Whats on your turntable tonight?

Thanks to each of you who've expressed your concern. It's certainly helped my angst!

As Montepilot says, the good news is that its only money: no one was hurt, the cartridge can be replaced. (And thanks for sharing your story, Montepilot.) The better news is that a replacement cartridge is on it's way.

Regarding CD, I actually do have a CD player: a 15+ year old Rotel RCD 855. Completely inoffensive and far outclassed by current technology. The CD collection here is for sure the more limiting factor: 4,000 LPs, but at best only 50 CDs.

As to the Klimo harpsichord LP (Klimo Open Window OW001), I find it very enjoyable: an interesting selection of music, very well played by the inimitable Alfred Gross on three different harpsichords (each pretty different in character than the other), and very naturally recorded. This is certainly one of the better harpsichord records in my collection.

Another solo harpsichord LP I think is well recorded and listenable (and that is still available from Acoustic Sounds and perhaps others) is the Reference Recordings LP of Ramaeu performed by Albert Fuller (RR 27). Unlike the Klimo, this is a very close-up recording, which has its pluses and minuses. But it well captures the tonality of this instrument.
.

Montepilot,
I read of your interest in the Klimo Open Window Edition of the all harpsichord music. I tend to agree with you that LP's like this can be an acquired taste. But, if you are so inclined, I would like to recommend another that I have found very enjoyable and not at all tedious: It is an LP of works for the harpsichord and flute by the Baroque era composer Boismortier and it is on the Northeastern University Records label. I see used copies of it turn up from time to time as I believe it may be out of print. (I am away from my record collection as I write this so I cannot give you more details). It is well worth seeking out.

Slipknot1
Thank you for the recommendation. Northeastern University is not far from me here in Boston. There is a local music store here, Rayburn's, that sells and repairs intstruments for the Boston Symphony and many famous jazz musicians who pass through. They also carry Northeastern's catalog of CD's. I am going to see if they can assist me in locating the Boismortier on vinyl. A long shot I know but I will still try.
Regards,

Montepilot,
I worked for Northeastern University from 1979-1986, while living in Wayland, MA. At that time of course, their entire catalogue was in vinyl. If you find yourself near Huntington Ave, I would even suggest you contact the Music Department, or better yet NU records directly. It would not surprise me if there may be some of the vinyl still kicking around. Many of the recordings on their label were very well done. Best of luck in your quest!

Rushton and Slipknot1, Yesterday I received both my 6SN7GTB's from andy at Vintage, my copy of "Il Cornetto" and "Stationen deutscher Cembalomisik" from Elusive Disc. Need I suggest it was quite the evening.

First off, the replacement of the Chinese Electron tubes was nothing less than stunning in every way. The smoothness and control of those old Sylvania valves from top to bottom was a huge step forward. They show consistent attention to detail throughout the presentation with a much nicer resolve of the tonality. I should have done this a long time ago! My Atma's sound gorgeous.

On to "Il Cornetto", Thank you gentlemen. The Klimo records are truly of excellent pressing quality and were nicely mastered. The performance was an unusual mix of instruments in tonality and texture (new to my ears) very pleasing and gently engaging. The acoustics were very nice, intimate but of a large enough scale to let all the instruments breath adequately. On both the third and seventh track on the first side I was struck by the clean, clear brassiness and scale (like that of a flugelhorn possibly?) of the lute. The contrast of the harpsichord and chamber organ played together is something I have not heard before and liked very much. Overall for me the experience was one of pleasure in the juxtaposition of musical caricatures and the interplay. Wow! Do I wish I had been there for the live performance. So often large scale symphonic works are lost on these ears. I don’t get it and they don’t move me, conversely these little gems are a joyful treasure IMHO. Cheers!