glubson, I'm pretty sure you're exhibiting at least one of the symptoms as we speak.
Talk but not walk?
Hi Guys
This isn't meant to start a fight, but it is important to on lookers. As a qualifier, I have my own audio forum where we report on audio issues as we empirically test them. It helps us short cut on theories and developing methods of listening. We have a wide range of systems and they are all over the world adding their experiences to the mix. Some are engineers, some are artist and others are audiophiles both new and old. One question I am almost always asked while I am visiting other forums, from some of my members and also members of the forum I am visiting is, why do so many HEA hobbyist talk theory without any, or very limited, empirical testing or experience?
I have been around empirical testing labs since I was a kid, and one thing that is certain is, you can always tell if someone is talking without walking. Right now on this forum there are easily 20 threads going on where folks are talking theory and there is absolutely no doubt to any of us who have actually done the testing needed, that the guy talking has never done the actual empirical testing themselves. I've seen this happen with HEA reviewers and designers and a ton of hobbyist. My question is this, why?
You would think that this hobby would be about listening and experience, so why are there so many myths created and why, in this hobby in particular, do people claim they know something without ever experimenting or being part of a team of empirical science folks. It's not that hard to setup a real empirical testing ground, so why don't we see this happen?
I'm not asking for peoples credentials, and I'm not asking to be trolled, I'm simply asking why talk and not walk? In many ways HEA is on pause while the rest of audio innovation is moving forward. I'm also not asking you guys to defend HEA, we've all heard it been there done it. What I'm asking is a very simple question in a hobby that is suppose to be based on "doing", why fake it?
thanks, be polite
Michael Green
www.michaelgreenaudio.net
Showing 50 responses by geoffkait
In reality the grain in wood is not (rpt) not analogous to the “grain” in metal conductors. The grain in metal conductors is actually the symmetrical crystal structure of all natural metals and some other materials such as quartz and most mineral crystals. Because wood grain is usually oriented in *one plane* (not one direction) it has practically nothing whatsoever to do with why wire in cables and fuses is directional. The grain in wood in not directional itself, the wood exhibits directionality according to the *plane* of the grain, determined by how it is cut, a butcher block, for example, or the Mpingo disc. Cut that way on purpose. Capish? The directionality of wire is due to unavoidable *deformation* of the symmetrical crystal structure during manufacturing along the longitudinal axis of the wire. Like porcupine quills, it’s easier to rub them with the direction of the quills than against it. |
elizabeth Isn’t the whole point of ’cast’ wire to remove the grain? Single crystal..I would think drawing wire then using a moving melt zone purification technique would clear all the grain (as an alternative to casting the wire. >>>>>Excellent question. Off the top of my head, totally guessing here, I’d say the grainless wire doesn’t sound as good as wire with grain - when the wire is in the *correct direction.* But I might be simplifying things too much. Here’s a 6 Moons review of various exotic cables, see what you think. We have had amorphous carbon cables for quite some time, how do they stack up? And the Teo Liquid Cables, of course, not sure if they are amorphous but they probably are. Graphene cables, anyone? http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/interconnects/interconnects_3.html |
I am certainly not (rpt not) disparaging anyone who might have a debilitating or difficult condition like Autism or Asperger’s, the latter of which, by the way, is actually quite common, 37 Million or whatever, and usually not very difficult or debilitating and I’m not trying to start a fight, but the reason I even bring it is it’s interesting there are marked similarities between what we refer to as “audio nervosa” and (some of) the symptoms of Asperger’s, especially the loud, aggressive, repetitive, almost compulsive nature of many audiophiles’ posts on these and other fora, not to mention the obsessive and or compulsive nature of the hobby for some, whether is upgraditis or tweakaholiism. But in terms of sheer aggressiveness and repetition, can there be any better poster boy for the big A than Wolfie? I exclude myself, naturally. I’m pretty sure there is no name for the condition the symtom of which is the constant barrage of what about this, what about that? Oh, wait! That’s very repetitive! Bad news! Stalking probably isn’t a symptom but then again, I’m not a psychologist. |
kosst_amojan @geoffkait I thought we talked about your psychological name calling already. I thought we agreed you would at least be creative enough to rotate through the mental illnesses in order to bring awareness to more of them. At least be creative, will you? Why’s it always Asperger’s? Are you well acquainted with it? >>>>>For your information: I mention Asperger’s occasionally on these threads for several reasons, the primary reason being some people, including your humble scribe, sometimes exhibit Asperger’s-like symptoms. Do they apply to you? You decide. Perhaps there is some connection between audio nervosa and Asperger’s. But I’m not a psychiatrist. Perhaps you know better than I. Below find major symptoms. I skipped a few symptoms that didn’t seem appropriate here. As for *wire directionality* I doubt you would be able to prove the negative. Asperger’s Symptom #1: Underdeveloped Social Skills Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome often have difficulty in social interaction. Asperger’s Symptom #3: Inability to Empathize Individuals with Asperger’s can often seem as if they are insensitive or uncaring towards others as they have issues providing socially acceptable responses when they interact with others. Asperger’s Symptom #4: Difficulty with Eye Contact Asperger’s Symptom #5: Restricted Interests Individuals with