hakaplan

[hakaplan]

Although I've been a member for just over a year, I've never formally introduced myself here and thought my 2000th post would be a good time. Unfortunately I lost track, so I'm a little over. I'm a dentist and my ultimate goal is to be able, through the miracle of miniaturization, to inplant audio components in people's teeth so they can listen to music anywhere at any time. The turntable, however is turning out to be a real challenge.

I'm 51, and married to my wonderful wife of 23+ years. For 18 years we had two African-American cats whom we loved dearly, but now we are empty nesters. We live in a 1925 home and part of our spare time has been devoted toward restoring it to how it might have looked back then. My other pastimes include model railroading and mountain biking.

My handle is simply my name, h. a. kaplan. My avatar is symbolic of my musical taste, in a word "uncool," or "politically incorrect." Growing up I had only my parent's music: easy listening, middle road, standards, folk, pop. Later I developed a deep interest in classical, as well. Of course, via school I was also listening to top 40 and lighter rock, but I always marched to a different bandleader. I also lagged behind others when it came to equipment, so my first "serious" system was in college--a cheap Technics quad receiver, HK speakers and a Garrard 40B. Worked fine for me throughout school and for many years thereafter.

I was always fascinated with turntables, but it wasn't until the past year when I got my records out of storage from a move that it really hit me. Discovered AK and read a ton of posts about audio in general and then just became kind of fanatical about turntables. I've got lots of them, naturally, and am currently using Yamaha C-4 and C-60 preamps, a Yamaha CR-1020 receiver, and some Kenwood speakers. Also from GW tons of records and a fair amount of other equipment sitting on shelves. I'd say speakers are what I know least about, but since I'm usually using headphones (Sennheiser HD-595) it's not an overwhelming concern.

AK is a wonderful board--the members here have helped me tremendously with my return to audio. I keep reading comments from newcomers about how friendly, down-to-earth, and helpful the people here are, and I can't agree more. It's truly a pleasure to hang around with all of you all and I'm proud to call you my friends.

[merrylander]

Hi Howard, been a pleasure getting your insights on TTs

[RichPA]

Nice to know a little more about you, Howard, but for a year now I've been wondering just what kind of plan a "haka" plan is ... now I guess I'll never know :)

[Scorpion8]

Howdy Howard!

[tentoze]

I always read Howard's posts to try to educate myself about turntables. He shares his knowledge freely and has helped many here.

[Urizen]

It's truly a pleasure to hang around with all of you all and I'm proud to call you my friends.

Hear, hear!:beerchug:

Good to know ya, Dr. Kaplan.

[Duffinator]

And I always thought Haka Plan was some bit of history I missed in high school. :scratch2:

How much do you charge for Sansui BA/CA-3000 crowns?

[totem]

I always try to pick up what I can, since it seems i have a long way to go on the TT front, thanks Howard.

[ozmoid]

My other pastimes include model railroading.

I knew there was something about you I liked... :D

Great to have you on the board Howard, it has been my pleasure to get to know you.

[alexkerhead]

I am glad you are a member here, Howard. Congratulations on the 2000th post. :)

[ekmanning5]

Hi Howard.
Always love to read your posts and am greatly intrigued by the number of turntables you have,
I had a dentist when I was in my 20's named Dr. Kaplan, hmmmmm.:scratch2:

[onepixel]

Howard is another very fine gentleman. Always generous and kind with his time.

Nice to know you Howard!

Carl

[Snade]

Always enjoy and learn from your posts, Howard.

Now get on the stick with your rec on new wires for the Thorens. :D

Cheers, Snade

[BULLWINKLE]

Nice write up. Hello.

[6thumbs]

If it would,nt have been for Howard ,I,d have thrown my TT through my window months ago ,,Thanks Howard

[Johncan]

Howard,

Nice to know what your AK name meant... never thought it was a real last name. Thanks for helping me ID my older Grado carts.

John

[hakaplan]

Thank you for the kind words, guys.

[chillwolf]

Hey Howard! Enjoy reading your posts, you are a wealth of info. when it comes to TTs. I don't have as many TTs as you yet, but I'm working on it. Think I'm up to 14 now. I see you have another interest of mine (model railroading). Glad you are a member here!

[Tapehead47]

Howard. Nice to have you here!

I was into model railroading back in the day. I'd love to see some pix of your layout! I'll be many AKers would, too.

[jfine]

I'm a dentist and my ultimate goal is to be able, through the miracle of miniaturization, to inplant audio components in people's teeth so they can listen to music anywhere at any time.

Is that so? Believe it or not, (cuz no one else believed me), back in the maybe very lastest 60's early 70's as a kid going to the dentist, I had a silver filling, (OK I had more than one), that at times walking to school or down the street, I could pick up a radio station and I could actually hear it. As time went on, I could make out the name of the radio station and recognize some songs, it was faint though. Turns out it was a country station (KWJJ--remember it well), and I was no country fan. I dont know how long it went on, but I think I complained enough and so it was fixed or replaced.

So I dunno Howard, not sure I would be into that again unless you can figure out a way to switch stations :D

Anyway I agree you've given more help and advice than you realize, Thanks!

[BroonsBane]

Good to meet you Howard :)

[Sandy G]

I always admire dentists-Working inside of a tennis ball all their lives...I couldn't do that. My hands are too damn big & too full of "Arthur" now, anyway...Nice to know you, Doc !

