Urizen

[Urizen]

Hi, fellow audio nuts!

My name is Ken, from Memphis, TN. I am a manager for a local paint manufacturer. I have been in the paint and high-performance coatings industry for over 23 years.

I have one son, Chris, who is a rising sophomore at Clemson University.

I was raised in the upstate area of South Carolina, attending Mauldin HS and then earning my BA in English Lit and Language from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.

My journey into audio started around the age of 11, when Santa brought me my first electric guitar and amp. Having played in several bands, and recording some light studio work, I eventually migrated into the sound end of things, mixing sound for bands, and served as the lighting and sound director for the Wofford College Theater Workshop during my last year there. I still play guitar occasionally, but not as much as I know I should.

The audio bug really bit me hard about 8 years ago, when I rescued a set of original Advents from a local pawn shop. Around two and a half years ago, I found AK, looking for info on my latest find, a Kenwood KT-8005. I was warmly welcomed, unlike other boards which were cold and impersonal. AK has now become my second home.

A certified speaker freak, I now have around 16 pairs of good vintage speakers, and a myriad of electronics. The multitude of information here, along with the friendly folks, makes this place the best audio board on the web.

As far as my systems go (they are constantly morphing):

Main:
Sunfire 300
Adcom GFP-750
Musical Fidelity X-10v3
Paradigm X-30
Sony DVP-NS500V
Musical Fidelity A3
Magnepan Magnaplanar MG 1.5 Q/R
Velodyne SPL-1200

Secondary:
Magnavox 8601
Parasound P/LD-1500
LiTe DAC AH M1
Pioneer PD-75
Snell Type K
Klipsch KSW-12

Living Room:
Almarro A205A MKIII
Rega Planet
Klipsch La Scala

BR:
Adcom GFA-535
Adcom SLC-505
Ah! Super Njoe Tjoeb 4000
Paradigm Studio 20 v3

I had the pleasure to meet many AKers at last years Southern Audio Fest in Atlanta. I have a good feeling we will have a much larger crowd this year.

It's all about the music here, and I am active on the music and speaker boards.

Many thanks go out to the wonderful members of AK, whose words and wit keep me sane.

Regards,

Ken

[centralflori]

Glad you're here. I enjoy reading your thoughtful posts. Thanks for sharing.:yes::banana:

[ozmoid]

Yes Ken, very nice to have you here. :)

[jcmjrt]

Ok, that's all good...but you are from Memphis...let's talk about what's really important....are you for wet or dry BBQ? The important issues of the day just cannot be avoided. :D

[Urizen]

The important issues of the day just cannot be avoided. :D

My gal loves 'em dry, Rendezvous style. We use their excellent rub when we do ribs at home.

I like them wet, but with a Carolina twist. I prefer a mustard based sauce.

Btw, I only knew how to grill until I moved here.:yes:

[tentoze]

I like them wet, but with a Carolina twist. I prefer a mustard based sauce.



I knew I liked you for some reason.

[jcmjrt]

The Eastern Carolina version - vinegar based - is pretty good too. I just love pulled pork sandwiches with that tangy BBQ sauce on it.

Ribs - dry.

OK, now I'm getting hungry. :drool:

[jaymanaa]

My gal loves 'em dry, Rendezvous style. We use their excellent rub when we do ribs at home.

I like them wet, but with a Carolina twist. I prefer a mustard based sauce.

Btw, I only knew how to grill until I moved here.:yes:

Can't wait to get a taste of what Memphis has to offer. Maybe I'll get a little cooler and bring you a sample of some of KC's Q. :smoke:

[Urizen]

Maybe I'll get a little cooler and bring you a sample of some of KC's Q. :smoke:

The gloves are off.:smoke:

[ponderbear]

Urizen, your systems all look like gold. I would love to hear Magneplanars with a Velodyne. Dang, i bet that sounds good.

