Thirty Days in the Hole

I really don’t care who is here.  It's just a website that I happen to like more than most.  People included.   In this case everyone is well rested now and better prepared to rumble. Does it ever end? Let the cards unfurl.

FYI - MC did say in a post that he was part of the Townshend family shortly after Max (RIP) passed away and mentioned it again in an email he sent me. 

In the past, he helped me with advice (no charge) with a few things I did to improve my stereo and I was curious why he wasn't posting. I asked him what is up and here is what he emailed me:

"Lots of good people like you have PM’d me but being suspended I can only reply to people like you who email directly and off-line. I’m not really trying to get anything going but when people ask I will tell them the truth.

I do get messages, several every week, and being suspended hasn’t changed it much. If everyone who supports me and values my posts was as vocal as the haters this would all be over real fast. Can’t see how it takes a whole lot of courage to say, “This ain’t right” but apparently more than most can muster. Sad.

So anyway yes I have been working with Townshend, although it is hard to explain exactly what I do. They sell direct, no retail, and when there are shows I will go but those are pretty well shut down these days. So I am helping with their website and this and that. Frankly it is pretty much what I’ve been doing, explaining to people all the little things that help. 

I recently developed a new cable isolation system, and boy does it work great! My good friend (NAME DELETED) was the first to try it out and said he was amazed at the detail that had been smeared and now is clean and clear. This guy has a $1M+ system with Magico Q7 so might not be quite the same with everyone but it sure works for us.
That is just one of many articles you can look forward to when they lift my suspension. Whenever that is. Almost don’t even care. Supposedly a month.   Anyway I will be back and when I am they can goad all they want only the serious will be recognized and it will be as if they don’t even exist".

He said some other stuff about his system and some reviews he'll be doing and told me to feel free to give out his contact info if anyone is interested.

Just so long as georgehifi is gone with his dismissive, rude and obnoxious posts. Many times I was interested in findings on different fuses, then george would take over the thread, screaming snake-oil and slinging insults. Good riddance and hope it's permanent.

$500? Not bad! Let’s all do that! Make us work harder. So what if we bug others to death along the way? We are worth it! Who needs a bunch of free loaders anyhoo. I may just start Mapman U. for a small fee you can hear all the things I know you should...  Really good friends.....10% discount.

@tsushima1

your persona is one of the most unpleasant on this site

as i have scanned your posts, few have been to do anything other than to spew negativity, to put others down, to criticize, to make yourself appear above it all, i see no other meaningful contribution, so i ask, what is in it for you to be here?  

i don’t mistake morality with being judgemental, nor naivete... i simply believe a society, a community is as good as we individuals choose make it, we each carry an obligation, you are obviously oblivious or don’t care... your bullshit is among the worst i have read

so i just call bullshit on this bullshitter - here are your recent posts, all of em...

@jetter 

+ 1 … The web is littered with forums generated from the dysfunctional egos the size of planets who finally realised that the only way to gain true control was to create their own little audio fiefdom… why MC hasn’t followed in the steps of Rommy ,  Amir , etc etc is a mystery

I have to say that MC does have a wealth of knowledge and could be a great help to many of our readers that are relatively new to this "hobby".

The problem is that his knowledge is not provided free of charge. If a question is beneath his level, it and the OP are treated with distain and regardless of the topic everything comes with a healthy dose of arrogance and self-aggrandizing.

That being said. It makes no difference to me whether his is here or gone.

Almost the weekend...music time. Brahms versus Radiohead ... Saturday Night fights.

Meanwhile...

For those of you wondering about MC charging for his "expertise". Here is the post from 2019.

millercarbon

12,415 posts

02-07-2019 2:58pm

bacom15

Being in a remote area and patient my advice is order yourself a copy of Robert Harley’s Complete Guide to High-End Audio https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-High-End-Audio/dp/0978649362 That’s what I did, and it not only saved me a lot of time and money, but helped me become a much better listener and better able to evaluate components. Its well worth the time and money just for what you will learn about listening.

And budgeting. You really need to learn about budgeting! Everyone, but everyone, gets it all wrong. Except Harley. Who by the way, was one of the all-time great reviewers for Stereophile many years ago.

