@elliottbnewcombjr you are good with words! Funny stuff about the weight.
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Anyone know whatever happened to @mahgister? |
riie52 posts Wanna bet you will be back? I put a twenty on it! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, my big bet is $5.00 where do I send it? |
Come on, the results of this horse race were announced long ago in this post. Now if you really want an enjoyable bet, try this one: will I ever comment in a thread about cables or power conditioners again at SHF? The going is wet, the jockey is experienced, the rest of the field are all fillies and there is no prize at stake. |
Cables (and their length), power conditioners, FUSES, SCHUMANN RESONATORS, capacitor swaps, crossover swaps/rebuilds, HFT OILS (or whatever that liquid magic you rub on your connectors), cable elevators or keeping them off the ground in some fashion, TONEARM TAPE, record mats/isolators, record clamps or weights, isolation/springs/absorption platforms.....take away all the tweak conversations and you're not left with much. BTW, you can tell the ones I am doubtful of the potential sonic improvements they can provide (doesn't mean there aren't any or nobody believes they provide them) by them being capitalized. Hey @elliottbnewcombjr - were you just trolling all along? Glad to have anyone who adds to the conversation, even the ones who disagree, as long as they are not the teacher in the Monty Python "The Argument" sketch. |
@dogberry LOL, nice example. SHF is one place I will no longer be wasting my time at. |
sokogear I would never troll. This encouragement ALL came after I said goodbye. Not only did I believe I was wasting my time, I imagined many who just wished I'd go away. Had no idea many 'quietly' thought my posts worthwhile. The DPReview photo site is closing, depressing, perhaps it was the other side of the coin, me being in control rather than 'them'. |
+1 @pennpencil
so very sorry to see you go , you will be missed as you set a fine example of how to be a respectful human being . Somehow this is becoming a lost art . |
@elliottbnewcombjr , now that I finished reading - welcome back . you are an asset to this forum . being from Philly ( and a big sports fan ) it can be tough to like a New Yorker / New Jersey person :) However since I married one it became necessary !
welcome back . |
firberger thanks for the encouragement, I worked in Philly for 1 year, 1977 I think. Commuted from New Jersey, 1 hr 40 mins each way. Only saw the city during client meetings/lunches, construction project supervision. Physically it had an advantage over NYC, because NYC had destroyed so much historic architecture, a million boring metal storefronts installed; whereas Philly had retained those elements. Donna and I went for 3 day weekends a few times, not in a while though. |
Physically it had an advantage over NYC, because NYC had destroyed so much historic architecture, a million boring metal storefronts installed; whereas Philly had retained those elements.
What happened in NYC sounds like what's happening in the UK. Most of the major cities are now almost unrecognisable compared to just 40 years ago. The population seems to be growing faster than ever and the need for more housing is obvious. It's almost like the 1960s high rise explosion happening again. This is kind of ironic since the UK spent most of the 1980s and 1990s complaining about how awful those architectural monstrosities. One voice in particular regularly harped on about them back then. In a few weeks time he's about to coronated as the new king. Nowadays I wish I had taken more photographs of my old haunts for memory's sake. All this rapid change kind of reminds me of that Morrissey line,
David, the wind blows |
We've talked via PM a few. And it's sad to see you go but no party lasts forever and I hope whatever you do, you find more joy. But I advise against joining AVS, haha. Not kidding. I think the issue you have with this site can be broken down into 3 parts. 1) The chat format of this forum is poorly designed, not easy to reply to other posts, not easy to post pictures. Not easy to get the attention of others. Plus some other things. In this regard, Gon has a lot to learn from AVS. 2) I once read an article that retired people don't miss working, they just miss the connections and the friendships they could maintain. I get this. 3) Lastly, this part is vast and complicated but it has to do with the abundance of online connection. People can talk to anyone they want, anytime they want. It has become too much. and so no one can talk to everyone. Someone has to be ignored, and often people ignore others. As noted, this is a deep subject and I'm only scratching the surface.
