AA for us

that was a rhetorical question I guess...

Are we talking about the same person here?

@bolong

Guttenberg only discusses equipment that he already likes if that is what you mean.

that part is fair. He had said it and explained why there is no point in reviewing what he does not.

Disclaimer: I don’t like his reviews. I honestly don’t understand his popularity. The words he is using, the methodology (if any), it’s so vague and inconclusive, I learn nothing. It’s a tough job, I admit, reviewing stereo equipment, but Erin’s AudioCorner is pretty good, and a few others, who were born without the ability to BS and everything they say is relevant, they say it for a reason, for what they want you to know, not for what they want you to feel or like or believe.

I also think he talks down, he has a lecturing style that I don’t get.

Guttenberg only discusses equipment that he already likes if that is what you mean. I have never heard him give a negative review because that stuff is not what he reviews. The word "promoter" as you were using it seemed to imply that he is a paid lackey for some product. That is a rather disingenuous observation in his case.

I did hear him review the Holo Audio Serene and detected a slight note of reluctance in his voice. His friend Herb Reichert of Stereophile had given it a glowing review, and there I did notice Guttenberg giving an ostensibly glowing review that was still holding something back. That's the first and only time I thought I saw him looking mildly self-coerced to give a positive review.

@bolong From the other angle: I guess you can be a promoter - primarilly, when your review is not focusing on objectivity. You would just say nice things about the product - in a way that you are not lying but not making an effort either.

Real reviews are done in a bubble, usually with products borrowed from a friend and not from the manufacturer .

Whereas when you review and not promote, you are focusing on the product and your methodology, to be transparent and thorough and fair and conclusive, If any of those are missing, it’s a presentation not a review.

If your review is positive, you can be called a promoter but it depends on the context.

By which was meant that every reviewer I have encountered is inherently promoting something whether it be in the positive or negative sense.

Is it possible to be a reviewer without being a promoter?

Gutenberg is a promoter, not a reviewer, as I read somewhere was his own admission.

His last youtube post about the KLIPSCH OJAS speaker was funny. Unintentionally

 

@avsjerry

"Curious about the success rate is v the blind luck of the draw"

I have a few reviewers I tend to trust. Jay's Iyagi's ears are close to mine. He has made some misguided comments in the past, but overall I trust his commentary. Steve Guttenberg is another reviewer I follow routinely.

We only have ourselves to blame, my man....take care...

@bolong ....'speed dating '...

Sounds like what we used to try to do...;)

Curious about the success rate is v the blind luck of the draw 

most go through ..

Lucky or Doomed *L*

Anyway...

@grislybutter I tossed the towel in some 20ish years ago, 

It became apparent that the cutting edge of audiophilia and the 

that needed to keep that edge up was becoming less 

appealing to throw $'s at. 

Already Napster-clones, file sharing, digital diddling,

space equalizing with calibrated mics was a helluva lot 

more affordable than a Krell or Apogee anything.

Besides, in some way it's more of a challenge to

attempt the improbable and pull it off.... ;)

... just noting that the power here will be at least a

week away... water is mutating into a daily "Potable OR no" 

ritual.

My light is a 3D flash with a tall empty Rx amber bottle 

adding a 'tres chic Disaster Zone 'glow' ' to this space..

Which is measuring 18db...3 more if I breathe 

... delicious dark for another mystery treat...

 

@bolong. Got it.... I feel this is hobby to me is more like gambling. I keep going back and losing 

@grislybutter 

I was attempting to liken "dating" people with dating components, and in some cases apparently "speed dating."

"She's a Beauty... One in a million girls....

Why would I lie..."

@bolong Not for me. I am an introvert, making connections, new relationships is way outside my comfort zone

@limomangus I hope you are not blaming me 

Dam I was checking out ebay again...

Take your pick audiophiles. It's kind of the same thing.

Dating Sites

I really haven't bought any audio equipment in a few,years .But yesterday and today I bought Cyndi Lauper a cd set of 5 albums ,a best of double cd .Today I bought a,lot of 7 of her cds ....yeah I'm a wacko...

Going to start a forum to get off an audio repartee discussion 

It's bound to be obvious in it's title... ;)

That surrealism doesn't fade much, nor is it expected 

to for quite a while  Finally got to drive over the large

bridge you've likely seen in the videos.

The bulk of the visible damage is South/East quadrant

of the bridge to the river...

We lived through that on the North/West quad,

near the edge of that mud field.

Grateful that we're pretty much unscathed with

just the rigors of water for months being a daily chore.

One could live in Gaza and really have a rational to bitch..

"SURVIVOR: ASHEVILLE"

Dazed and bemused, J

 

 

@asvjerry I have watched videos of the area, surreal...

We're kinda stunned.....

Ringside seats to the Disaster next to us,

slept through the night, the rain and wind

drowning out the Swananoa River, having destroyed 

the town named the same, took that downhill and 

bulldozed the Village with it...

Too much to tell 

T'aint over, either 

More later likely 

J

I hope you are ok @asvjerry 

* snooze brake*

.... still alive from the Disaster Zone/Helene Redux..

The quaint joy of being Uphill Enough to watch the

Biltmore Village turn into muddy trash... being on the

'wrong side of the tracks '   can be advantageous 🤙

No power or water, gas was on then off back on...