Asperger’s can have narrowed or restricted interests that are focused. It can be interests such as model building, drawing, video games, or more. The interests that they are so focused on provide a sense of security and comfort for them. Asperger’s Symptom #7: Literary Language Individuals with Asperger’s may have weaknesses in areas that uses nonliteral language such as humor, teasing, irony, and sarcasm. They have difficulty interpreting what others are saying and often take what the other person says as truth. Asperger’s Symptom #10: Unusual Communication and Speech While individuals with Asperger’s do not have any delay in acquiring language and speech, there can be abnormalities in their style of communication and speech. For example, there can be abrupt transitions, miscomprehension, literal interpretations, oddities in pitch, volume, intonation, and rhythm of their speech. There can also be echolalia which means that there is repetition of vocalizations. Their speech can be flat, unusually fast, jerky, or loud. |
Actually pigeons and smoke signals and even humans have been employed for many centuries to send messages, even encrypted messages. Would you believe they used to argue until blue in face which pigeons were the most reliable and fastest? And which wood produced the best smoke for long distance reception, you know, early telecommunication? My favorite use of encrypted messaging was shaving a runner’s Head completely, writing the secret message on his bare scalp, then waiting until his hair grew back in before sending him to deliver the message, you know, in case he was stopped by the enemy. 🏃♂️ A precursor of spread spectrum communications you could say. |
What a sensitive young man. 😛 You have no idea what I’m talking about yet you’re what, cautioning me? How rude! If you’d been paying attention you would have notice do have not attacked MG at all while he’s been here. I gave him free passage. Yet he has attacked me directly and indirectly at least a few times. Wake up and smell the coffee. ☕️ |
Just so there are no misconceptions, and in the interest of full disclosure, MG and your humble narrator engaged in debates and discussions on a range of topics almost daily for a period of two years over on Stereophile magazine forum, which was then quite active. That all stopped a couple years ago. Peter and May Belt of PWB Electronics were involved heavily in those discussions and debates as were others at Stereophile forum, including a moderator. A very patient moderator. A good time was had by all. 😬 |
It appears audio websites that were once powerhouses, thriving and active and enthusiastic, dry up and blow away like so many dandelions in a stiff breeze as soon as Michael leaves the building. Stereophile is now a vast wasteland. Did they all pack up and go to Tuneland? Can that be our destiny, to become a dried up useless husk? Have we been cursed? OMG!! Michael! Come back! Michael! My mother needs you! |
glupson geoffkait, Regarding your comments about amg56, knowing when to curb yourself or stop is necessary in any communication. You lost any residual credibility that anyone might have thought you deserved based on an occasional post or two where you did seem to compose a lucid sentence. Your views of Internet forums as a vehicle for sadistically insulting people from safe distance are deplorable. >>>>Please don’t insult my intelligence. Actually I did not insult amg56. Besides, he’s the one who keeps mentioning his physical and mental condition, not me. He’s mentioned cancer at least three or four times. For someone who just joined Audiogon he has mentioned his cancer and his upcoming diagnosis a bunch. Besides, if things are so dire, why is it taking so long to get a diagnosis? It’s been what, a month, since he mentioned it? You guys are such drama queens. You wanna be somebody? Go on Dr. Phil. Not mention the suicide issue in his family he brought up the other day. I mean who does that? Come on, people! And if that weren’t enough he goes out of his way to attack people on this forum constantly. Hel-loo! Issues! Trolls like yourself and amg56 shouldn’t be so hypersensitive, or pretend to be. Whatever. You guys should go on the Dr. Phil Show. It’s a talk show. You can talk through it. 🙄 Regarding your comments about prof and me, please see above. >>>>Whatever. |
kosst_amojan This last page of snake oilers vociferously debating the merits of their oils has felt to me like watching transvestites bicker about which one has the better fake tits. >>>>>There goes costco_emoji looking in the mirror again. Tsk, tsk Get a load of the vocabulary on that transvestite! 💃 |
A lot has already been said about speaker location and room acoustics and why trial and error - move a little, listen a little - is not (rpt not) a particularly effective way to determine the optimum location for speakers in a room. What is needed is a comprehensive method that allows for an on-going room treatment program and the ability to change speaker locations periodically to account for new room acoustics treatment and other changes to the system. That method must work for ANY type or make of speaker in any listening room, with or without room treatment. And that method must also be able to account for improvements to room treatments, equipment changes/mods, tweaks.Trying to determine the ideal speaker locations by trial and error - move a little, listen a little - is like trying to solve a set of n simultaneous equations in n+ x unknowns. The best you can hope for is finding local maximums. When you Control the Mail you Control Information. - Newman |
Rather than just guessing, I don’t know why people don’t adopt a sure thing. The out of phase track on Test CDs like the XLO Test CD is just the ticket for finding the absolute best locations for any speaker in any room. And with any level of room treatment, from zero to $20,000. As you improve room acoustics over time the track will allow you keep track and find the best locations as you progress. It’s fool proof. Hel-loo! Trying to calculate or guesstimate or move a little/ listen a little will not work. They will provide only local maximums. You need a guaranteed method. Trial and error methods are like trying to solve x simultaneous equations in x + n unknowns. Don’t be a cube, rube. Go ape! 🦍 |