Things I use and love.
Here’s a big list of all of my favorite stuff, that I use everyday, or at least whenever I can. I love using good quality tools and equipment.
Apps
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LM Studio
Discover, download, and run local LLMs.
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Obsidian
Obsidian is the private and flexible writing app that adapts to the way you think.
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Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a streamlined code editor with support for development operations like debugging, task running, and version control.
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Zed
Zed is a next-generation code editor designed for high-performance collaboration with humans and AI.
Computing
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2023 MacBook Pro
Portable AI workhorse, with M3 Max, 128GB memory, 2TB SSD.
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2023 Mac Studio
Main Computer, with 64GB memory, 2TB SSD, together with an OWC ThunderBay 4 mini with 4x8TB SSDs ands OWC miniStack.
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2013 Mac Pro [deprecated]
At one stage Apple's most powerful Mac, with 12 cores and 64GB memory, and twin AMD FirePro D700 GPUs. An iconic design, sometimes referred to as the "trash can."
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DELL UP2718Q 27" 4K display
Dell's Ultra HD HDR Professional Monitor with HDR10 and Adobe RGB.
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UNICOMP Model M Keyboard
IBM's classic keyboard, manufactured by a company that took over IBM's original keyboard factory in Lexington.
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LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 [deprecated]
Thunderbolt attached RAID array with 5x8TB disks.
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Komplete Audio 6
Native Instruments's premium 6 channel audio interface - 4 analog in/out, 2 digital in/out, 2 headphone out, and MIDI in/out.
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Epson ET-7500
Epson's photo quality Multi Function printer, scanner and copier.
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Epson DS-570
Epson's Wi Fi connected document scanner.
Music Production
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Kawai MP-10
The MP10 is an outstanding professional stage piano with authentic wooden keys that simulated the action of a grand piano.
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Komplete Control S88 Mark II
Native Instruments' 88-key hammer-action Fatar keybed with true piano feel.
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Komplete Kontrol M32
Micro-sized keyboard controller with synth-action keybed, Smart Play features, NKS ready, OLED display and touch strips.
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Maschine 3
Native Instrument's integrated production and performance system includes sampler, arranger, mixer, FX, and a built-in audio interface.
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Edirol SD-90
The ultimate pro version of the Sound Canvas. A digital audio workstation in a box.
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Mackie ONYX 1200i mixer
Analog and USB 12 channel mixer.
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Mackie MR5 Mark II studio monitors
A lot of sound in a very compact unit.
Audio Visual
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Epson EH-TW9000 projector
Epson's 3D home theatre projector, with 480Hz Active Shutter and Full HD, 1080p performance, 2,400 lumens colour/white light output and a contrast ratio of up to 200,000:1.
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Linn Sondek LP12 Akurate turntable system
Linn's midrange system including a separate dedicated Lingo power supply, machined armboard, Krystal cartridge and Linn Akito tonearm, this deck delivers a stunningly musical performance.
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Technics SL-1200 Mark 7 turntable
The iconic turntable, used by DJs all around the world, in it's 50th anniversary limited edition.
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Dynavector P75 phono preamplifier
The P75 incorporates a unique feature called "Phono Enhancer" (PE) which extracts the current signal, improve the magnetic field in the cartridge itself, which in turn provides an even more musical performance.
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Sony WM-1A Walkman
Sony's Signature Series Premium Digital Music Player.
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Sony MDR-Z1R Headphone
Sony's Signature Series Premium Hi-Res Headphones featuring massive 70mm HD drivers, full-range sound up to 120kHz and Hi-Res Audio support. It has resonance-free housing and Fibonacci-patterned grills, and silver-coated OFC cable.
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Sony TA-ZH1ES Premium Headphone Amplifier
Sony's Signature Series Desktop Amplifier combining a premium hybrid DA amplifier with non-feedback S Master HX technology and a custom FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) to convert all PCM music sources into DSD™ 11.2MHz.
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Oppo BDP-105D optical player
Oppo's audiophile quality Bluray and universal player with analog 7.1 multichannel audio outputs. It features the Darbee Visual Processor and two ES9018 DAC chips - one for the 7.1-channel output, and another for the dedicated stereo output.
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Halo P7 7.1 Channel Preamplifier
An analog-audio-only audiophile quality preamp that supports up to seven channels.
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Musical Fidelity A5cr power amplifier x 4
4 units of dual mono choke regulated amplification provides 8 channels of 250W each.
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B&W CDM NT speakers
Consisting of 4 CDM 7NT floor standing speakers, 1 CDM CNT centre channel speaker, and 2 602 Series II speakers for surround back channels, and the ASW CDM subwoofer for a full 7.1 listening experience.
Photography
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Leica M10
Leica's full-frame digital rangefinder camera. I also have an almost complete range of Summicron lenses (Summicron-M 28, Summicron-M 35, Summicron-M 50, Summicron 40, Summicron 90) and various other Leica and Voigtländer lenses.
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Sony A9
Sony's professional full frame camera, featuring high-speed continuous shooting at up to 20fps, blackout-free shooting, AF/AE live-view tracking, shutter speed up to 1/32000 sec., silent vibration-free Anti-Distortion shutter, sensitivity up to ISO 204800 (extended), pro-style excellent usability, and advanced 4K movie. 24.2-megapixel 35mm full-frame stacked CMOS sensor with integral memory.
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Sony A7r
Sony's first high resolution full frame camera. I still like this because it is one of Sony's smallest and lightest bodies.
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Sony A6500
Sony's premium APS-C camera.
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Panasonic GX9
Panasonic's rangefinder style compact Micro 4/3 camera with a high-resolution tilting viewfinder, 20.3-megapixel MOS sensor and 5-axis Dual IS.
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Nikon 1 system
I was an early adopter of Nikon's super compact 1" sensor size system. I have the J1, V2, V3, and J4 bodies plus a range of Nikon 1 lenses.
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Pentax K-01
Pentax's one and only mirrorless camera, with an APS-C sensor. I use a variety of vintage Pentax lenses.