[Strangeband]

Very nice intro. I, too, had thought your name meant something other than your name.

[pmsummer]

I like your avatar.

[KeninDC]

Hakaplan is always there for my TT and cart inquiries.

[Yamaha B-2]

Second all the above. Don't believe we have another member who has the wide-ranging technical knowledge of things vinyl as does Howard. Not the electronics that makes the platter spin, but the knowledge of set, adjustment and what makes vinyl close to our soul. Am glad you are a member.

[jcmjrt]

Glad you are here. Everyone benefits from your TT experiences. Thanks.

[REDone]

Thanks for all your advice past & future

Those African American cats are what .. like a cross breed cougar with a lion?

[hakaplan]

Those African American cats are what .. like a cross breed cougar with a lion?
No, I was being a wiseguy. It's just the politically correct way of saying that they were black. :D

[hakaplan]

Thank you all for those very kind words.

[Starrider1]

Nice to read your intro Howard. I really appreciate that you took the time to help me with my turntable questions. We are really lucky to have you on the forum. I look forward to reading your posts in the future. Thanks

[hakaplan]

Is that so? Believe it or not, (cuz no one else believed me), back in the maybe very lastest 60's early 70's as a kid going to the dentist, I had a silver filling, (OK I had more than one), that at times walking to school or down the street, I could pick up a radio station and I could actually hear it. As time went on, I could make out the name of the radio station and recognize some songs, it was faint though. Turns out it was a country station (KWJJ--remember it well), and I was no country fan. I dont know how long it went on, but I think I complained enough and so it was fixed or replaced.
I've heard lots of stories like this. Too bad it wasn't a good station. Think of how many others were actually picking up radio waves but never heard anything because they didn't have the exact frequency. Nowadays with the ceramic fillings these stories are much rarer. Although maybe a single ceramic filling placed in the mouth of a person who picks up a station will act as a variable capacitor and enable him to change stations by changing jaw position.

[bruhl]

Hello Howard,

A fine gentleman always and an asset to AK. Your knowledge and willingness to share are known to all who frequent this wonderful site.
Pleasure to know you, man. :thmbsp:

bruhl

[noveltone]

Howard,

Hello! Nice to read your intro and your miraculous return to audio. Good thing you shlepped around those records all those years. I hope to get back into vinyl soon and when I do it sounds like I'll be lucky you're around. I always thought dentists were nice guys, for the record....

Collin

[hakaplan]

I always thought dentists were nice guys, for the record....Collin
Oh, so you're the one! :D Thanks, Collin.

[DaLarry]

I'm a newbie here myself and we can welcome each other! Great to get to know and all the other wonderful folks here.

PS: Since you are self described as politically incorrect, dare I ask, what is an African American Cat? :-)

[hakaplan]

I'm a newbie here myself and we can welcome each other! Great to get to know and all the other wonderful folks here.

PS: Since you are self described as politically incorrect, dare I ask, what is an African American Cat? :-)
Well, I was being a wiseguy. It's the politically correct way of saying that they're black. :D

[bully]

You are a great addition to AK :music:

[DaLarry]

Well, I was being a wiseguy. It's the politically correct way of saying that they're black. :D

That's what I thought. I don't have any vinyl anymore but it sounds like you would be a tremendous resource if I decide to get back in. I'll be seeing you around! :music:

[cason]

Howard, Nice to meet you. Thanks for the intro.
Bob

[wajobu]

Hi Howard!

...and a one and a two...

[Divotdog]

Great intro Howard, I missed this when you posted it, you're fine gentleman always willing to share your knowledge of TT's, and your posts have helped me tremendously. Proud to make this my 900th post!

[hakaplan]

Great intro Howard, I missed this when you posted it, you're fine gentleman always willing to share your knowledge of TT's, and your posts have helped me tremendously. Proud to make this my 900th post!
Thank you, Mel, that means a lot to me and I'm honored to have your 900th post here. And congratulations on that milestone!

[hakaplan]

Again, thanks for the kind words and greetings to the folks who have posted since the last time I said thanks to the first round of folks. Does that make any sense? :scratch2:

[WopOnTour]

Nice intro Dr. HK!
(you should upgrade to some vintage Harman Kardon lol)

Looking forward to having many a TT discussion (it's one of my passions as well)
Thanks for your contributions to AK

Sincerely
WopOnTour

[Paul C]

Howard has been most helpful to me, as he has with others, in filling in the blanks for me on various cartridges and turntables. Thanks, guy!

And seems to have a good sense of humor, which I appreciate in a dentist. My own dentist sticks his head in the door and asks, in a German accent, "Is it safe???" (reference to the movie Marathon Man)

Thanks for all the help you've given me, guy!

[hakaplan]

Nice intro Dr. HK!
(you should upgrade to some vintage Harman Kardon lol)
Well, I have a Three Thirty receiver. Does that count?
Howard has been most helpful to me, as he has with others, in filling in the blanks for me on various cartridges and turntables. Thanks, guy!

My pleasure, Paul and good pun. :D
And seems to have a good sense of humor, which I appreciate in a dentist. My own dentist sticks his head in the door and asks, in a German accent, "Is it safe???" (reference to the movie Marathon Man)
Well then clearly you've never been in my office. Not only is that my favorite phrase, but I show the film non-stop in the waiting room. :yes: