tube fanatic

The virus may be heading us toward a time when human to human interaction will no longer be necessary. The company’s owner foresees humans marrying robots like these by 2045! https://youtu.be/NwNULnXk9b0 Maynard

In some cases only. Integrated amps are designed for fairly low level sources while some power amps require much higher drive voltages. The answer has to be considered for a particular unit in question. Maynard

If the input sensitivity of the amps allows the source to drive them to the needed output power all is well. An ideal system has as little electronics in the signal path as possible. Of course you would need to control the output voltage of the source for volume control. Maynard

A bill is in the works in NY State which, if passed, will allow the authorities to remove anyone they consider a case, contact, or carrier of a communicable disease which is potentially dangerous to public health. To my non-legal mind the implications of this are frightening. It would seemingly allow them to remove from society anyone who tests positive for coronavirus. Is this happening in other states or countries? https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a416 Maynard

I understand. However, why should faculty and hospital staff be exempt? Isn’t that a form of discrimination against the students? Maynard

Nursing students must take vaccine or leave the program while faculty and hospital staff are exempt: https://bronx.news12.com/trinitas-nursing-students-file-petition-challenging-decision-to-make-covid-vaccine-mandatory Maynard

A new virus mutation has originated in California: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-strain-in-los-angeles-could-be-driving-regions-virus-surge-study-suggests-2021-01-19/ Maynard

How can you hold them accountable when they supply almost all of our needs? If they cut off our electronic components, PPE, etc. we are dead in the water. Maynard

The CDC says that 94% of those who have died with the virus had underlying medical issues. So how can you imply that none of 400,000 would have died had they not been infected with the virus? What is the basis of your presumed conclusion that all would still be alive if the virus didn’t exist? I have been told that if a person tested positive within 30 days of dying in an auto accident, as one example, the cause of death is attributed to the virus. This does not mitigate the seriousness of the situation. Rather, I believe the media are using a strategy of creating fear and panic. Maynard

Virus variant from Denmark is now 25% of California cases. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/18/world/covid-19-coronavirus Maynard

Suggesting that a tube amp can be used as a “tone control” may open up a heated discussion😁. Of course, I agree with doing that. In my experience, SETs are a blessing when listening to rotten recordings. In addition, listening level can be critical as well. Simply reducing the listening level can make a difference because of the response of our ears (look up the equal loudness curves aka Fletcher-Munson effect). Even lowly tone controls, as found on much vintage gear, can be very useful. The bottom line is that there is usually a way to listen to rotten recordings in a palatable manner. Maynard

The Little Sweet Potato SEP spud: Maynard

The vaccine may reduce symptoms but not stop transmission. Human challenge studies are needed to find out. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2020/12/covid-19-vaccines-transmission.html Maynard

The CDC says the UK variant will take over here by March: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cdc-new-more-infectious-strain-of-the-coronavirus-likely-to-become-dominant-in-the-us-by-march-2021-01-15 Maynard

And Charles Barkley says: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/charles-barkley-nba-nfl-players-vaccine Maynard

The AMA said: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/are-physicians-obliged-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19 Maynard

The paragraph about masks is especially relevant. The CDC approval of cloth face coverings has been flawed from the beginning. Most of the coverings I see folks wearing in stores won’t filter bacteria let alone a virus. And there is the corollary issue of seeing people wearing face shields without a mask underneath as well as employees and shoppers keeping their noses exposed. I believe we are in a “lost cause” situation with virus containment and the vaccine won’t make much of a difference. I already know of folks who are celebrating because they got vaccinated and “won’t have to take precautions much longer.” Maynard

Well, this is certainly interesting. It is a long read but worth doing imo: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/coronavirus-lab-escape-theory.html Maynard

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Craters and Freighters. I have used them to ship old console radios and their packaging could have survived an airplane drop: https://www.cratersandfreighters.com/ Maynard

NJ wants schools to stay open but teachers are not yet eligible for the vaccine. Two million smokers are being given priority: https://www.nj.com/education/2021/01/its-time-to-let-nj-teachers-get-covid-vaccine-lawmakers-say.html Maynard

I can’t help wondering if we are quickly heading toward the scenario portrayed in the novel 1984: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/technology/coronavirus-vaccine-apps.html In May, the ACLU raised concerns about this: https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/coronavirus-immunity-passports-are-not-the-answer/ Maynard

I’m sure the bioterrorism labs have already started working on it : https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/index.html Life will sure be more challenging from now on imo. Thanks for making my day Bosco😁. Maynard

If you only hear the hum when you are near the amp, and do not hear it with your ear in front of the woofer, it is likely a little power transformer hum which is not unusual. Maynard

Yes, I am familiar with it. It is primarily a degreasing agent which will remove all lubrication from a potentiometer resulting in a worse situation than you had in the first place. Lots of complaints about this from the tech community. Research it if you want more details. But, if you like it I will not try to change your mind..... Maynard

When you consider the typical dietary advice we are given by our doctors, these studies are exceedingly enlightening: https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(20)34727-2/fulltext https://mbio.asm.org/content/11/4/e01723-20 https://res.mdpi.com/d_attachment/jcm/jcm-09-02589/article_deploy/jcm-09-02589-v2.pdf The media should be all over this making the public aware of the thinking of these scientists. As a society we should be trying anything which has even a slight chance of improving the odds and not waiting for a green light from those who have put themselves in control of our destiny. End of rant for today! Maynard