Cool Stereo Equipment

Elec-Study

OK. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not much of a connoisseur when it comes to the different sounds of stereos and speakers. But my day job is as a classical musician, so music is certainly important to me.

As you can see here, our current set up is less than perfect - a vintage amp (that has some issues), a Sony turntable and a Discman. Yes, a Discman. Tragic but true.

So here are my picks (based solely on looks!!) for our dream replacement:

unplgged

This one's been around for ages, but I think it's a design classic. I'd love it wall mounted.

Hardwaresphere

I love this one!

eHow

I don't know what unit this is, but it's quite cool. However, even funnier are the eHow instructions on "How do I put Music in a Retro Stereo". This awesome Ehow contains gems such as:

"Insert a tape into the tape deck, then switch the stereo to "Tape." Press "Play" and the audio from the tape is put into the stereo system, playing through the connected speakers."

Awesome. There are also instructions on how to use a CD player. 

Retrothing

Such coolness. I think I need this Clairtone.

And now I'd like to add some beauty to your day. Here are a few of my favourite pieces of music. I hope you enjoy them.

This song is "An die Musik" by Schubert. The rough translation is "To Music" and is basically an ode to how music is a constant companion through life.

And here is a piece for my instrument, the viola. I love the passion and longing in this piece.

This is a cool music video from I Furiosi, which is a group in Toronto who pushes the boundaries of 'typical' classical performance stereotypes. Check it out!

The Most Lust-Worthy Cooker

AGA

This is the most covetous item in my dream kitchen. For those who don't know what it is, it's an AGA cooker. Basically it's a ginormous stove that doesn't have any temperature regulation. That's why there are 4 ovens - each is a different heat. Similarly, the 2 huge flat burners on the top are always on and one is hotter than the other. You regulate the heat by moving your pans on and off the heat (that's the way they do it in professional French kitchens). They also warm the kitchen wonderfully.

I grew up visiting my Aunt in England and she had one of these in her kitchen (she's moved and has a new one in her new kitchen too!) so there is definitely a nostalgia factor to my lust, but they are the best stoves around. You can also get them in quite a variety of colours including purple (!) and a rather lovely 'pistachio' which is kind of duck egg blue.

You do have to get really good cookware that has a totally flat bottom (Le Creuset is fine) to use them, but hey, if you can afford to buy an AGA, then you can afford great cookware too!

Wouldn't this just be so perfect in a Canadian kitchen through the winter?