Controversy often generates clicks. And attention. I will not pretend to "analyze" MC or his behavior toward others but will note that in an MC generated thread last night regarding the acquisition of listening skills ( think this same topic, recast in a different thread), I offered a good faith, fairly comprehensive run down on the evolution of my experience, which took account of different aspects, parts of the range from low to high, how that related to equipment I used, and the reasons my views evolved over time.
Perhaps prolix, but I identified the aspects of sound that were important at different intervals in my personal evolution based on learning, experience and seat time, including exposure to live instruments.
I suggested that one did not have to be a trained musician to know what different horns, a piano or double bass sound like and in brief, my "learning" coincided with access to new and better equipment as well as a growing interest in other facets--the technology, its history, the studio and how a particular recording was originally made. I also learned about, and started to pursue listening of entire bodies of music that were originally outside of my ken, but now, with learning, have a better understanding of the history of performance and players and where the music and performance fit into a larger picture, musically/culturally/whatever.
I think age has been kind to me. My high frequency hearing certainly isn’t what it was when I was 20 years old, but I’d like to think the compensation is that, due to a lot of years at this (devoting considerable time, energy, effort and money, among other things) , I have pretty good discernment of what I’m hearing. (Whether I like or prefer one thing to another is a different question).
My contribution, such as it was, probably did not cut any new ground, but was dismissed as "same old;" I was characterized as part of some camp (read: school of thought) here at Audiogon who made claims and should "put up or shut up." I don’t remember making any claims of any sort over the years, other than those based on my experience (or a question due to the lack of it), but I’ve been posting here since 2006.
As I think I made clear in both my original post and its follow up in the redux thread of this topic, I claimed no guruism and expressly eschewed it. There is some science to be had and I have found relevant subject matter experts, whether or not audiophiles, to help fill in the gaps in my own understanding.
But, we are in a field that is as littered with low cost consumer electronics as it is with overpriced baubles and the commercialism of some of it reeks.
Sorting through that thicket is one of the more practical aspects of embracing hobbyist audio, a subject I did not previously address. But one that I think forms the backbone of this forum-- people who are writing to figure something out because there is something they want to buy, something won’t work or some other practical question that may require more than passing familiarity with the gear in question as well as potential technical issues that may go over my head as a non-engineer.
I will say that MC can generate attention. I think he is a good writer, but so much is wasted on "gotcha’s" that it becomes a question whether to read or engage, or simply be amused. Beyond that, I will not venture. I don’t necessarily want him banned, warned or any punitive measures taken. I think all that stuff gets sorted out at a level that is not topical to this forum.
Personally, I find sparring on the Internet to be a waste on so many levels--from basic questions to the more philosophical and sometimes spirited debates over larger issues beyond a particular product or comparison of same. It is not only a waste of time/page space, but engenders ill-will.
I’m sure if I go through MC’s 10,000 posts in 2 years, I’ll find some things we’d agree on (or not). It doesn’t really matter. The question is whether good will is being fostered, or people are put off by MC.
There is no vote being taken, but I figured I am as entitled as anyone here to make these comments in view of what I’ve seen here.
May all of your listening sessions be enjoyable.
Bill Hart
Perhaps prolix, but I identified the aspects of sound that were important at different intervals in my personal evolution based on learning, experience and seat time, including exposure to live instruments.
I suggested that one did not have to be a trained musician to know what different horns, a piano or double bass sound like and in brief, my "learning" coincided with access to new and better equipment as well as a growing interest in other facets--the technology, its history, the studio and how a particular recording was originally made. I also learned about, and started to pursue listening of entire bodies of music that were originally outside of my ken, but now, with learning, have a better understanding of the history of performance and players and where the music and performance fit into a larger picture, musically/culturally/whatever.
I think age has been kind to me. My high frequency hearing certainly isn’t what it was when I was 20 years old, but I’d like to think the compensation is that, due to a lot of years at this (devoting considerable time, energy, effort and money, among other things) , I have pretty good discernment of what I’m hearing. (Whether I like or prefer one thing to another is a different question).
My contribution, such as it was, probably did not cut any new ground, but was dismissed as "same old;" I was characterized as part of some camp (read: school of thought) here at Audiogon who made claims and should "put up or shut up." I don’t remember making any claims of any sort over the years, other than those based on my experience (or a question due to the lack of it), but I’ve been posting here since 2006.
As I think I made clear in both my original post and its follow up in the redux thread of this topic, I claimed no guruism and expressly eschewed it. There is some science to be had and I have found relevant subject matter experts, whether or not audiophiles, to help fill in the gaps in my own understanding.
But, we are in a field that is as littered with low cost consumer electronics as it is with overpriced baubles and the commercialism of some of it reeks.
Sorting through that thicket is one of the more practical aspects of embracing hobbyist audio, a subject I did not previously address. But one that I think forms the backbone of this forum-- people who are writing to figure something out because there is something they want to buy, something won’t work or some other practical question that may require more than passing familiarity with the gear in question as well as potential technical issues that may go over my head as a non-engineer.
I will say that MC can generate attention. I think he is a good writer, but so much is wasted on "gotcha’s" that it becomes a question whether to read or engage, or simply be amused. Beyond that, I will not venture. I don’t necessarily want him banned, warned or any punitive measures taken. I think all that stuff gets sorted out at a level that is not topical to this forum.
Personally, I find sparring on the Internet to be a waste on so many levels--from basic questions to the more philosophical and sometimes spirited debates over larger issues beyond a particular product or comparison of same. It is not only a waste of time/page space, but engenders ill-will.
I’m sure if I go through MC’s 10,000 posts in 2 years, I’ll find some things we’d agree on (or not). It doesn’t really matter. The question is whether good will is being fostered, or people are put off by MC.
There is no vote being taken, but I figured I am as entitled as anyone here to make these comments in view of what I’ve seen here.
May all of your listening sessions be enjoyable.
Bill Hart