Now y'all got my juices flowin' talking about BBQ. jaymanaa, my inlaws live in Kansas City MO and I suggest to my wife we go visit them pretty regularly for obvious reasons. We go to Jack Fiorella's occasionally but my favorite is bb's lawnside. mmmm....

[hakaplan]

It's funny, I always thought your ID came from a combination of two words, Verizon and Urine, which made sense because that's what most people think of Verizon. :D But I googled it and found it was indeed a name unto itself. :yes:

[Urizen]

But I googled it and found it was indeed a name unto itself. :yes:

Blake's copper etchings are amazing, eh?

This is where I got my handle from...

http://facstaff.uww.edu/hoganj/contents.htm

I read Blake in school, and never forgot the artwork.

[ozmoid]

I like them wet, but with a Carolina twist. I prefer a mustard based sauce.

There you go... :drool:

[Scorpion8]

Oooooo.... anybody who loves BBQ, is okay by me! <slurp> :D

[cableguy]

Speakers, music and BBQ....quality to the bone...:thmbsp:



Bill

[merrylander]

Anyone who admires the works of Blake is good in my book. Howard, you don't know the half of Hell Titanic, phone has been out since Monday and all we get are promises.

[Strangeband]

Just saw your intro and I wanted to comment on the nice gear you have. I hope you will be able to bring most of it the the Southern Audio Fest so I can also hear it.

[Duffinator]

Hi Ken. Hey is this a TT?

Ah! Super Njoe Tjoeb 4000

[BroonsBane]

Speakers, music and BBQ....quality to the bone...:thmbsp:



Bill

Here here!
Hi Ken :thmbsp:

[Urizen]

Ah! Super Njoe Tjoeb 4000

Of course it isn't.:D

[Duffinator]

Of course it isn't.:DWhat is it?

[Urizen]

What is it?

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=50

If those prices are correct, I'm shocked. I bought mine for much less...new.

Five years ago.

[Drybasement]

Yeah, he's a regular audiophool...:D

Glad to know you Ken. Man, I hope to see you at the next AK Fest.

Cheers

[Sluggo]

Thanks for the intro Ken!
A nice system in every room,like your taste in gear.
Man,I could smell the BBQ talking way over here~

[TWantiques]

I met Ken at the Southern Audio Fest last year. Didn't take long to see Ken knew his audio. He set up a system in his room that knocked my socks off. Wow, it sounded good and today I couldn't tell you the name of one piece of gear he had in it (my bad).

A truly knowledgeable and nice guy here on AK. We are lucky to have him here.
Sorry for being so nice, Ken but I just had to. :D

Terry

[Urizen]

I couldn't tell you the name of one piece of gear he had in it (my bad).

It was a very simple and mainly vintage setup:

Sherwood S-8900A, Pioneer PD-75, KLH Model Seventeen, and Klipsch KSW-12 (with a couple of different DACs, thanks to Johncan).

Here's a pic from the fest:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/crackerkorean/Southern%20Fried%20AK06/IMG_4115.jpg

Y'all got me blushing now. Thanks!

[ehoove]

Ken,
Nice to know more about you. Thanks for your help along the way!
Regards,
Jim

[bully]

Down in the bad parts of town. Where they pile the food on your plate by hand LOL

[wajobu]

Thanks for the intro Ken...someday I hope to get to Tennessee!

[Negotiableterms]

AK has now become my second home.
A certified speaker freak, I now have around 16 pairs of good vintage speakers, and a myriad of electronics.

Now, here, folks, we have a genuine chicken and egg dilemma!

Glad you're here, whichever came first.

[onwardjames]

16 pair, eh??

Ah well, you will catch up eventually, young Skywalker.


Loved the old avatar, btw... u know the one.

[DaLarry]

What a collection of gear! You're my new role model!

[Redboy]

Cool to have you, Ken! I've always enjoyed your posts.

[cason]

Nice to meet you, Ken. You have some seriously nice equipment. Enjoyed your intro. Hope to hear from you around the forums.
Bob

[nukeme]

Ken, you have some of the best avatars on this site, just one of the many things I enjoy here.