|
June was an active month with the addition of Cinematech and Mechoshade Home Systems
I represented Cinematech when they first hired reps circa 2000 when I worked for Paul Fitzpatrick. I have always felt they provided the best seating available, and I have both the Valentino Incliner and Valentino Recliner in my home (featured in the picture below). Cinematech has now embraced the design and construction of both high-end dedicated theaters and serious multi-use areas. They initially provide a Design Services package including elevations and rough construction drawings and documentation. They have an Interior Designer on staff and will reimburse any dealer who sends a customer to their showroom in Dallas (contingent on the purchase of their services and/or seats). I was there the year before last when they first opened this new facility, and it is world class in every respect. When Lutron got back in the shade (window treatment) business in 2002 they acquired Vimco, a commercial shade manufacturer in Virginia. I was hired as the Vimco rep because of our representation of Lutron at that time. I remember Mechoshade being the 800 pound gorilla in the commercial space. Everywhere I went I saw their binders and their products included on specifications. They have been manufacturing quality, integratable shades for more than 40 years. They have their administrative offices in New York and their plant in Phoenix. They work seamlessly with Control4 (and other control systems) and were at the recent Control4 training in Fremont. They do both high and low voltage shades. On a completely different note, in early June, I hosted the Sierra Nevada Audiophile Society in Alameda. Alan Fong of Syncopation arranged for the group to come to my home and see some high- end networked and streamed high resolution audio. I downloaded high resolution content from HD Tracks, which they were able to experience firsthand. It's going to be awhile before streaming replaces analog (vinyl and tubes), and vinyl is seeing a major resurgence of interest. My entire CD collection is ripped to Apple Lossless, streamed through a Bryston BDP-1 and decoded by a Bryston BDA-1 and amplified with a Bryston 14B with Totem Forest speakers. I personally enjoy having my entire collection available through my iPad using Mpod. All my components are plugged into my PS Audio P-5 providing perfect AC power regeneration, and web based control. I also stream from my PS Audio Wave DAC. Oh, and the gossip has it that Thomison Holman is now working for Apple. Do they see a market for higher resolution content? Also, Bryston is introducing a headphone amplifier towards the end of this year. I still get goosebumps when I listen to my music through this computer-based system. I also get a kick when a button works (consistently) on my iPad.   
| 
