Bi-weekly meetings? God no. At best I would think quarterly would be all I can do except for possibly meeting with another member for a beer and listen to some music on a more impromtu basis. For example, someone nearby might want to stop over to my place to watch Brett take the Pack to the Superbowl next year. After the game we could listen to some victory music or somber music whichever the case may be. If this ever stops being fun we should dissolve the society. |
The following Saturday would be better for me. I will be out east the week you suggested. I'm looking forward to being able to attend a meeting one of these weeks! |
Having come to this a tad late ... I'm in Madison, think this might be interesting. March 29 at the Rat? |
March 29, 2003 at 1pm. University of Wisconsin - Memorial Union, The Rathskeller is the first tentative date for the first meeting of the Wisconsin Audio Society . More information to follow.
I also updated the map of members on the internet (our numbers are growing). I put a back drop of a gray scale digital elevation model (helps give the impression of relief) along with the usual county and open water reference points. Now new and improved with a scale bar ! :- /
As before: When you get to the web site below click on "thumbnail" image to explode the image. Then select from various options in the dialog box to Print "photo" and to see it at various image sizes. Go to:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/5F60B09F3573615 |
Wisconsin Audio Society Image Web Site Updated with more printer friendly map of members and the very beginnings of of a US Map of Audio Equipment Made in America.
As before: When you get to the web site below click on "thumbnail" image to explode the image. Then select from various options in the dialog box to Print "photo" and to see it at various image sizes. Go to:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/5F60B09F3573615 |
PS:
If you are planning to attend the first meeting please e-mail me your intentions. We certainly do not want to overrun the Rathskeller. I don't think it would be a problem if the weather happens to be warm enough to go outside. But this Wisconsin afterall. |
I could show up with a friend or too ,thxs John K |
Please e-mail me directly rather than posting your intentions here. After I get a compilation in a 2-3 weeks I can post the results. So far it seems like about a half dozen people are planning on making it. |
Wisconsin Audio Society Image Web Site Updated with more companies added to the US Map of Audio Equipment Made in America. There are many to add for sure. Thought it might be interesting to color ramp the companies by date started, date under current ownership, and number of employees. But others surely can be added depending on how much time I have for this freebie and if I decide to continue on the project. Thoughts?
As before: When you get to the web site below click on "thumbnail" image to explode the image. Then select from various options in the dialog box to Print "photo" and to see it at various image sizes (hint: best viewed at the "original image size" option). Go to:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/5F60B09F3573615 |
I live in Madison, and been an avid Audiophile for years, I would be interested. Nothing like good beer or wine and good music. Keep me posted. If anyone is interested we have a Site that talks about Home Theater and of Course Audio gear at http://www.htoc.net There is a forum there for discussion also.
Gar |
For those not familar with the "famous" Rathskeller.
The Rathskeller is in the UW-Madison, Memorial Union at 800 LANGDON ST, MADISON WI 53706. They serve beer to Memorial Union Members (we have some Wisconsin Audio Club/Society members that are members and get pitchers of beer) and burgers, salads etc. They also play host to a variety of bands during different times of the year. A long time hang out for students, profs, and just people who like to let their hair down and relax. It is in the north central part of the Memorial Union looking out to Lake Mendota and famous Memorial Union Terrace. Here is a map of the Memorial Union (you can zoom in, move in four compass directions and select other campus locations for points as reference as well):
http://www.fpm.wisc.edu/map/default.asp?CampusMapNumber=83
Picture of Memorial Union Building and information about the union.
http://www.fpm.wisc.edu/map/building.asp?building=0008&wing= |
Wisconsin Audio Society Image Web Site Updated with labeled air photo base map of the area around the Memorial Union on Lake Mendota in Madison, WI. The Rathskeller is in the north central portion of the Memorial Union. Shown on the map are options for parking near the Memorial Union.
As before: When you get to the web site below click on "thumbnail" image to explode the image. Then select from various options in the dialog box to Print "photo" and to see it at various image sizes (hint: best viewed at the "original image size" option). Go to:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/5F60B09F3573615 |
Those that are planning to attend and have not submitted their home zip code to me please e-mail directly so I can update the preliminary club map. Thanks! |
Rathskeller Update:
The Rathskeller does not serve tap beer till 3pm in March. But they will have bottled domestic beer at the Rathskeller and wider variety of imports in the games room (billards, etc) around the corner in the Memorial Union. However, for about 10 people attending, which we should clearly be at if everyone comes that say they will, we can have him open the tap beer section early. This all according to a conversation I had with the Rathskeller Assistant Manager today. Could everyone get back with me before mid-march and let me know what they prefer. They will certainly have some non-alcoholic drinks available as well.
I wanted to have the meeting by 1pm since that would give us enough time for a couple hour meeting or so and for most people to be back home by dusk or earlier (assuming we only meet for 2 hrs or less and this you never know) and also, hopefully, avoid the potential early morning fog and/or ice problem. The average daily air temperature high on March 29 in Madison should be in the high 30s to low 40s. So that should, hopefully, be warm enough to keep the ice down or off the roads during the afternoon but not the potential snow. However, if we have enough large SUV drivers come we might just be able to warm up the atmosphere enough that we can all go outside and enjoy the wonderful "green house" affect. :-) |
Invites:
Some of you have mentioned that you are having one or two people come along. I and all but one of the other members agree we should not be inviting factory representatives or their proxy: Audio Dealers, or at the very least, not have them attend our the first meeting or meetings when the rest of the group did not ask them to attend. I am sure it would be fine for them to know that there is a focused interest in 2-channel hi-end stereo in Wisconsin demonstrated, in part, by our interest in forming a club around that idea. Almost all of them seem like great people and fun to be around. But for now, lets keep the obvious vested interest groups out. In fact, another factory rep from Wisconsin said it would not be appropriate for him or any other rep or dealer attend unless explicitly invited to come present equipment or company viewpoints on technology etc at a meeting (which he for one would be glad to do). |
The US Audio Manufacturers Map has attracted considerable interest. This helps me to plug away on it from time to time. It is unforescene if the Map project will go very far but there seems to be an "under-current" of interest when I talk about it to non-audiophiles and audiophiles. With this in mind I have created some template language I am thinking about sending to manufacturers that may manufacture their products in the US. If you visit the map and see a manufacturer that simply has an administrative office in the US and has their equipment made outside of the US please let me know via direct e-mail rather than posting your comments here (more efficient that way).