Let me give you an example about how budgeting works. Actual example. Friend at work wants to buy her husband a really nice present, whole stereo, $2500 budget. Wants me to do everything. (Good call.)

So with that I budget out more or less as follows:
20% speakers $400
20% integrated $400
20% CD $400
20% speaker cables & interconnect $400
20% power cords & Cones $400

If you notice those numbers don’t add up to $2500 that’s because I take $500 right off the top for my time and expertise.

Who would have thought digital blinders would be a thing?

Some traditions have a way of adapting to changing times.

All the best,
Nonoise

@fastninja12

And you Know This how ?

Chucky had his posting privileges revoked For a second time for constant and blatant rule infractions, Homophobic posts , attempting to subvert the moderation of the forum etc etc etc …and for being more trouble than he was worth … from your posting history You are obviously a Fan Boy , thats your prerogative , however your attempt to tar those that have chosen to speak out as harbouring ego’s is pathetic.

What I am about to write is not meant to sound negative.  For the handful of persons who had no problem with einstein's rudeness, it is my sincerest recommendation that you locate whatever audio website where he is now and follow him there.  Problem solved, win, win.

I feel no need to @.... anyone and spotlight immaturity in this thread because you have all done so very well on your own

I have communicated with MC many times 1:1 and have never felt anything other than a passionate collegial audiophile that truly hopes everyone can find their audio nirvana.  He voices the love for what is working for him...why shouldn't he?!?!  Maybe he's better off without us.  

@styleman 

"...there were (are) other posters who were (are) fragrantly guilty of ad hominem atttacks
 

Fragrantly, eh? You sure that word is, um, on the nose?

@tsushima1 +1

@roadwhorerecords - been a long time since I heard the song (didn't watch the vid above) - but wasn't it RED Lebanese that was in the lyrics, along with Black Nepalese and Newcastle Brown? Please correct me if I'm mistaken! 

@dougeyjones - Did you enjoy 'The Return'? 😁

@jjss49

How naive of you … Some of us here are not prepared to stick our fingers in our ears and go La La La ! Its not happening

Some of us know a good deal more that you about what is going on in the shadows

around here so save me your moralistic judgments.

Your own words In responce to a revelation to you

The straw for me was when MC mentioned coaching a colleague on what gear to buy then charging a 500.00 fee for his effort.

” is that really true @ozzy62?

wow, if so, truly deplorable in my view... this is supposed to be a community of hobbyists first and foremost”

Perhaps a little reflection.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Nurse Ratched, @jjss49 is getting over excited again, please bring him a new set of speakers or amplifier to calm him down.

Whew, emergency avoided.

MC being banned is the only thing that brought me back (temporarily). As soon as he’s unbanned I’m outta here. 
 

Guys a cancer. 

It's funny because I have noticed that the discussion have be come smaller until This One.....Now that's pretty interesting...He will return with his guns cocked an ready to Fire....lol

I’ve been the ultimate arbiter of tenure and academic appts. at several elite universities. My experience is that it’s rare that an individual’s instructional style is uniformly endorsed. That’s good, since we’re accommodate information differently! It’s only when the word to fact ratio becomes excessive that I furrow a brow. 

@larsman 

+! - Blonde and the Humble Pie version!  Not that the 'Mule' cover isn't great, but...

Thanks! @dabel 

+1 @whart and @jji666

@femoore12

If you’re not already doing so … the archives is the place to be during the momentarily monotonous moments ;-) Hmm, keep an eye out for a PM in the very near future.

I do miss him on the forum. I’m a newbie and have been zinged by him but I still appreciate his knowledge and enjoy his humor. As far as the shilling goes it seems a lot of his recommendations are listen and see for yourself not buy this now it’s the best. He leaves it up to us to decide if it’s worth it. 
 

happy listening !

Ron 

I wish him well and do not miss him.

Time to move on from this bs…..

@pesky_wabbit 

there are some people here that really know their sh**, from the fundamentals to the finer points of design, and are able to provide expert advice without tooting their own horn too much.

