It really feels like Christmas already.. except that I am paying for my own presents. But it’s worth it! My JVC system was really getting old, and although I don’t like saying goodbye to stuff - it’s time for its retirement. That doesn’t mean I am throwing it away, God no - it’s still functioning, it just won’t be my main audio setup. Replacing it are a Harman Kardon AVR 247 receiver (7.1) and a neat looking Kef KHT-3005 speaker set. I literally spent a month or so collecting information about possible setups. Taking into consideration my budget, requirements, and how future proof the products are. All the receivers I came across had several minor problems, but the Harman Kardon AVR 247 ended up being the best choice for me.
It arrived 2 days ago. The KEF speakers are not here yet, so had to hook up my JVC speakers to the receiver. The sound quality was already way better. Clarity and volume both increased. Both Harman / Kardon and KEF are renowned audiophile brands. I might have to wait for another week until the speakers arrive, I am looking forward to that day. It’s like a kid getting his or her new toy.
Harman Kardon AVR 247 specifications:
- 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver With HDMI™ Switching and Audio/Video Processing
- 350W: 50 watts x 7 (All channels operating at full-rated power), THD <0.07%, 20Hz - 20kHz into 8 ohms
- 595W: 85 watts x 7, THD <0.07%, @1kHz into 8ohms
Click here for the official product page.
Kef KHT-3005 specifications:
- Frequency Range : 70Hz - 55kHz
- Maximum Output : 108dB SPL @ 1m
- Impedance : 8?
Click here for the official product page.
Surprise, surprise, European nations knew of secret CIA jails. At least that’s what a European parliament report says. A special committee has been investigating the entire CIA secret jails issue for months. The committee was led by Claudio Fava, who said that “Many governments co-operated passively or actively with the CIA”. High ranking EU officials including foreign policy chief Javier Solana were accused by Mister Fava of refusing to provide details about the affair. Another report by the Council of Europe pretty much came to the same conclusion as this report. There has been no hard evidence of secret CIA jails on European territory. The jails were allegedly used in the US War against Terror. US media earlier reported that detention centers were set up in Romania (a future EU member) and Poland (a current EU member). Both nations deny the accusations.
He accused top EU officials including foreign policy chief Javier Solana of failing to give full details to MEPs.
The report echoed allegations made in June by the Council of Europe - Europe’s leading human rights watchdog - that European states were complicit in illegal CIA operations as part of the US-led “war on terror”.
US President George W Bush admitted in September that the CIA had used prisons abroad for the secret detention of terror suspects, but he did not specify where the prisons were.
He insisted the suspects had not been tortured.
Sadly there are still millions of people in Africa and other poor regions that follow the Vatican’s doctrine on condom use. 8000 people a day die because of AIDS. The Vatican has refused to ease their ban on artificial contraceptions. However, at the request of the current Pope, Benedict, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has submitted a study on the issue, and whether easing the ban would be in violation of Christian belief. Many say that the Vatican’s doctrine has killed hundreds of thousands due to it’s backward rules. AIDS campaigners have been pressing the Vatican to change those rules for a long time, but it seems that this Pope is more open to changes. Surely, he can’t ignore the millions of AIDS deaths in the World every year? The Church teaches abstinence as a way to prevent HIV/AIDS infections, which is a very ignorant and naive way to deal with the issue.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica says that under the doctrine of the “lesser evil” the 200-page report could result in a situation in “which it would be possible for the faithful to use prophylactics to avert fatal risks”.
A total rethink could potentially save millions of lives from death and misery, said Brian Haill, president of the Australian AIDS Fund Inc, a Catholic charity helping people living with the disease in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Malawi. But he was not hopeful.
“I’d have to say, if there is any hope at all, however shallow, is that maybe the Pope might at least recognise the dreadful plight of married people where a husband or wife might be HIV infected.”
