By Juan C. Ayllon We've gained quite a reputation for vivid imaginations, unsubstantiated claims, puffery, and outright chicanery in the audiophile world -- and some of it is well-deserved.
As a sometime writer who went from covering boxing to hi-fi, the similarities are sometimes uncanny. Like many boxers I've met, there are a lot of decent, hard-working designers and businessmen in audio just trying to get ahead; however, as with the slimy handlers, managers and promoters who infiltrate and give pugilism a black eye, there are those in audio who lie, cheat and fleece its denizens to turn a profit.
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Text and lead photo by Juan C. Ayllon You'd think that with the mandated Stay at Home orders in effect, that I'd be all over my high fidelity system playing music 24/7. However, after being stuck at my house for the better part of six weeks, there are whole days that I don't give it the time of day. Hold the phone! Why's that?
By Juan C. Ayllon Having rushed in the first time at the ripe age of 35 and divorced a year and a half later, my prospects for love and marriage weren't looking too bright as I approached 50. All that changed in 2010, when I asked Belle, a feisty mother of three, out for coffee.
We'd met at church, and when we began dating, her oldest, Ryan, was away at college and her two Irish twins, Connor and Colleen, were juniors in high school. Roughly six months into our relationship, I scored big points with them when I set up my hi-fi system in their family room; I spent most evenings there, so why not? Up till then, they didn't know how great music and movies could sound at home. Text and photos by Juan C. Ayllon The invisible, toxic sandstorm of COVID-19 was overtaking Chicagoland, and I was very fortunate to drop off my beloved Lampizator Big 7 DAC at my technician's shop across the state line in Racine, Wisconsin just before Illinois' Governor Pritzker issued his Stay in Shelter order. That was a month ago.
But for long walks and occasional trips to the store, I'm homebound, isolated, teaching, and conducting nearly all my social interactions online -- except for evenings when my wife, Belle, returns from the retirement home where she works. Taking staff temperatures is part of her job description these days, which stresses her, as she's afraid she may not only become ill, but bring it home to me, as well. |
Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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