Post a picture of your most recent purchase....(not poker chips) (10 Viewers)

Got these hand pads today. My 12 YO son is taking Karate and is going from his green to purple belt soon. He enjoys going to Karate class. His punches are a little weaker than they should be and they don’t seem to have a lot of force behind them. So I figured I’d get these hand pads from Amazon so I can practice with him at home. They had pretty good ratings so I got them.
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karate kid GIF
 
Partly birthday gift to myself, partly "I'm 'using' my annual leave that will go away once I properly leave my old job" and partly because I've always wanted a piece from this movie, I finally added a piece of original, used in the production of, cel(s) from the landmark anime movie AKIRA:

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This is the scene almost immediately after Testuo wrecks his motorcycle after coming across the esper Takashi (no. 26). Kaneda, the leader of the Capsules motorcycle gang comes across the aftermath and rushes to Tetsuo's aid while looking up at Takashi.

The screenshot from this very moment in the movie:

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The only "problem" I have with this is the cel with the third Capsules member is missing from this specific group. Odds are I'll never find it, but I'm mostly OK with it. The pair with the two protagonists from the story is pretty good and should frame up nicely when I get around to taking this to my preferred framer (along with a mountain of other pieces that really should have the same treatment).


My only complaint is that I came across a second piece that I almost like better than this one and see it's currently in shipment and part of the way here. I should have that one in hand once I get home from my next shift up at the observatory.



Crazy, stupid amazing and brilliant hobby this whole animation art thing. My bank account wishes I hadn't started down that path. It's about as bad as this whole chip thing we all do. :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
 
We upgraded from a Volkswagan Tiguan diesel to a newer hybrid model petrol/electric as we mostly do short trips within the range of one charge. I’m loving it, driving like an old lady now, trying go as far/regenerating as much as possible. First step before going fully electric maybe.

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Anybody here into two channel audio? Back in the day when I had no money, I used to drool over high end equipment. Had a subscription to Stereophile magazine and looked forward to receiving it every month. When I wrecked my first car at 19 I actually put about half my insurance settlement into buying a mid level (1977) Technics system. Used that for many years, then after marriage and kids, moved on to multi-channel AV systems. The Technics gear is actually packed away in a storage unit, and will be pulled out someday to see if it all still works...

Well, now I'm retired and I'm planning my man-cave, poker room, etc. And I figure that room should have a serious listening space also. Really wasn't planning on adding any gear until the build-out was further along. But a few weeks ago I got a bug and started looking at stuff on FB marketplace and eBay, and googling various gear.

Even though the man cave is still months (or more?) away, I do have an office where I spend a lot of time. So I decided to go ahead and buy my first real amp now, so I can at least listen to better quality streaming. I decided on a 2005 era Marantz model PM-15S1. This thing is a beast, weighing in at over 40 pounds due to the huge power supply and transformer, large capacitors and heat sink. As a source for high quality digital input I bought a Wiim Pro Plus.

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Obviously, presentation is not the strong point here. LOL. Making due with the space I have now so I can temporarily use this. I had a decent pair of PSB Alphas from the 90s tucked away, and the system really sings for now. Next I'll be auditioning speakers. And focusing on the man cave build out. Then I'll add a turntable and pull all my old vinyl out of storage. I'll probably commision @alecnetwoodworks to build me a custom audio shelf unit. Gonna be a fun time. Oh, and I already have the bug to upgrade the amp down the road. I'm drooling over various listings for Luxman amps from Japan.
 
Anybody here into two channel audio?
Yezzir. Here’s my most recent upgrade. Huge step up from the NAD 7240PE I had before. In love with this thing.

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Using it to drive these lovely lovely Vandys

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IIRC there was an audiophile thread at one point but it wasn’t poppin
 
Yezzir. Here’s my most recent upgrade. Huge step up from the NAD 7240PE I had before. In love with this thing.

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Using it to drive these lovely lovely Vandys

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IIRC there was an audiophile thread at one point but it wasn’t poppin
Sounds like our tastes run somewhat similar. When I started my research, the NAD Power Envelope amps were at the top of my list. That Sansui is a monster too. Has it been restored? I decided I didn't want to deal with true vintage, which led me to the more modern Marantz, a unit that still produces a very vintage like sound, but hopefully won't need to be recapped anytime soon.

When I start auditioning speakers, the 2ce is absolutely on my list. Again, I don't want to go all the way back to the originals. I'm targeting the 2ce signature as one that still has the original vintage sound, but being new enough to satisfy me. Also going to look at the current Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary speakers.
 

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