technologic

In my last post I mentioned acquiring some new gadgetry -- in our modern life of conspicuous consumption, we just can't get through another year without picking up some new electronic gizmos. Well I certainly can't seem to do so, at least.

The biggest new toy is truly a sight to behold -- it's 40" of 1080p goodness. While I was living large downstairs with my 50" Panasonic HDTV, my poor little V. had to make do upstairs with a sturdy but somewhat diminutive 20" Sony Trinitron. Well I just had to do something about that. So as an early birthday gift I found a pretty good deal online and had the TV delivered, set up and ready to go all while she was still sleeping one Saturday morning. It's a Sony Bravia KDL40V2500 LCD flat panel and it looks mighty nice -- and actually it looks pretty darn big in the smaller living room. Needless to say V. was quite impressed and very happy with her new TV.

During the holiday season I also picked up a little toy for myself too. My home theater setup was distinctly lacking in the bass department, due to my old unpowered subwoofer not being compatible with the new Denon receiver. Not to worry, the old receiver and subwoofer continue to see use up in the bedroom. I had some gift cards for Best Buy left from my birthday presents, so after several trips to listen and consider, I finally decided on the Klipsch Synergy SUB-10. It's actually a pretty big enclosure -- about the size of one of our ottomans. And when I plugged it in and fired it up, the difference was, to use an old cliche, like night and day. Even watching ordinary commercials on TV revealed all kinds of fantastic bass notes and beats that you would never hear if you just rely on the measly speakers that come with most TV sets. And when I watch some of my favorite action movies, the ground shakes and you can really feel the rumble. I watched Ratatouille for the first time after I got the sub set up, and at one point when a lightning strike fries our hero Remy, I nearly jumped out of my sofa. Good times!

I also got a pair of very nice Acoustic Research 308HO speakers from my dad that he didn't want -- he's convinced his vintage pair of Dynaco's and a set of Polk Audio surrounds are better. His setup is mostly for music though, so I gladly took the ARs off his hands and I have to say they sound pretty good ... though probably anything would sound better than the tiny surrounds that came with my old Koss receiver. They're pretty big speakers but they really need to be raised up on stands to sound their best. So I guess the next thing to shop for is some new speaker stands. Boy, this home theater hobby is getting expensive, even with the recycled hardware and the hand-me-downs.

Is there no end to this techno-odyssey? Well there's just one more gizmo to mention. My honey V. had wanted a Nintendo Wii for Christmas, but somehow Santa got his lists all crossed up and put her on the 'naughty' list. So all she got was a lump of coal in her stocking on the 25th. Being the smooth talker that I am, I appealed on her behalf and got her vindicated, so she got her Christmas gift a little late. Right now all we have is the Wii Sports game that comes with the system, but it's a lot of fun -- I'm getting a sore arm from the frenetic swinging and pitching in the baseball game.

Well that's it for now... too much fun without ever leaving the house. But seeing as I have tomorrow off from work for the MLK Jr. holiday, I just might go out for a drive if the weather's nice.