Great comment. This has become very evident to me. I listen to them before anyone else. The “self-tooters” tend to stink up the conversations. 

@tsushima1

Duplicitous? I was just researching and buying equipment. Townshend products stand on their own merits. I've owned Townshend Seismic Sinks for 12+ years so I know about Townshend. And my dealer at the time swears by Townshend. 

Whether or not MC was on Townshend’s payroll or was going to be a dealer rep or whatever, shouldn’t any person considering upgrading any part of their system do due diligence and research? I know that I did. Maybe MC aligned with Townshend in good part that he believes in Townshend products. I don’t think money was MC’s driving factor but I can’t get into his head.

And I am very comfortable in saying that I believe that every Townshend product sold is a great piece of gear.

I think your time might be better spent researching Townshend products yourself. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a (small?)change of heart.

@larsman

I preferred Blonde Lebanese myself. 🥴

@vinylshadow 

” Yes, he did. I know all about his connection to Townshend. And I bought directly from Townshend. Don't you feel silly now? “

Not in the slightest, the fact that one individual knew that he was shilling for Townsend does not discount the several other members here who were subject to his incessant campaign to promote Townsend products who were not made aware by Chucky that he was on TA’s payroll at that time.

Perhaps you might have shared these intelligences with the forum instead of choosing to allow Chucky to deceive the forum as to his motive.

Dont you feel duplicitous now ?

I've been a long-time reader but don't post that much here. So I'm more familiar with the poster personalities than my number of posts might imply.

Let's acknowledge that people have good points and faults, all of them.  It's not a black and white situation - there is lots of gray.

My $.02 (which I think should be rounded up to $.10) is that MC is knowledgeable and believes himself to be a warm and giving person but he has seriously crossed the line into vitriol on a number of occasions.  He is both.

I have read some of his posts and gotten so angry I wanted to just flame him out, but then he'll reference my favorite comedy skit and invite strangers over to his house.  Quite the duality.

I'd like to see everyone...MC included but everyone...work to avoid ad hominem attacks as part of debates about audio.  It's silly how contentious these threads get.  I'm sure I've been guilty of it myself.  This is a good time for us all to remind ourselves that we are here to collect information and be entertained...we are not here to debate who gets thrown off the life raft. 

@tsushima1

"Did he mention to you that he was on Townshend Audio’s payroll at the time ? No of course he didn’t".

Yes, he did. I know all about his connection to Townshend. And I bought directly from Townshend. Don’t you feel silly now?

But that had nothing to do with my purchases. I was looking to upgrade my system’s loom, put in springs and get a separate preamp for 2 channel(as I was using a HT processor pre for 2 channel) and I read all the reviews I could find of all Townshend products including the Allegri Reference, F-1 Fractal cables, speaker podiums, t.t. platforms and pods. And the reverence for Max Townshend(RIP) and his technologies was a factor as well.

The F-1 Fractal speaker cables and interconnect sound fantastic. Quite the upgrade.

Someone I know bought the speaker podiums and told me the difference was huge and the most incredible change to his system he experienced, and brought his system up to "high end".. And this guy knows his sonics.

So, all is good with my system.

but there is an important distinction to be made... the main site lists items for sale and it for business transactions, but the forum does not, it is a place for discussion... they are adjacent and related, but separate...

I’m not so sure that the administration views the distinction as clear cut as you for reasons of their own..

If you've interacted with MC and had a negative experience with him and you are happy to leave that's not being a hater.  That's having good boundaries and expecting others to behave civilly.

Stop victim blaming. 

      I concur!!

That Newcastle Brown must have been stronger in the old days, my favorite IPAs are almost double the ABV and 2 "will sure knock you (me) down"

Gov't Mule covers are always tasty.