Glad to have had you here. |
samureyexYes, I remember our PM's. Thanks for your comments, after some fast encouragement, I decided to stick around, yapping more than ever. More than anything, I really dislike efforts to prevent us from contacting each other. I have 4 'regulars' nearby. For years we get together at each other's home to listen, lunch/dinner with spouses .... I have had to sneak my info, and gained 4 new friends, 3 in NJ, 1 in CT, they come here, we listen to music; equipment; cartridges; go out for meals ... (1 at a time due to covid precautions) DPReview, we encourage contact, I've made several new friends, I go there, they come here, we plan photo shoots. Someone visit's NYC, we meet, usually at B&H Photo, go from there. DPR is closing, many of us traded contact info asap. That's a very real community, Sony being the most friendly forum on the site. This site should encourage contact as well. I gather that some/many do not have many or no nearby friends to share their acquired system and music with. Members here probably live close enough to get together, they just don't know it. |
Elliott, I too am a shutterbug, not as active as I used to be but I have several cameras. I want to thin my collection of cameras, mostly in order to get some cash to buy new lenses. Other than eBay, which I abhor for the casual one-off sale, is there a website for selling cameras that is analogous to Audiogon or US Audio Mart? Thanks. And I apologize if this question seems inappropriate here, but since E is not leaving us..... |
@elliottbnewcombjr I've started selling/buying locally via USAM and the experience has been all positive. Had a nice gentleman over listening to my system and the tube amp that I was selling to him. We listened for an hour even though the room was far from ideal. Best part is, he really liked the amp with his Magnepan, some older model. I hope to have the chance to buy/sell locally more often and meet more fellas with the same passion/hobby. |
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@elliottbnewcombjr I am very familiar with the meeting with others to enjoy the common interest of Listening to Recorded Music on the Systems in use in a selection of Homes. My Local Group is now up to Nine Members. At present all my listening is done on Systems owned by others, even though some of the devices demonstrated on a day are occasionally supplied by myself. I am not really keen on being a shut away in a room sole listener anymore, the evolving in number social side and getting a measure on the capability of ones own system, as a comparison to other in use, has become the most desired experience to be maintained. Prior to the Local HiFi Group becoming available, I have travelled frequently to meet on a social basis with like minded individuals, some return Journeys having been quite substantial. As for Photography, I don't do a great deal of forum visits, I participate more, with Nature being my main subject. There are places I visit within a month, where there are good facilities, and it is quite easy to encounter others after a excursion at a on-site Coffee Bar and engage in conversation about subjects and equipment. I am transitioning from one Camera Technology to another and have been selling the older technology equipment. To Date using Ebay, the option for Cash on Collection or Bank Transfer as the only Payment Method, has kept me secure as a Vendor and I have sold all offered items, even if some sales took a little longer to find the Buyer accepting this method of payment. It is nice to know that there are customers who accept the info offered in the Advert and are not looking for a Back Door to have their own advantage over a sale, or use a sale as Hire Only and return goods once they have been used for the Buyers purposes within the allowed for returns period.
