Getting to Bottleheadquarters

[marantzfan]

I am going to be in Seattle (sort of, actually at the airport Hilton) for a convention in a little under two weeks and would love to stop by Bottleheadquarters if that is ok. 

If so, what is the best way to get there?  I don't know if I will be renting a car or not.

Anthony

[Doc B.]

You take the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. It's about a 25 minute ride and the ferries run roughly every hour. You can drive on and we are about 5 minutes up the road from the Bainbridge Island terminal.

[marantzfan]

Ok, thanks Doc.  I think I remember seeing that there is public transit from the airport area to downtown, so maybe I can swing this without having to rent a car. 

[Paul Birkeland]

Ok, thanks Doc.  I think I remember seeing that there is public transit from the airport area to downtown, so maybe I can swing this without having to rent a car.

I don't really live that far from the airport, depending on the day and the time you'd like to visit, I may be able to pick you up on the way to work.

[Doc B.]

If that doesn't work out you can indeed take the light rail from the airport to downtown for cheap. It's maybe 5 or 6 blocks to the ferry terminal from the Pioneer square station. With enough lead time we can probably arrange to pick you up on the Bainbridge side if there's only one of you. One visitor failed to mention that he brought three friends along and it was not much fun squeezing them all plus me into my four passenger car. Good thing I didn't drive the toyota pickup that day.

[marantzfan]

It's just going to be me.  I'll be in town for a hotel industry convention and seriously doubt any of those goobers even knows what a vacuum tube is. 

I'll be in town the 12th to the 14th, most likely the 14th will work out the best.  I hear there is some decent beer made up in that part of the country as well.  Just need to make sure I time it right since I'm flying out that evening.   

[Doc B.]

OK, best to check back in as the date gets closer. Happen to have several things going on at that time with friends and relatives and I want to be sure to be able to squeeze in a visit. Unfortunately the 14th might not work out as I will probably need to be in Seattle fairly early that day.

[marantzfan]

That's too bad.  The 13th I'll be in seminars all day and the 12th is a Sunday, so it's looking like the 14th is the only time I will get a chance.  Is Bottleheadquarters a storefront with regular business hours?  In other words, even if you aren't there, is it still open to the public? 

[Doc B.]

Not really a storefront, more of an office/listening studio, but yes there would be someone here. Josh and PB are usually here on Tuesdays and they would be happy to show you the place. Eileen and I will probably be in earlier in the day, but we will need to leave sometime in the afternoon.

[marantzfan]

Ok, that will work then.  I am planning on being there earlier in the day, so perhaps I'll still get a chance to meet you Doc.

[Doc B.]

Great! Looking forward to it.

[marantzfan]

Well, I made it to Seattle.  It looks like my only meeting on Tuesday ends at 9:30am, so from there I will start the trek out to Bainbridge Island.  I'm guessing that puts me there somewhere around 11-11:30AM... 

PB, sorry for not responding to you sooner, but without having a better idea of my schedule I wasn't sure when I'd be heading that direction so I didn't want you to hedge any plans on me.  If you are heading this direction around 9:30am, I'll gladly take you up on your offer.

[Paul Birkeland]

PB, sorry for not responding to you sooner, but without having a better idea of my schedule I wasn't sure when I'd be heading that direction so I didn't want you to hedge any plans on me.  If you are heading this direction around 9:30am, I'll gladly take you up on your offer.

Sure, PM me with where I can pick you up.

-PB

[marantzfan]

PM sent.

[marantzfan]

I want to take a moment to thank Dan, Paul and Josh for the wonderful time I had visiting Bottleheadquarters.  Getting to meet the three of you and see where you guys make all this wonderful gear come to life was really enjoyable and getting to hear Dan's system was ear opening to say the least.  I even got to hear the DAC prototype that everyone is going crazy about right now (and rightfully so, it sounded amazing and I'm saving up now to get myself one.)

Unfortunately I have been swamped trying to get caught up from this trip since I returned and am just now getting a chance to write.  Thank you all for going out of your way to accommodate me, Paul for going out of his way to give me a ride and great conversation, Dan for showing me his system and just how good tape can sound and Josh for packing me a little (big, actually) surprise for my trip back.

You run a first class operation and bring joy to so many folks with what you do.

Anthony