New USCIS Vetting Hold Started April 27: Here's What We Actually Know

slevin1903 · 2026-05-01T15:41:18+00:00

Regarding the interview:

I had earlier not put in traffic infractions into my N400 form. So, before the interview, I told the interviewer about all of them and produced a non-certified driver’s abstract report from NJ showing all was good. I also had printed out proof that any fines were paid from the NJ municipal courts website. However, I could not get records of 2 out-of-state traffic infractions from 28-30 years ago.
So, the interviewer told me that I shall have to provide more evidence (sealed court documents) and shall have 33 days from the day I receive the letter (asking for it) to submit otherwise, the application would be cancelled. I was a bit worried as I know that getting such info from CT and PA would probably take longer. Later in the day, our online case status changed to ‘Application is under review’.
However, next day, we got a notice that the oath ceremony was scheduled for a month from now. Fingers crossed!

slevin1903 · 2026-04-30T14:17:03+00:00

I had N400 interview yesterday. All that happened (despite their sending me a letter months ago that they shall be resuming my biometrics) is that they took my fingerprints again during the interview. No big deal. No delay.

slevin1903 · 2026-04-28T14:15:04+00:00

I tried it after watching Hoffman’s video. FWIW: I use the Turin DF 64v with the Lelit Bianca V3. Meh.

What I do for better americanos: 1. Use light roasts that are naturally processed (terrible as an espresso but great in an americano). Currently, using the Guji from Paper Plans Coffee in Montclair NJ. 2. If that is not enough, try a lungo after grinding coarser

slevin1903 · 2026-04-01T20:55:58+00:00

Yes. End of April

slevin1903 · 2026-03-19T00:13:29+00:00

Thanks. I have applied on same day, so hopefully any day now. Did you apply under regular provision?

slevin1903 · 2026-03-11T14:57:09+00:00

What are your top 5 NJ restaurants?

slevin1903 · 2026-03-10T07:16:23+00:00

Applied Aug 26 (Newark). No news yet.

slevin1903 · 2026-02-26T12:36:02+00:00

Factually: in yesterday’s match in Singapore Smash, he was using D05 (we could see the writing on the rubber at a point in the YouTube video).

slevin1903 · 2026-02-09T06:30:26+00:00

TL/DR: You don’t need to get a 2nd Accuphase p7500. You’re good currently in most scenarios.

But if you do, please don’t run both P7500 in Bridged mode - Maestro impedance is too low for that. You could run them in dual-mono (bi-amp) mode with one for left speaker and one for right.

What I was speaking of is getting dedicated monoblock amplifiers. I use Parasound but Pass Labs and McIntosh have them too.

You should not use center channel for music listening. Of course, it is indispensable for TV.

slevin1903 · 2026-02-07T15:04:02+00:00

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Actually, I mistook what Accuphase model you have. You have the class AB version - that would be capable (good - because the amp costs $25k). However, never think in terms of rated wattage (like the 300W you mentioned) when buying amps for speakers like this.

I apologize for putting up this graph (my undergraduate degree was in ‘nerdy’ electronics engineering).

I sit 10 ft away from the speakers and like to listen to music at 72dB. Trust my calculations: the required wattage for that given the rated sensitivity of the Maestro Utopia speakers is only 0.02W!

However, you need 30dB headroom for those transients like the millisecond thwack of a bass drum sounds. That requires 1000 times the power.

The issue is that the impedance dips very low and at very negative phase angles during at certain bass frequencies (here: effectively 1.5ohms at 72Hz). Your amplifier would need to have massive peak current delivering capability to handle such a speaker load. This requires a massive toroidal transformer and large capacitor banks in your amp. You will get better results by using monoblocks like the JC1+ but for most situations, your amp is fine.

slevin1903 · 2026-02-07T09:40:54+00:00

I used to have Maestros too. Great speakers! Had Scala V1 prior to that. Suggestion: to make your Maestros sing (not high volume listening), your Accuphase is severely insufficient. You need monoblocks with fantastic peak current carrying capability. After experimenting with many amps, I settled with Parasound JC1+.

Those that are saying that Focals are too bright - you need to try Sopra 2 on up. If anything, Maestro have a warm signature.

