Recent content by Helen Bach

Colour, in all its connotations, helps the world go around. I have many turntables of the same make, and it's a pain trying to remember which is which when it comes to maintenance, etc. So I have given all a different colour (well, the main 7 anyway) and started log books for them. Life is a...

I was given a sample of hardened epoxy resin to evaluate its solubility. As I was working in a science lab. I had all solvents at my disposal. Nothing, I repeat nothing would dissolve (note, the word is dissolve, not 'melt') hardened epoxy resin that I tried, a 'fact' that seems to be the...

I heard it last year sometime. I remember thinking it was a ludicrous idea, especially for all those with decent radio tuners who like classical music and in-car entertainment centres (radios!) which I listen to whenever driving. Things might have changed, as there is an election on the horizon...

nothing wrong with being grumpy, I keep telling my partner, again and again!! Radio 3 has changed a few things recently, especially afternoons when I tend to listen to it (weekdays). Isn't it about time we sent the Beeb a message? They are turning off R3 FM in the Autumn (I think) which means...

My partner and I went to the 'Sidmouth Folk Festival' a few years ago (as we do every year) to hear Bert Jansch play. Before his gig, another group entertained us. At the end of their set, one member shouted 'ah, forgot the 'talking drum'. And another member of the group played a small drum...

I was listening (at quite a loud volume) to a recording (on the radio) Of Copland's "Fanfare for...." when the bass drum was hit, and I could determine (almost) the size of the hall the orchestra was playing in. I could hear the 'flapping' of the bass drum, which I've only heard in live concerts...

I've no Naim gear, or Linn ('cept for a couple of the 'cheap' arms and a K18 bodied AT95, with Black Diamond nude elliptical, and 'lovin' it). What am I missing? Just less than the square root of damn-all!

Recommended company and products. Been dealing with them for 15 years (not all audio). Just bought 1.5kg of 1mm dia silver plated copper wire (not for audio use, though).

not about interconnects, but a recent cable/connector experience that made me think. We have a TiVo system for TV. For about 5 days recently, it didn't work. We called for an engineer. He had a very sophisticated meter for measuring things. Eventually, he traced one fault to a connector outside...

talking of old computers, mine is a defo 'Triggers brush'. 4 or 5 replaced mother boards, 3 power supplies, 4 or 5 'Audiophile' bidirectional audio boards, video board and five hard discs (now being replaced with SSD's) and numerous keyboards. Running the latest Ubuntu software, beautifully. But...

loved watching the ol' fireplace... such great sound, too!

Branston for British turntables, Heinz for all others. Note Heinz old recipe if vintage turntable!

they reckon tins of baked beans are the best.

I don't swap cartridges, either, although I have several turntables, arms, cartridges and styli. There is no doubt (in my experience, anyway) that different styli give different results with different records (and music genre, but that is for another day!). The down side is that not all...

I'd rather keep off the pace with my Lenco (often described as having significant PRaT) with no problem Cambridge amps (on 24/7 (standby when asleep, though)) and 'speaker which don't have booming bass or spitting treble. But what would I change? The Rega arm if I could make a better one (in the...