Grace 'midst chaos J

I can help @limomangus - as soon as I find my own sponsor 

Yeah last month $625 in cds and albums...then this month $677 albums n cds...that's a,problem. 

@ghdprentice 

You have interesting stories. I guess everyone has to find their own way. As someone said hi-end audio is 90% BS. You just have to find the 10% that isn't to you.

@cdc

+1 Unfortunately you are correct. I have a friend that just chooses components individually… and doesn’t get the concept of synergy, and is stubborn, not listening to advice. He has a +$50K system that literally does not sound as good as a boom box. Absolutely no bass, lifeless. He occasionally buys another $10K piece and is disheartened all over again and just lets it sit in the living room unused. I could fix it in a day by swapping two components.

I usually get the first 20% completely messed up and then it's all downhill from there. 

As the saying goes, if you can't get all the components together right, might as well be listening to a boombox.

@kennyc did you REALLY have to bring up my other problem??? 

 

@grislybutter 

Make sure you don’t isolate aka get some regular social contacts in your life.

Mental health is important especially when we get older. 

Funny at least you know you have a problem, lol.

I pulled out those Tang-Band recently and for the first time in a LONG, LONG time actually enjoyed listening to MUSIC on the real stereo.

With all due respect to those who say to listen to the music, I would submit that is not possible with many stereos. Not for me anyhow.

@oberoniaomnia 

court appointed guardian

wife does a good job :)

 

Your system is epic! To put it lightly. Thanks for the evolution story...

@grislybutter If this is really more serious, then there are shopping addiction programs; audio GAS is just a variation on shopping addiction. The extreme case would be to go the Brittney route, getting a court appointed guardian for your financial matters. 

Glad you like my system. Most of it is one purchase after starter system.

Speakers B&W CM6S2 -> Sibelius SG (single driver Voight tube: hi @cdc  ): Very happy no need to change. (also a REL T9 sub)

Integrated Rotel RA 1572 -> PrimaLuna EVO 300 Pre with Pass XA25 [no need to change, maybe a bit of tube rolling; might want to try do do two XA25 as monoblocks]

TT: a bit longer train from Pro-ject 6.1 to bad HiEnd store recommended "upgrade" Thorens TD203 [POS] to VPI super prime scout [intermediate] to Rega Naia [endgame]

PS from no name box to Vincent PHO 701 (ok) to EAT eglow petite [better] to ???? [endgame]

[A Zesto SUT is on order]

DAC: built-in Rotel integrated to HoloAudio May L2 [endgamish]

Room treatment with furniture, books, plus home made stuff; all a no to low cost.

Just to illustrate the path of UPGRADING when upgrading, and taking my time to do it. 

P.S. Tarun vs Haroun: did that from vague auditory memory. Got the vowels right at least. LOL. Haroun was the name of one of my TAs and later invited me to contribute a chapter to a book.

Go Single driver

@grislybutter The earth will forget to twitch.

OP…. “I usually get the first 20% completely messed up and then it's all downhill from there.“. 😂🤣😂

@mijostyn oh, cool. What's the bad news then? 

@grislybutter Not to worry friend. At some point the earth will twitch again on its axis and we will be in another ice age. The polar bears will laugh as we get buried under a mile of ice.  

I usually get the first 20% completely messed up and then it's all downhill from there. 

                                       *** Introducing the world premier ***

                                                "The 80 percent rule"

 

I improved my OCD with a hot new concept I like to call "The 80 percent rule"

If I may, ghdprentice is a good example of this. Perfecting the last 20% when the first 80% is messed up. All too often, you optimize a fundamentally flawed system. This is common in HEA where "it’s all about that last 2%."

IME, get the basics right and the other stuff doesn’t matter that much. It puts things in perspective: 2%, or even 20%, is not much compared to 80%.

@deep_333 can we all name our kids Taylor not have this problem?

I also like Haroun - A British Audiophile's rule of thumb when upgradi

It's TARUN (not Haroun or Heroin)...I understand it's not as common as BillyBob or Cheesyslob, but, it's a rather easy name to say. Simply add a TA in front of a RUN, not too hard, right??

@mahler123 yes, Europe is (mostly) great! Avoid Hungary :)

Thank you for your kind note,

 

@grislybutter 

sorry to hear that audio has become an obsession for you and that the fun factor has been replaced by fallout from that.

  I think travel is great.  I am in Europe now and for the last week my internet reception was terrible.  It’s liberating, really; I’ve been taking in new experiences and purging my mind of mental clutter.

  

@oberoniaomnia again, you are treating me as if I were normal, without serious issues  One must show up for the intervention and be talked to, as a patient, to start the healing.

BTW British Audiophile is wicked awesome. 

You have an incredible system. 

Being mindful that every marriage and committed relationship is a personal choice, I have concluded it would not be wise to conceal my audio or sports memorabilia acquisitions or liquidations from my wife. Early in our marriage, we realized a joint bank account and open dialog was best for us. Our respective daily work schedules and family responsibilities were stressful enough without worrying if clandestine purchases could be orchestrated to avoid detection. 

Please understand I am not passing judgment. Conceding my wife of over 50 years does not share my enthusiasm for audio and seldom ventures into my dedicated music listening area, my enjoyment is enhanced by knowing she has given her seal of approval. Plus, she can read me like a book and has the art of internet research perfected.