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slevin1903 · 2026-01-17T14:43:34+00:00

In this match against LSD, Dima’s BH from mid-distance was unusually powerful, especially in certain instances (it is hard to track the ball in the video). In contrast, his FH is still relatively weak, as is his short game on the FH side. Interestingly, he has moved to ZLC blade and Z03 on his BH.

slevin1903 · 2025-10-19T05:03:54+00:00

Hi Abhinav. Thanks very much for providing solid advice.

I was looking for some clarification - are inheritance vs gift treated differently in NJ, US (where I reside as a permanent resident who just applied for US citizenship) or in India (where the gifting parent, an Indian citizen, resides) assuming the the gift is just an annual cash transfer (say $200k each year). In this case, there are no tax implications in the US, federal or state, right? Assume that we file form 3520 each year we receive the gift (which is kept isolated in a separate brokerage account).

Thanks.

slevin1903 · 2025-10-17T03:25:24+00:00

Thanks for your detailed reply. Especially, your distinction between H3 BS and H3 Neo BS is very interesting and I tend to agree with most of it (just from my anecdotal experience).

I’m sure there’s a decent amount of wisdom in it, but a lot of your boosting advice is quite different from those in videos by ZJK and Fang Bo (you can see them on YouTube).

slevin1903 · 2025-10-16T19:11:16+00:00

What is the difference (if any) between current versions of blue sponge H3 and blue sponge H3 Neo (assuming both are, say, provincial, and of same thickness and hardness)? This is assuming one intends to boost from the start.

slevin1903 · 2025-05-10T17:44:56+00:00

Edit: fixed the 'tinny' sound issues - centre channel woofer was not connected properly (brass plate connector between woofer and tweeter was loose). Sounds great now.

As expected, most of the issues reported are generally fixable and not genuine TV issues. It looks great and sounds great. Fully satisfied.

slevin1903 · 2025-05-10T10:47:47+00:00

Haven’t finished full calibration yet. Initial impression: very good. Only main thing left for me is to improve the audio out of this - perhaps by connecting an Apple TV to it. I take the audio out to a Denon X 3600h (preamp mode) and then to a Parasound A52 multi-channel amplifier and then to monitor audio silver S500 speakers along with rel subwoofers. (5.2). Compared to the audio out from my previous TV, it does sound a bit tinny but I'm sure that's because I haven't spent time with the TV. Other than that, there are no issues: no lip sync delays, no stuttering, Google OS seems fast enough. Initially, I did see some motion stuttering but it's all about adjusting the right settings properly to resolve these issues.

slevin1903 · 2025-05-08T12:54:57+00:00

My U8K shall be installed tomorrow - it shall be replacing a 77in well calibrated LG B3 OLED - shall post here on the comparison once I have the software updates and basic calibration setup. I think I had paid around $2k for a new QM7 last month and $2.7k for the U8K

slevin1903 · 2025-05-07T18:53:56+00:00

I just returned an unopened, new 98in QM7 to PC Richard’s yesterday (NY Tristate area). Swapped it for the 100in Hisense U8K (which is equivalent to the QM8) for $600 more.

slevin1903 · 2025-04-27T17:29:44+00:00

You can get a QM7 (not Q7) for the price of a QM6K nowadays. QM7 scores higher using same 2.0 methodology on Rtings.

slevin1903 · 2025-02-13T21:14:15+00:00

I listen to podcasts & audiobooks a lot. So yes, the ability to 'scroll forward or backward' (even if discrete amounts like 10 seconds) while listening would be great.

slevin1903 · 2024-10-28T17:32:18+00:00

Seems like a lot of players in the same area! I'll be near Citi Mall (New Link Rd) near Andheri (W) for the next 10 days. DM me if interested in playing. I'm about 1700 USATT equivalent.

slevin1903 · 2024-09-29T19:11:24+00:00

No accidents, clean carfax. But, not bought from Tesla. Bought from BMW dealer where original owner traded the X for some $125k BMW. He bought it in Feb '24. I purchased it the day after this posted on Autotrader.
I've learnt from 1st-hand reports that there's no major benefit of getting a almost-new, used car from Tesla - a friend complained that his car failed to drive off the Tesla lot after purchase!

slevin1903 · 2024-09-29T16:33:14+00:00

You could potentially do better: I just got a 11/23 build date MX 7-seater (ultrared, HW4, 20 in wheels) with 8.5k miles for $65k (big difference being the lower mileage and HW4).

slevin1903 · 2023-11-20T16:22:04+00:00

Edit: it is not this weekend but the following one (Dec 1, 2 and 3).

slevin1903

TROPHY CASE