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lewm, others I encourage you to re-consider eBay. It’s the largest audience of international buyers and sellers. I buy and sell on eBay very successfully for many years, as has Donna and her twin sister. I gotta get back to selling after my upcoming back surgery. Cameras and Lenses: I have bought and sold a few used on eBay. I don’t have any experience with other camera sites, except buying from B&H Photo used dept. Audio: eBay: bought tube amp, tube preamp, cd/sacd player; yamaha receiver; 2 pairs of AR-2ax speakers, Luxman Tube Amp; Chase Remote Line Controller(s); tube tester; AV Power Controller; 2 Turntables; several R2R tape decks; over 500 R2R tapes Sold lots of tapes, lps, McIntosh SS amp; McIntosh SS Preamp; Carver AM/FM; Carver Amp; helped a friend sell postal stamps to buyers all over the world. Buying: I always ask questions and get answers in writing, to have a ‘paper trail’ in case of rare trouble. I’ve had a few over the years, and always got full refunds. Also, I use my credit card with best protection to fund my PayPal account, to get double protection. The tonearm from Russia, I called the CC company 1st, they assured me I would be covered. Ship: I always double box and require it: because single box does not qualify for insurance claim if needed. Forget friends and family, pay or split the fee and get the buyer’s protection. Sell: I have carefully thought out ‘general’ notes, then I add ‘specific’ notes, darn good photos, and encourage questions. I take the time to understand both domestic and int’l shipping costs, weigh stuff, IOW, no surprises to me or buyer regarding shipping cost. Sometimes list the weight and box size, let the buyer figure it out. UPS Pack and Ship: I have both offered it, and used it. Buyer makes arrangements, seller simply drops unboxed item at local UPS office, buyer pays UPS directly to pack and ship. I always offer unconditional return/refund. I’ve had only 1 piece of equipment arrived destroyed (my fault that time), 1 tape destroyed by usps, 2 other R2R tapes when I gave full refund even though …. Feedback supports my 100% rating, if done right it can be fun and rewarding. I’ve used Facebook Marketplace, to sell tires, buy used bicycles, but that’s all ‘quick, real bargain’ deals, not a good source for selling in my experience. Hifishark has led me to many other sites, all successfully. I’ve got an account setup to bid on Yahoo Auctions, have the patience to wait for stuff from China, Japan, ….. Professionally, designing and building Corporate Office Space for 46 yeasrs: part of my success was in anticipating what could go wrong, and finding methods of preventing that. Got me ready for eBay! |
Here is why I don’t like eBay for selling: I sell, either audio or camera gear, very infrequently, but I certainly do have experience with eBay. I just bought something on eBay, and I noted that I have 140 feedback entries, all positive, but that is over a period of more than 20 years, probably much longer, and in the vast majority of those transactions, I was the buyer. For the person who is running a business, eBay is probably a godsend. For the hobbyist like me, as a seller, eBay is a pain in the arse. First, they decide on the shipping cost, even when I can almost always ship at a lower cost than they estimate. Then they crank in the cost of shipping when they calculate their own percentage of the total transaction dollars, which artificially inflates their premium. Why should they take a percentage of the shipping cost? Second, I have a problem with returns, if I am selling to a total stranger. I have had the experience of a buyer breaking the item and then sending it back to me for refund, BECAUSE of the damage. The damage in such instances is definitely not due to mishandling by the shipper or poor packing. This has happened more than once. Third, the questions they ask of sellers, when you are filling in their pre-sale questionnaire, are not relevant to the single-time user, yet you cannot get past the questions unless you respond to them all, no matter how nonsensical. So, I am still hoping that someone can suggest an alternative market for photography goods on the internet. B&H and Adorama, etc, are great businesses, and I probably would buy from them, but I am just guessing that they don’t pay too well for used gear, compared to what one might receive in a person to person transaction. I’ve donated several cameras to a local high school that has a photography course, rather than selling them on eBay. That’s how I feel about eBay, as a seller. |
lewm It’s not for you, just to let others know: I have to do new calculations, but I think I was planning on total fees (eBay and PayPal) being 15%, even 20% is not bad considering the world of buyers who see your item. Just add it in the price, or keep your price lower and look at it as a commission you pay any agent selling for you. I charged lower prices on the sites with lower fees. Fee on shipping is annoying, however, sellers had figured out how to charge low prices for the item and high prices for the shipping, thus artificially reducing selling fees, SOOOO they put an end to that. It’s been a while, I forget how shipping costs worked out, R2R tapes and LP’s, media mail, often I would buy the shipping label from eBay because there is no way to mess up the verified shipping address. Other times, I might ship for less and give a credit to the buyer, that keeps them happy and reduces the fee charged by the amount of the credit. Or, I enter box size and weight, and that’s the cost. Prepaid shipping labels, via eBay or via my Stamps.com account (free) lets you simply put a pile of packages on the usps counter and walk away, no waiting in lines. |
