Minimalist = No vacation home, no beach house, no lake house, no swimming pool, no airplane, no boat, no jet skis, no race car, no sports car, no motorcycles, no 4 wheelers, no golf cart, no bicycles, no sports equipment, no exercise equipment, no hobby equipment or collections, no power tools (other than a few hand tools), no hunting equipment and rifles, no RV, no travel trailer or camper, minimal wardrobe, no drum sets, no guitars, or other musical instruments, etc.
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I suppose that’s quite minimal considering
I have a similar list but I do have an electric drill
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I guess I’m a minimalist too with all those same items on the don’t need list, except for tools. I do have tons of tools, literally, but mostly for yard work.
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We had too many things on the same 15 amp circuit including family room, dining room, and sun room.
I was able to find a 20 amp circuit in the kitchen with little use and installed this 20 amp receptacle in the sunroom for one of the two space heaters. It’s the one on the right in the photo.
All is good now.
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@Jim_F I’ve said it before, but, loving your little blog updates. Respect 
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I just cancelled my Speedify plan. I recently cancelled Verizon data plans on two iPads and am down to just my wife’s and my iPhones. Since we are no longer spending weeks at a time in NC, my unlimited iPhone with unlimited hotspot data is all I need. Hotspot includes 200 GB of premium data which is plenty. Hotspot speeds drop to 6 Mbps after 200 GB. If that ever happens, I can use unlimited iPhone data with Roon ARC.
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I was just sitting in my listening room thinking how great this sounds. It seems like it sounds way better than it should for the money I have spent. In round numbers:
Sound reproduction electronics - $1,900
Room conditioning - $1,100
Visuals - $600
Listening chair - $1,600
Total - $5,200
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I just received this 8 port Netgear switch so everything can be connected by ethernet (AT&T gateway, U-Verse DVR, Samsung TV, Roon Nucleus, MacMini (late 2014), NucBox G5).
Connected directly to the router is another Netgear switch in the family room (LG TV, Oppo 203, Bose Soundtouch 300, Apple TV 4K) as well as an RPi4 (Chord Mojo 2) for headphone listening in the family room.
I still use WIFI for my listening room RPi4 (Meridian Prime), sunroom ELAC Z3, and Dell XPS15 server/client as well as iPhone and iPads, of course. AT&T WIFI works well with their BGW320-500 gateway.
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The wife and I ordered and received new iPhones today. I got an iPhone 17 Pro Max and she got an iPhone 17 Pro. We upgraded from the same versions of iPhone 13’s. Her’s was free and mine was $100 amortized over 3 years from Verizon. I don’t mind that because I have no plans to leave Verizon, and certainly not within the next three years.
Took about an hour to get both phones backed up and the data copied over from the old phones. I then got my phone paired and working with my CarPlay device. I’m going tomorrow to purchase a couple USB A to USB C cables so we can use a wired connection instead of Bluetooth.
I just now tried my phone with Roon and Roon ARC using Apple AirPods Max and everything seems to be working well.
I have to say, this stuff is much easier and smoother than last time I went throught this. So far, zero issues.
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One year later, the CurverK A+ Taller Ultra-Premium Eames replica is a great listening chair, worth every penny of the purchase price.
AI:
Is the CurverK Eames lounge chair replica considered a high quality chair
Yes, the CurverK Eames lounge chair replica is widely considered a high-quality reproduction. Among online communities like Reddit’s eamesknockoffs and design forums, CurverK’s upper-tier models—specifically the A+ and A++ Taller Ultra Premium lines—are frequently rated as some of the closest and most durable alternatives to the authentic Herman Miller original. [1, 2, 3]
While low-end budget replicas compromise heavily on materials, CurverK targets the enthusiast “buy-it-for-life” market by incorporating premium engineering details. [1, 2]
Core Quality Benchmarks
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Premium Materials: The high-end tiers utilize 100% full-grain Italian aniline leather, which retains a natural leather scent, soft feel, and excellent breathability. The outer shell features a thick, 8-ply laminated wood veneer designed to prevent long-term cracking. [1, 2, 3]
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Authentic Internal Clip System: Cheaper replicas rely on visible screws or cheap velcro to secure the cushions. CurverK replicas use the original design’s internal metal clip system and zippered backing, allowing cushions to be easily removed or reupholstered over decades of use. [1, 2, 3]
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True-to-Design Geometry: The chair maintains the iconic, fixed 15-degree recline angle and proportions. The armrests are designed with a sleeker, lower profile that mirrors the 1956 original, avoiding the bulky, boxy look common on Amazon knockoffs. [1, 2, 3]
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Modern Ergonomics & Sizing: CurverK stands out for offering a 35-inch Taller option and an exclusive 38-inch XXL version. These sizes adjust the classic proportions for modern heights (especially users over 5’8"), offering proper neck and leg support without losing the silhouette. [1, 2, 3]
Direct Comparison: CurverK Ultra Premium vs. Budget Replicas
The table below outlines how CurverK stacks up against typical low-cost alternatives:
CurverK Ultra Premium
Budget Replicas (<$600)
Leather Grade
Premium full-grain Italian aniline
Corrected-grain, bonded, or PU leather
Shell Integrity
8-ply heavy laminated wood veneer
Thin 7-ply or faux-grain plastic coatings
Cushion Attachment
Hidden internal metal clips
Exposed screws, glue, or shifting velcro
Foam Type
High-density dual-layer structural foam
Soft shredded foam that sags over time
Hardware Fit
Die-cast aluminum; unpainted metal clips
Cheap stamped steel; misaligned holes
Noted Trade-offs to Keep in Mind
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Initial Firmness: The dual-layer foam core is engineered for posture support and longevity rather than immediate sink-in softness. Some owners note it takes several weeks of regular use to break in completely.
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Assembly Alignment: Because the components are heavy and dense, attaching the armrests can be tricky. Aligning the bolts perfectly perpendicular requires patience, and using a second person or an electric drill makes the 40-minute process much smoother.
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The Air Sound: The high-resiliency foam cushions feature air ventilation slots. You may hear a quick hiss of escaping air when sitting down or standing up. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
CurverK
Iconic Lounge Chairs - Charles Lounge Chair, CurverK - 5-year warranty included
Made With 8-ply Plywood.Factory Direct Saler. 5 Year Warranty. Free & Fast U.S. Shipping.
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Our power just went off due to storms in the Atlanta area. Once again, my battery backup saved my Roon Nucleus and let me shut down the Nucleus properly. Georgia Power says power might be off for 1.5 hours, but my router is still running, connected to the battery backup.
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@Jim_F I just finished reading this post from the beginning - starting slowly but by the end thoroughly engaged with the story you’ve woven and the visuals to go along with it. I smiled, laughed, shook my head, laughed some more, and found myself thinking about my own mum.
I can imagine the excitement of setting up the new-to-you gear, the back and forth of measuring listening positions with string and the desire to get it just right, the smell of fresh lumber for sound panels, sting of cut fingers working carpet into the correct shape, and so much more. They’re snapshots of an audiophile’s life and one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. Thanks for sharing your story!
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My problem with configurations like this is the issue of extraneous voltages. Connecting too many devices to the same power outlet causes problems—at least in this old building—such as interference noise in the speakers.
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Doesn’t seem to be an issue here in the US in our 27 year old home.
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The evolution of my system changed significantly in 2023 when WAF was no longer in play. From furniture, to gear, to speakers, to subs. I frankly got to do whatever I wanted to, and could afford.
I would up the ante on my speakers, but I don’t think the limitations of my listening room would allow it. Listening room area is approx. 250 square feet.
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