A Rooskie would certainly be the one to know all about brainwashing and propaganda, if anyone does.
Can't we all just get along?
I have not been a member for a very long time, and joined Agon to discuss audio with others in my hobby. Seems to me that almost every post devolves into a hijacked negative argument between a few members that seem to think it's their platform to preach their opinions to any who would listen, and any dissent to what they have to say is met with ridicule/insults, and just downright rudeness.
There will always be differences in opinion, BUT, we can be civilized in how we disagree.
There is already too much negativity in the world. Is it not possible to insulate that from our hobby in this forum, or is this what we have become? Hiding behind our keyboards and not having the courtesy to treat our fellow audio lovers with decency, open-mindedness, and RESPECT !
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czarivey Dontcha realize that audiophile world is a nutshell full of propaganda and brainwash ...Actually, no , and I've been into the high-end for decades. Perhaps you could offer some examples, rather than simply state opinion as fact. When many folks here got used to brainwash and naive audiophile propaganda, they sometimes get offended when truth is spoken ...Do please tell us about this "truth." Or, are your comments an example of the "propaganda and brainwash" that you allege? |
@randy-11 Perhaps I could have been more clear. I think you may have misinterpreted my post. I do not require a "safe place" here, as you put it. I am all for opposing opinions, and free debate, especially when something can be learned from it. I just don't see the need for some of the insults and rude comments/name calling some members direct at others. Hope this clears up the intent of my post. By the way, speaking of learning something new, I have not been able to log on to any forums here in the past couple of days. I know that the system has not been down, as I have received e-mail notifications to any new additions to this post, but I have not been able to get to the page. Has this happened to anybody here before, and if so, what would the cause be? Cheers |
@willemj Yes, modern Germany is a very decent country. I have one of my bikes there, and go visit/ride every summer for a month. I have many good friends there, and it is quite a cool vibe, being there. I have never been treated with anything but respect and with good hospitality wherever I go, despite the language barrier that arises on occasion. Luckily we speak a universal language... Got beer???? LOL Cheers |
@willemj I agree. I like to read about facts here that inform me about audio equipment. I do also, however, value the opinion of most who post here. In my case, that is the main reason I come here. I have a reputation with my extended family for being the "researcher". I am known by them to be the one who will read review after review, both professional and user reviews to help inform me on an upcoming purchase. I'm not talking here about audio but of auto tires, hairdryers, etc. etc. I have rarely after investing the time to do so, been led astray by others' opinions. I look for the commonalities in the statements of others to guide my purchases. To reciprocate, I review many products that I have purchased and try to be as accurate about my experiences as possible so others may benefit as well. Again, no sweat if that's not your thing. I do understand how some folks do not value others' opinions. You don't know them nor they you. It is a leap of trust that I am sure is difficult for some. That's okay! |
The problem in a nutshell is that one man’s fact is another man’s opinion. A recent post stated, ”only quite facts.” Which I (very tactfully, of course) mocked. When two or more people agree on whether some fact is TRUE it doesn’t necessarily mean it is TRUE. That’s why there is such a thing as Appeal to Authority. Claiming to be an authority or claiming to quite a 100% reliable source doesn’t constitute a valid argument. If it did constitute a valid argument, all anyone would have to say to win ANY argument is, “I’m an expert on the subject so I must be right.” Even when the person actually IS an expert in the field, which he may or may not be. I wouldn’t think of impugning anyone’s motives for saying something or another. Furthermore, even experts in a given field disagree. Hel-loo! |
@geoffkait "Furthermore, even experts in a given field disagree." Totally TRUE. In reading about the similar design goals that disparate designers have, it is intriguing how many totally different approaches these various designers employ to get to the same end goal of producing components that are as truthful to the music as possible. |
Paul McGowan of PS Audio records a video daily where he answers an audio question sent in by audiophiles. In watching many of these it is interesting to see how Paul, who has been designing fine gear for decades, has allowed his ears to inform new thinking about basic approaches to circuit design. In one particular video when tubes were being discussed, he admits that although admiring the virtues of tubes, he was a SS designer and as such didn't employ them. Enter, Bascom H. King. In his interactions with Paul, he convinced Paul to utilize tubes in his BHK amps and preamps. Paul admitted in the video that it was the right approach and contributes to the excellent sonics of the BHK gear. That's an audio designer that I want to listen to. He allowed himself to be taken to a new place in the design process even though it didn't fit his established paradigm. |
willemj Geoff, I am not German (my grandfather sailed in convoys on the Atlantic and landed in Normandy delivering ammo on the beach while my father was in a labour camp). But what is the point of such xenophobic remarks? Modern Germany is a perfectly decent country. I never said Germany wasn’t a decent country today. By the way, I used to work with a group of submariners. Ironic, no? It’s also ironic I have the English name, and you the German name. Run silent, run deep. 😁 |
@boxer12 Thanks. Bikes are my other passion. Winter is for audio, summer is for bikes !! I have only had the Manley in play for a bit over a week now, so it's still settling in, but each day I find it a little more rewarding. I'm also still getting familiar with the adjustability of the unit as well. It'll take me a while to get totally comfortable with the change, but so far so good. I'm going to see about eliminating my ARC LS27 from the system later on today. The Manley has a single line stage in/out. Unfortunately all IC's I have that are long enough to reach my power amps are balanced. The Manley is strictly single ended. Steven at Audio Sensibility has been kind enough to let me borrow a pair of his single ended Signature OCC Silver's to see if I like the Manley as a "stand alone" unit, so I'm off to his house this morning to pick them up. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for asking |
Southern France is gorgeous. My wife and I road tripped through Provence many years ago, before kids. We did a little climbing in the Verdon gorge and in the Calanques, by Cassis. What a glorious part of the planet. I also like to ride pedal bikes (push bikes, for you Brits), however my rides are shorter, in the woods and involve dropping off of 5 meter ramps, clearing 3 meter gaps and other such nonsense. I think if I rode bikes like you, I could get my wife to join me, though it wouldn’t be the balm to my ADD that enduro style mountain biking is. @geoffkait the German form of William is Wilhelm. Close.. |
Actually, I think a lot of the negativity comes from positivity ... the need to help your fellow man ........... avoid being ripped off or wasting hard-earned money that could be put to quantified enjoyment elsewhere. The other side is that the other side wants to share their joy. So in a way, the intentions of both sides of these arguments are positive. It's all how you look at it. |
I think the incivility creeps into most threads by a few things working against all of us. First, there is the blog mindset that seems to desensitize normal discourse. My test is whether I would literally say that post to a group of contributors over a beer. If it seems too edgy or offensive (that is, someone visibly becomes uncomfortable, walks out or tosses their drink in my face), then I try to rephrase it. I try to remind myself of that when I write a post. Second, we often talk about audio gadgets that we care about, because of ego, expense, and/or time invested in the hobby. Sometimes I forget that folks care about their gear as much as I do. Perspective via self-reflection is always heathy before clicking that “post your response” button. Third, sometimes written communication simply fails. That’s hard to get around. But it happens. |
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