Welcome back! You had to go all the way to China to discover they can't drive? They can't drive any better here, so what made you think it would be any different there?
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited June 2006
    ND13 wrote:
    Soooo...did ya bring back some killer gear??

    I found the same thing that Joe did. China proper isn't Hong Kong. Electronics and other luxury goods tend to be more expensive than on this side. And I can't afford B&W here...lol. I think they're targeted at all the newly minted millionaires and such. Although I hear there's a region free oppo player they sell in HK. I would have looked for one if I'd known when I was there.
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  • goingganzo
    goingganzo Posts: 2,793
    edited July 2006
    i went to china last year i just wnt to shanghai and i did fall in love with a few women i wanted to say i love you in chiniese but i olny know how to say it in japieniese.

    and i wish i could drive like that here in the states
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited July 2006
    goingganzo wrote:
    i went to china last year i just wnt to shanghai and i did fall in love with a few women i wanted to say i love you in chiniese but i olny know how to say it in japieniese.

    and i wish i could drive like that here in the states

    Wo Ai Ni. That's what you needed to say. ;)

    And yes, them there Chinese chicks are flat out amazing beautiful. I fell in love with one of them myself awhile back when I visited.

    And ya, they know how to drive. And on the wrong side of the road no less :D
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited July 2006
    Danny Tse wrote:
    OK, I am going to ask....what the heck do you mean by "happy ending"? :D

    One of my friends has been living there for awhile keeping an eye on a company and I get to hear all the good stories of sex and corruption. :D

    The "karaoke" bars offer a little more than karaoke. ;)
    Never Forget
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited July 2006
    PolkThug wrote:
    One of my friends has been living there for awhile keeping an eye on a company and I get to hear all the good stories of sex and corruption. :D

    The "karaoke" bars offer a little more than karaoke. ;)

    Dude... you just turned into a Polk Master with that post. How fitting too, sex and corruption being your topic of choice ;) Just kidding with ya man.

    And yes, there is more than enough sex and corruption in the Chinese world to fill the entire planet... my buddy who lived there for 12 years (8 to 20) got into more than enough houses and gangs and their, "So called Police" to have more than enough, never-ending stories... but the problem was, he was just as much trouble as the rest of them. :D
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited July 2006
    MrNightly wrote:
    Wo Ai Ni. That's what you needed to say. ;)

    And yes, them there Chinese chicks are flat out amazing beautiful. I fell in love with one of them myself awhile back when I visited.

    And ya, they know how to drive. And on the wrong side of the road no less :D

    In China they drive on the same side of the road as in North America. It's the Japanese that drive on the other side.

    And yes, there were some stunning women to look at.

    Joe
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • MrNightly
    MrNightly Posts: 3,370
    edited July 2006
    joeparaski wrote:
    In China they drive on the same side of the road as in North America. It's the Japanese that drive on the other side.

    And yes, there were some stunning women to look at.

    Joe

    In Hong Kong they drove on the wrong (left) side... I have never been to Berlin though, I always fly into HK. Mainland they are on the right side as the USA. I guess it's just HK that's backwards.
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited July 2006
    joeparaski wrote:
    In China they drive on the same side of the road as in North America. It's the Japanese that drive on the other side.

    And yes, there were some stunning women to look at.

    Joe

    Japan is crazy. It's like mini-world. A guy of my height can't get around in Japan to save my life, but the women there love us. ;)
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