“ MC has been a sort of consigliere for me. Let me tell you what I bought with MC's advice and recommendations: A lot/most of Townshend Audio Seismics and cables. And their preamp.“

Shilling mission accomplished then ! Did he mention to you that he was on Townshend Audio’s payroll at the time ? No of course he didn’t 

there are some people here that really know their sh**, from the fundamentals to the finer points of design, and are able to provide expert advice without tooting their own horn too much. Stick around and it will become apparent who they are. It’s important that their incredible repository of knowledge is passed on before it disappears into the ether..

very good advice and on-target observations from @whart, valuable to noobs here

my first career for twenty some years was in the business of giving professional advice (not on hifi)

there is effort, knowhow and experience involved in how to successfully gather and receive good advice - advice seekers who are naive and lazy often get bad advice...

@whart 

I really appreciate the honest feedback. I do my best to learn from everyone here because my knowledge and experience is very limited. While I have been buying music for decades, I've only just gotten into this hobby. I just filter out the comments where someone states their method for reproduction is the best or the only way. 

I miss all people with whom i interacted to here to some variable degree for sure different  for each one..,. Some characters always seems more easy to love than others for each of us...

Any human being though is a piece in the puzzle of life...

Those who are too obsessed to listen to others i simply dont read their posts... No names is needed...

I am perhaps a bit obsessed too but i hope that i have proven to others i can listen too out of my own obsessions...

@femoore12 - you posted:

"There are a lot of us here that are just getting started. We don’t have this common knowledge. That is why we come here. It’s tough to know the truth when the parents are fighting."

Ask questions. There are plenty of people here with experience and knowledge. The truth is that everyone is biased in some way, or has preferences or limits to their knowledge. Plus seat time. It makes a lot of sense when you hear the differences, but there are so many variables-- think about the infinite combination of systems and room acoustics-- that there is no "one way." Absorb as much as you can. Read. And if possible --harder to do in the era of Covid-- try and hang out with other audiophiles. I was a member of a club in NYC that was great fun. I can’t say I learned much at club meetings- it was more social than anything, but got to know a lot of people. Over the long haul, you figure out what you need to know. Nobody knows everything and I would be suspicious of anyone who proclaims that they do. There are no gurus in this field, but some very knowledgeable people whose knowledge isn’t exactly linear-- they have deep knowledge of some things and less knowledge of others. So, in some ways it is incumbent on you to learn, but the resources are there. (And ignore ad hype and treat reviews with a grain of salt- not because they are deliberately lying, but because they are part of the eco-system of audio sales). User experience conveyed on a board can be valuable, if you get enough different data points, but even then, you will see a divergence of opinion. Partly due to the variables and partly due to individual preference (aka "bias").

It can be a fun hobby and some people make a living at it. I support the people I believe in with my wallet. And, as you gain more experience and have the wherewithal to get to something that more closely approximates real music, those relationships can be invaluable.

@oldhvymec , re 6:30pm: +10
I promise never to cast a shadow (or not) on your....'wildlife encounter'.
(One doesn't know about those chickens...not when mentioning velociraptors...)

I never expected MC & kenjit in the same post, much less the same sentence.

When first I stumbled 'in here', those 2 & GK were part of the 'landscape' of the place...just 3 that seemed to create their own versions of ruckus....*S*

Overall....seems a nice place to hang, read things of interest, and type how I think vs. how I may talk.

Miss GK as well...I feel he 'got me'....or endured with what seemed a *S*

^That. 

I see nothing formal, definitive, or convincing that he has been banned, restricted, or disciplined probably he just got a job or as others have accused, suggested, and speculated he may have launched an audio industry related business or finally gotten a job.

Man, I miss MC. He CARES about music and sound. And he does everything in his power to tweak it to sound its best. 

Does his opinion bother some? Who cares. MC is a true blue music audiophile afficiando. 

MC has been a sort of consigliere for me. Let me tell you what I bought with MC's advice and recommendations: A lot/most of Townshend Audio Seismics and cables. And their preamp.

Moneoone power cables.

And Synergistic Researches Purple Fuses. And I spread a thin layer of High Fidelity NPS 1260 on them. 

Yeah. I can hear the abuse already. MC is right about most things. 

Best-

“Piles”. Thanks for using that term. The last time I heard that was out of my Dads mouth. It brought back fond memories of his humor. 

MC has been ostracized. It's an old forum tradition. I wish him well as a person but miss him as much as a case of piles.