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If you expect validation in the form of comments here, you're usually going to be disappointed. However, there's a much larger body of "lurkers" who read and appreciate but don't comment. I sometimes get a very nice PM or hook up on a sale with someone who's familiar with my postings on various groups. I enjoy participating here on its own merits, but it IS nice to get occasional validation too. But if you're not seeing that appreciation manifest, then just remember there are MANY silent audiophile out there who DO actually appreciate it :) |
mulveling,You are correct, sir, there are lots of "lurkers" on this forum and, you are correct again, we do read and appreciate the "wiser one's" contributions.I consider myself mostly a lurker, but I'll take this opportunity to say Thanks to All contributors. |
It’s nice to get some feedback, especially after one has put some time into a thoughtful post, but no one is required to respond, of course. What amuses me about many OPs are the ones that ask for help, get responses, and without addressing any of them in their second post announce that they bought component X. They must have created the thread 5 minutes before they hit buy on the purchasing site. They probably didn’t want feedback but by creating the post hopefully created some clarity for their decision |
mahler123I agree, take no heed of the advice, just get what you had your eye on. Oh well. Once, I think my SUT, after a short number of responses, I told everyone, "I just couldn't wait, bought it". But that was after members had taught me a great deal about SUTs in another long thread, i.e. got me ready to choose. Searching for a long tonearm: Asked advice about the Blackbird 12.5" Russian Tonearm: I waited many months, but had to go against the advice given, I just had to. I was told by our missing Russian member Chakster: "Don't do it. The only thing Russians know how to make is weapons." I'm glad I risked it, turns out to be a winner. It was Chakster's warning that made me buy a 3 year Square Trade Warranty. It needed to be rewired (a design flaw since fixed), VAS re-wired it and Square Trade paid in full. 1. a quickie after asking .... 2, long delay, then against advice ... Luckily both worked out. I think those 2 are the only ones other members might think WTF, why did he ask!
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I stated on numerous occasions certain Posts made by myself are strictly for the 'OP' and the 'lookers in' from the now an the 'future'. I don't foresee much of what I am writing, being of a inspiration value to the limited number who usually post, but occasionally I have a private mail session with healthy exchanges where I have prompted a response. It is nice to think that somebody has discovered info that has been of use.
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Sorry to see you leave the forum. One would hope that those responsible for discouraging you read your very civil statement of reasons. This should all be about sharing personal experiences to help each other; too often now it is about some arcane need to know better and tell people off. I have every sympathy for your thinking and wish you all the best whatever the future may hold. Farewell |
As someone relatively new to Audiogon, I have gotten an incredible amount of value from reading posts here. Yes, there are some that definitely fall into the gutter, but that is countered by so many that are informative, helpful, and are clearly full of passion to help others. I have posted a bit in my short time and it can be intimidating, given that some folks do seem to prefer to tell others how wrong they are rather than have constructive conversations. I've told myself that if I can be helpful to someone at some point, none of the rest of it matters, plus it is fun to chat about a audio gear! @elliottbnewcombjr Thank you for your contributions. Whenever I have come across your posts, I admire your input and involvement in this forum. |
antigrunge2I was just in need of a booster shot, I'm sticking around.
cbrez thanks, one thing is that you can speed read my posts, they are like a broken record, same answers, I should create a word document that I can cut and paste from. I'm having a ball importing photos now that I figured it out, soooo easy. |
everyone, I started this when I was depressed that the DPReview camera site was going to shut down. Someone did something, it never closed. It did change from that goodbye/oh never mind period: less fun, more matter of fact, a few left and never returned .... some new ’I know it all’ types, some new terrific photographers, and is still a darn good site to stay involved in. |
@elliottbnewcombjr Delighted to hear dpreview is still going. I thought it was gone. What a truly great database. We need the hi-fi equivalent. |
noromance I joined DPR July 2012, awaiting the announced Sony rx100m1 camera, 1" sensor in a new miniaturized body. Revolutionary at that time. I got two of the original Made In Japan batch. yap, yap, yap, I just checked, I currently have18,596 posts there. lots of encouragement there, I am active on both the Sony Cyber-shot, and Olympus Compact forums. Have learned a lot there.
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I never had time to get into photography until I retired. I got myself an Olympus 4/3 or rather OM System OM1 (still has the Olympus logo on the front). I always had to take 100 pictures to get one good one. That was incredibly expensive with film. Digital has changed all that. Now I can take 60 pictures a second and erase them all in a few seconds. |