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.
Over the years, I’ve refined this setup to focus on tools that are reliable, thoughtfully designed, and a joy to use. Whether it’s software, computing gear, music production equipment, audio-visual components, or photography kit, each item here has earned its place through frequent use and long-term value.
Computing
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."
2023 Mac Studio
Main Computer, with 64GB memory, 2TB SSD, together with an OWC ThunderBay 4 mini with 4x8TB SSDs ands OWC miniStack.
2023 MacBook Pro
Portable AI workhorse, with M3 Max, 128GB memory, 2TB SSD.
DELL UP2718Q 27" 4K display
Dell's Ultra HD HDR Professional Monitor with HDR10 and Adobe RGB.
Epson DS-570
Epson's Wi Fi connected document scanner.
Epson ET-7500
Epson's photo quality Multi Function printer, scanner and copier.
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.
LaCie 5big Thunderbolt 2 [deprecated]
Thunderbolt attached RAID array with 5x8TB disks.
UNICOMP Model M Keyboard
IBM's classic keyboard, manufactured by a company that took over IBM's original keyboard factory in Lexington.
Audio Visual
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.
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.
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.
Halo P7 7.1 Channel Preamplifier
An analog-audio-only audiophile quality preamp that supports up to seven channels.
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.
Musical Fidelity A5cr power amplifier x 4
4 units of dual mono choke regulated amplification provides 8 channels of 250W each.
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.
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.
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.
Sony WM-1A Walkman
Sony's Signature Series Premium Digital Music Player.
Technics SL-1200 Mark 7 turntable
The iconic turntable, used by DJs all around the world, in it's 50th anniversary limited edition.
Music Production
Edirol SD-90
The ultimate pro version of the Sound Canvas. A digital audio workstation in a box.
Kawai MP-10
The MP10 is an outstanding professional stage piano with authentic wooden keys that simulated the action of a grand piano.
Komplete Control S88 Mark II
Native Instruments' 88-key hammer-action Fatar keybed with true piano feel.
Komplete Kontrol M32
Micro-sized keyboard controller with synth-action keybed, Smart Play features, NKS ready, OLED display and touch strips.
Mackie MR5 Mark II studio monitors
A lot of sound in a very compact unit.
Mackie ONYX 1200i mixer
Analog and USB 12 channel mixer.
Maschine 3
Native Instrument's integrated production and performance system includes sampler, arranger, mixer, FX, and a built-in audio interface.
Photography
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.
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.
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.
Pentax K-01
Pentax's one and only mirrorless camera, with an APS-C sensor. I use a variety of vintage Pentax lenses.
Sony A6500
Sony's premium APS-C camera.
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.
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.
Apps
LM Studio
Discover, download, and run local LLMs.
Obsidian
Obsidian is the private and flexible writing app that adapts to the way you think.
Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a streamlined code editor with support for development operations like debugging, task running, and version control.
Zed
Zed is a next-generation code editor designed for high-performance collaboration with humans and AI.