As I was thinking about Pure Note, Ridge Street and Argent, among others, I decided to give Pure Note Cerulean a try - simply because they sounded as good as the others, but a bit cheaper with theirn discount at this time. You have to start somewhere, so I mailed Tom Swenson of Pure Note for a quotation for S/Cs and I/Cs. I offered to pay by bank transfer, Swenson answered that he does not accept bank transfers, as it was a security risk. I asked how this could be, as I wanted to transfer the money plus shipping costs to his account in the US before he had to send out anything. He answered that these were the recommendations of the US Homeland Security Office, but that he would accept a bank draft cheque. I answered that, with all due respect, the fight against terrorism had its satirical aspects if a German customer cannot even get the coordinates of a US bank account these days, but that I would contact my bank about the cheque nonetheless. This I did, and accordingly wrote that I was willing to forward a cheque. I have not heard from Pure Note since, although I send several e-mails, the only reason I can imagine is hurt patriotism. It`s a sad thing and a sign of the times, that even a hobby like high end gets touched by this. I even tried to order through Pure Note´s website, but obviuously Swenson decided not to sell to somebody who would call a security element of the US Homeland Security Office satirical. Still, at leat an answer to my inquiries would have been appropriate, I think. So I will now buy Ridge Street Audio cables. Strange how even things audio can develop these days.
