December 22, 2010

  • Cambridge Audio Azur 740C, Part 10

    Geez, I recall 15 years ago, when music videos were dead.  Yet, I saw the video for Ace Of Base's "Beautiful Life."  With that as inspiration, I'd go to San Francisco's Ultimate Sound, and hope that audio equipment would have large soundscapes, the equivalent of the "Beautiful Life" video.

    On Oahu, head east out on Kalanianaole Highway.  Look back at Hawaii Kai.  That, too, is as inspiring as "Beautiful Life."

    When I look back, I remember my middle and high school summers, when we'd occasionally make it out to Hawaii Kai, and go to the Fun Factory arcade.  It used to be somewhere down there.

    All right, all right, you guys have been clamoring about after-market powercords on the Cambridge Audio Azur 740C.  I always make sure to include the Acrolink P/C-046.

    And yes, some of you have asked if the 740C is capable of sweeping panoramic soundscapes.  No, with the Acrolink P/C-046, the 740C sharpens its imaging, which was already a strong suit.  Focus is enhanced.  The images become a little more stable.  But there is still no image depth, so it's still like sticking Post-Its on a wall.  Ace Of Base's dance hit, "Lucky Love," comes across as too pinched, too stiff.  Instead of breath-taking soundscapes, you get small sound, kind of like a Walkman, Discman, or iPhone.

    There are myriad Roy's restaurants scattered across the country.  If you go to the San Francisco Roy's, you may wonder what the big deal is.  Well, go to the original Roy's, located in Hawaii Kai.  Request a second floor table with a window.  During dinner time, you'll be treated to a gorgeous sunset over Maunalua Bay.  And for whatever reason, even though many of the dishes are the exact same as at other Roy's restaurants, the food tastes better at the Hawaii Kai location.