The times they are a-changin'.....

TroyD

Well, it's been a kick in the **** this week.....got a e-mail yesterday that, MSgt(select) Dion....as the Air Force's lowest ranking MSgt, you are the lucky recipient of a one year vacation in lovely Osan, Korea. WTF? I guess it could be worse, a buddy (who is also putting on MSgt) got a one year gig in Afghanistan...so at least I got booze and golf and TLW can come visit...

So, anyway...I'm thinking about this. Obviously, I'm going to have a rig in my room, I actually get a two room suite...a living room and a bedroom. So this is what I'm thinking.....the Melos pre/Dodd phono stage are good to go. Easily packed to withstand an atomic blast. The Heathkit monos aren't a problem either, really. The Sony 555ES, I've got the original box for that and can be double boxed. What I'm leary of is the Quads and the VPI turntable.

The Quads just aren't durable goods. I don't have the boxes for them. The VPI, the plinth and so forth, not as much of an issue but the arm/cart? Nope, those are guaranteed to be FUBAR. Plus, these are vintage items so being reimbursed for them is a dicking looking for a place to happen.

So, what I'm thinking is....selling the Quad's and the VPI....and getting a pair of Maggie MMG's and a VPI Scoutmaster table. At least brand new, in box, if they dick them up....hey, they are brand new...here is the receipt.

Now, I know that the MMG's aint the Quads....and when I get back, my present to myself will be, hopefully, a newer pair of Quads (988/989)...and in the time being, from what I've read and what you guys that have had them have said, they aren't anything to sneeze at.

I dunno....just spitballing at this point. What do you guys think? (and thinking about audio is better than thinking of another gov't funded f**king vacation)

BDT

TroyD

Oh, and now I'll NEVER get the brylcreme out of the damn pillow cases.

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKK.

I wouldn't be surprised if the assignment NCO received a check with "G.B Grand" in the endorsement block.

BDT

George Grand

I'm jealous.

The truth? I think I'd be tempted to wing it with maybe a boombox. Serious as a heart attack here. Having even remotely nice stuff over there is just looking for more worry and aggravation. You'd bring back one helluva appreciation for a good rig too.

Am I going to get a "You have to move your **** out" e-mail at the end of the tour?

TroyD

Hey, at least you keep the lightbill paid and the grass mowed....

You are probably right but at least ruminating about this keeps my mind occupied over **** that A. really frosts my **** and B. can't do a damn thing about.

That's ok, though, 2 yrs 10 months after I DEROS....I'm out the front gate, middle finger in the air.

BDT

disneyjoe7

Not sure if thats ok or that sucks. All I can say good luck, make to best of it, it's not a lifetime. Always looking for the silver cloud.

George Grand

That's ok, though, 2 yrs 10 months after I DEROS....I'm out the front gate, middle finger in the air.


THAT'LL teach them.

shack

George Grand wrote:

The truth? I think I'd be tempted to wing it with maybe a boombox. Serious as a heart attack here. Having even remotely nice stuff over there is just looking for more worry and aggravation. You'd bring back one helluva appreciation for a good rig too.

I'm thinking I-Sonic with an iPod dock.

danger boy

can you pick up any of these stereo items in Japan so you don't have to ship them there then back again? Those Japanese always have cool electronics

*Oops, my bad.. you ain't going to Japan. but Korea. Nevermind. :p:p;)

TroyD

George Grand wrote: »

That's ok, though, 2 yrs 10 months after I DEROS....I'm out the front gate, middle finger in the air.


THAT'LL teach them.

I'm under no illusion that it will phase Uncle a bit...but it will make ME feel a whole lot better.

BDT

cfrizz

Wow that really rots Troy. But as you said, they could have sent you somewhere a whole lot worse.

I agree with George. I wouldn't be taking a risk having expensive gear shipped back & forth around the world. At best it might arrive in pieces,:mad: at worse, it might disappear altogether!:eek:

Isonic & Ipod is definately the way to go.

Besides, George has to have something good to listen to while he's keeping TLW company!.:eek:;):D:D:D

skipf

I think I would buy when I got there too, then sell it to somebody on the base when you leave. Prices should be much cheaper over there for asian units. Good chance to try out a Shandling tube CD & amp.

RuSsMaN

I wouldn't send that nice gear to the other side of the globe. You have any idea what they are paying for Heathkit iron over there? You might as well paint a bullseye on your back.

Get a little tube integrated and cd player that will suffice, I can hook you up with some decent bookends, done.

George Grand

I never considered his selfish attitude Sistuh, and I'm glad you exposed him for what he truly is.


You don't want to buy over there. I've been over there, and never heard of a lot of the names in the windows.

cfrizz

:eek:Cough, choke, wheeze...WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! George my food just went down the wrong tube! Are you tryin to kill me!:eek::eek::D

George Grand wrote: »

I never considered his selfish attitude Sistuh, and I'm glad you exposed him for what he truly is.

TroyD

I hear what you guys are saying.....and that's probably the way to go.

However, I'm talking the better part of two years without hifi....I dunno.

BDT

hearingimpared

TroyD wrote: »

However, I'm talking the better part of two years without hifi....I dunno.

BDT

Get an internet **** addiction, that should keep your mind off music for at least a year!:D

steveinaz

shack wrote: »

I'm thinking I-Sonic with an iPod dock.

BING-GO

TroyD

hearingimpared wrote: »

Get an internet **** addiction, that should keep your mind off music for at least a year!:D

Over a government connection? I'm thinking....uhhhh, no.

BDT

halo

just spitballing here but how about a nice set of cans with a decent headphone amp connected to a decent source?

George Grand

I'm not sure I'd want to be rockin' out with phones on when those boys rush the border. AWWW, but that'll probably never happen, right Troy?

TroyD

Jeeze, I'm talking planars and vinyl and you guys are giving me iPods and headphones?

I'm not worried AS MUCH about shipping things in original cartons, double boxed (that then go inside a wooden crate) that's not any worse than sending them via Fed Ex (which is how they got to my house in the first place). I'm MORE worried about the things that I can secure in original packaging, ie, the turntable....As far as the security goes, that's not an issue. Hell, I watch them seal the boxes and then the crate and my signature goes accross the seal. Then they move through my cargo system....so, I'm not worried about theft.

Like I said, I hear you on the damage end of it....I do. That's why I'm looking new on the speaks and table...perhaps the CD player too. However, at this point, I'm NOT considering going without a stereo rig.

BDT

unc2701

Halo read my mind. CDP, headphone Amp & some cans are gonna sound far better than any ipod dock (but ipod is still an option for source) and it's not going to get much more portable.

And if it hasn't been said yet: Dibs on the VPI!

TroyD

Realistically?

If those boys decided to come accross the 38th parallel....Osan would be toast in less time than it takes me to drop the kids off at the pool. Besides, right now, I'm less than an hour's drive from the Syrian border...with NOTHING in between. At least at Osan, I've got the 2nd Infantry Division as a buffer.

Did I ever tell you guys about how I scared Wendi the last time in Korea? Well, it's her first day there and she's tired and jetlagged and still in bed. So, I come home at noon and pick up lunch and bring it back to the room. Anyway, the noon horn goes off (it just means it 1200)...anyway, the speaker is mounted right outside my window and it's louder than hell. So, Wendi's asks what the whistle is, and I'm like it's the warning siren, we are under attack! Wendi starts flipping out. REALLY flipping out. So, I just start eating a sandwich and tell here she might want to eat one too...if we get taken prisoner, we probably won't get lunch. Funny, right? Nope, she is losing her marbles. I let this go on for a good five minutes before I tell her that it was just the noon whistle. She was NOT amused.

BDT

unc2701

Well, since you just shot down headphones, lemme throw out this idea: Gallo Ref 3's. They're durable as all hell. They're the only speakers where I thought to myself as I was lugging them up the stairs: "Hey, if I tripped right now, these guys might come out of it looking better than me"

Their only weakness is that the bottom of the grills rub against the speaker and can chip the paint off. Other that that, I'd say they could easy survive a drop off a truck in their boxes without you ever knowing anything happened.

disneyjoe7

TroyD wrote: »

Did I ever tell you guys about how I scared Wendi the last time in Korea? Well, it's her first day there and she's tired and jetlagged and still in bed. So, I come home at noon and pick up lunch and bring it back to the room. Anyway, the noon horn goes off (it just means it 1200)...anyway, the speaker is mounted right outside my window and it's louder than hell. So, Wendi's asks what the whistle is, and I'm like it's the warning siren, we are under attack! Wendi starts flipping out. REALLY flipping out. So, I just start eating a sandwich and tell here she might want to eat one too...if we get taken prisoner, we probably won't get lunch. Funny, right? Nope, she is losing her marbles. I let this go on for a good five minutes before I tell her that it was just the noon whistle. She was NOT amused.

BDT

Just shows me your years with her in marriage, how do I know I would have done the same thing myself and my wife wouldn't be amused either.

God bless both of you Troy and Wendi.

TroyD

I just have never dug headphones...I don't know why.

BDT

disneyjoe7

Hey Troy?

steveinaz

When I deployed to Turkey, I left most the big system behind. I took 1 of my 2 amps, my preamp, and a CD Player. When I arrived I bought a new pair of Polk Monitor 5jr+'s at the PX. The system sounded great.

TroyD

Keiko wrote: »

I am laughing maniacally

TDI in South Korea many times Troy. Team Spirit 81, 82 and 83. The Army called it cold weather training for us Tropic Lightning Grunts. Freezing **** cold but in retrospect it was one of the best times in my life. Stuff used to be so cheap there but I've heard its changed. Just think of all the soju and oscar you get to consume now. Take care.

Been there, done that....I was there from 98-99. I used to HATE when all you dudes rolled in for Team Spirit, Ulchi Focus Lens and so forth.....too crowded on base.

Steve? Yes?
BDT

Face

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/dealer_locator.aspx?region=asia

halo

TroyD wrote: »

Did I ever tell you guys about how I scared Wendi the last time in Korea? Well, it's her first day there and she's tired and jetlagged and still in bed. So, I come home at noon and pick up lunch and bring it back to the room. Anyway, the noon horn goes off (it just means it 1200)...anyway, the speaker is mounted right outside my window and it's louder than hell. So, Wendi's asks what the whistle is, and I'm like it's the warning siren, we are under attack! Wendi starts flipping out. REALLY flipping out. So, I just start eating a sandwich and tell here she might want to eat one too...if we get taken prisoner, we probably won't get lunch. Funny, right? Nope, she is losing her marbles. I let this go on for a good five minutes before I tell her that it was just the noon whistle. She was NOT amused.

BDT

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!