I'm gearing up to start the Positive Feedback Online review of the ASR Basis Exclusive phono equalizer over the weekend, but just for kicks tonight I installed my Fi 300B mono amps, Leben RS-100U line stage, and the New Valve Order SPA one phono equalizer for a little vacuum tube listening session.

What a sweet combination of gear on the Westminster Royal SEs. I'm listening to the Rodrigo Y Gabriella album that I just picked up from Acoustic Sounds and their cover of Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven is blowing my mind at the moment! If you haven't had a chance yet to hear the Mexican guitar duo of Rodrigo Y Gabriela this album is a great place to start, as it's a great recording that really showcases their incredible musicianship.

I was over visiting my buddy Chad a while back, and we were watching a recording he had made of The Civil Wars (duo of John Paul White and Joy Williams) and I was really impressed, so I ordered The Civil Wars Unplugged album from Acoustic Sounds. The LP turned out not to be as impressive as the video performance I watched at Chad's place, but it's still inspired music. So the recording's not as inspired as it could be, with both John & Joy bunched together in the middle like badly done mono. So in other words, this album isn't in the same league as the Nirvana, Eric Clapton, and Paul McCartney Unplugged albums, but it's still worth having. So I recommend it for the music, just don't expect too much from the production quality of the recording. They could have made this recording amazing and they didn't. As it is it's just great music. Guess that's not so bad is it?

Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits. This is on Chad Kassem's Analogue Productions label and it was pressed at Quality Record Pressings. Here's what Chad's website says about it:

"Cut at Sterling Sound directly from the original master tape. This was a straight transfer, bypassing the console altogether. There was no EQ of any kind. A true direct transfer, using a VMS 80, the most sophisticated lathe. You're hearing the master tape!"

This one's worth adding to your collection.

Ok, that's it for now, and now it's time to get back to listening to music for fun and enjoying Friday night!