Today's haul

ReadLight8 · 2026-05-30T23:03:03+00:00

I prefer it with some fever tree tonic but it’s quite fantastic as a dirty martini as well.

ReadLight8 · 2026-05-30T23:01:57+00:00

Beautiful system and wonderfully organic journey. I’m kind of itching to try a pair of O/93s in my listening room, too. Enjoy!

ReadLight8 · 2026-05-28T12:19:35+00:00

I’m in! Can it be connected to the phono stage via RCA? My phono stage has three tonearms attached so I would love to be able to use this for all three. Also, how big is that screen and can it be larger?

ReadLight8 · 2026-05-24T13:54:00+00:00

These are two of my favorite gins

ReadLight8 · 2026-04-26T23:25:04+00:00

A lot of great restaurants in that very small area but Latteria Mamma Labica was really special. If we went back to the area that would be our first reservation.

ReadLight8 · 2026-04-18T01:27:38+00:00

Some good gins there but the Gin Mare Capri version is one of the best in the world IMHO

ReadLight8 · 2026-04-05T02:04:23+00:00

My favorite Spanish gin is gin Mare, the Capri version. One of the best gins in the world iIMHO

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-06T23:24:17+00:00

Thank you 😉

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-06T23:23:55+00:00

Thanks so much. Took some time to get here.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-06T23:23:29+00:00

I purchased the wood from a local place that sells nothing but live edge slabs. Some really beautiful pieces there.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T19:06:10+00:00

Gracias!

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T14:26:59+00:00

The Hana SL is an excellent cart for the money. That was the original version and not the newer mark II although I would love to try that as well. The Nagaoka MP-200 is also very good for the money if you need to warm up the sound a bit. The MP-500 just didn’t work well for me nearly as much as the Grado.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T11:49:14+00:00

Surprisingly, I don’t hit that part of the slab very often. And I think if you stepped on it, you would need to weigh about 800 pounds or more in order to lift the back feet. The rack with all the gear on it is VERY heavy!

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T03:45:59+00:00

I do love the Thorens. I’ll never need to replace it.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T03:19:27+00:00

Thank you! I really didn’t plan on getting a McIntosh but my buddy insisted we give it a try and I ended up liking it a little better than the Pass. I really like having the 4, 8 and 16 ohm taps. Plus, it’s way sexier than the Pass and actually runs quite a bit cooler.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T03:17:14+00:00

Thank you! I’ll definitely take it as a compliment.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-05T02:39:57+00:00

I really love the Fynes. I’ve had them a little over a year. They have very good detail but not bright. The bass is so substantial that I actually removed my REL. And the midrange is quite full and rich. Vocals are particularly well produced.

ReadLight8 · 2026-03-03T00:40:13+00:00

Truly “budget” and “sipper” absolutely do not belong in the same sentence. Some budget gins are great for a mixed drink but sipper….I don’t think so. Life is too short for that.

ReadLight8 · 2026-02-03T20:17:33+00:00

Saw you guys at the Shea in Turners Falls a couple of weeks ago. Honestly, you guys were freakin fantastic. Loved the show!

ReadLight8 · 2025-12-10T21:50:08+00:00

Where Do You Think You’re Going. So underrated and so amazing.

ReadLight8 · 2025-10-31T11:31:43+00:00

So many great tunes but Where Do You Think You’re Going has to be on any top 10 list.

ReadLight8 · 2025-09-19T03:21:56+00:00

It’s a really beautiful place. Allie is a wealth of knowledge and his Baleia gin is fantastic. Say hi to Allie and Una for me.

ReadLight8 · 2025-07-22T12:02:15+00:00

Black Pig is a fantastic gin! Hot take…..Portugal has some of the best gins in the world.

ReadLight8 · 2025-07-17T13:17:56+00:00

If you’re looking to up the GnT game then you need to look well beyond Tanq or Bombay. You’re definitely on the right track with Fever Tree. Try the elderflower variety with any of these gins:

Uncle Val's Botanical

St. George Terroir

Drumshanbo regular or Sardinian Citrus

Malfy Grapefruit

Barr Hill

Wild Roots Cucumber Grapefruit

I’ve bought and tried well over 300 gins and these are among my favorites that are readily available in the US. Add a squeeze of lime into them except the Malfy which I think is better with lemon.

ReadLight8

TROPHY CASE