Here for your comments till March 15, 2003 (just decided to have some sort of deadline) is the template e-mail memo I plan on sending to manufacturers:
"I am producing a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map identifying companies in the US that may or may not be owned by US Entities but none-the-less have their manufacturing facilities in the US and employ US Citizens. At this point this is just a freebie (free in the sense that I am not being paid to work on it) product as part of the about to be formed "Wisconsin Audio Society" (it is a high end audio enthusiast group, we may change our name after our first meeting on March 29, 2003). Since GIS enables data base queries to produce different mapped and quickly intellectually assimilated (because the information is graphic) perspectives about records (in this case the US Audio Companies) I can develop information of almost infinite variety about these companies. These perspectives include starting date of manufacture and of current ownership, number of US citizens employed, and export market countries etc. At this point I am just looking for the most basic of information. Could you tell me where your products are manufactured and where the majority of parts are manufactured? The map at this point uses a US Zip Code database to identify locations. So any information should include full addresses with zip code.
I hope that at some point with more information collected about the related companies I , probably in conjunction with a journalist, can produce very positive article(s) that point to the success of these little known, to the masses, US companies. US Companies that not only compete with the foreign mass market competition but is imported into those counties in Asia, for example, where much of the mass market electronics are made under less rigorously regulated conditions and less than optimum labor conditions. Of course, since this is a freebie on my part I am not sure when this project will be or if it will be "completed" but already there seems to be quite a bit of interest in the concept of celebrating the US companies that compete on world stage while still employing people under favorable working conditions and with respect to the environment. Any thoughts on types of information you think should be included in this project would be greatly appreciated.
Here are some early maps related to the Society: http://www.fototime.com/inv/5F60B09F3573615
Here is the thread that got this thing started and to get updates:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?lclub&995054231&openusid&zzA71spud&4&5#A71spud ".
Lets see what we can do to help spread the word about these US companies that, among other things, have incredible support services (we all have our own near "kindred spirit" level of attention stories these company's support teams have provided us over the years and the reverse sort of "support" from less "interested" companies) and are facing incredibly stiff competition on many fronts. It was once said "Rising waters lift all ships" but the reverse is just as true "Lowering waters lowers all ships". Maybe a few, some, or most of these companies are dead horses coming out of the starting gate of this century but some positive exposure never hurts. But maybe you disagree. So let me know. It is a free country......well mostly anyway. |
I'm not sure I can make the first meeting, but would appreciate if someone could keep me updated as to future get-togethers. I live in Green Bay and my email is suekraft@new.rr.com Thanks! |
Updates: Check back here.
I will try to collect e-mail addresses of those that have e-mailed me and let others know of significant updates. But coming back to this post is probably best. Also, since this thread is getting so long it might be an advantage at some point to start another thread. But for now, just pop back here. |
Okay, I suppose I can just stop back here every once in awhile to see what's going on. Good luck with your club. |
The first meeting of the Wisconsin Audiophile Society, thought an Audio Society might mean Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor Society to some :-), is just around the corner: March 29th at 1pm Rathskeller in the Memorial Union on Lake Mendota UW-Madison). As such, I would like a read on the number of people who would be fine with bottled beer and those that want tap beer (we have to let them know in advance to get the bar guy to come in earlier than his/her normal 3pm start). If I do not hear back I assume people are not interested in beer or bottled beer will be fine. Thanks! |
Tap beer for me, please. I'm a Union member, BTW, and can buy.
-Gene Rankin |
Any others for tap beer? We need about 10 people wanting tap beer for the Rathskeller to open the bar early. Need to know by March 24 or I will assume we will go with bottled beer or non-alcoholic beverages available at the Rathskeller and Billards Room. |
I'm sorry to have to miss this first meeting, but I hope everyone has a great time. I will be watching for the next!!! |
Updates:
1.) I contacted the Rathskeller. The assistant I talked to said they will have someone there by 1pm for our meeting to open up the tap beer bar.
2.) If the UW-Madison, Mens basketball team can manage to knock off #1 Kentucky today (thursday, 3/27) there might be ton of people crowding into the Rathskeller about 3:00p (according the semi-final schedule of 3:30p CST tipoff I saw on www.cnn.com) to watch the game on the big screen TVs. If that happens we'll play it by ear but presumably our meeting will be done by then and some of us can just watch the game.
3.) Weather for Saturday, so far, looks like cloudy with high of 38 low of 17. But there looks like snow and/or rain on Friday. So please plan accordingly.
4.) Come to the meeting having given thought to a Mission Statement of the Audiophile Society. Among things I would like to see are some measures, over time, to get the word out to our younger people about the joys of music heard through hi-end audio. I hope our hobby and dedicated manufacturers of hi-end equipment do not die when we do. Other things to consider is the role of manufacturers and dealers in our society, the nature and protocol for home visits to hear music through our equipment etc.
5.) If you want to make a listing of your equipment or the key components and bring that with you I can compile the information and e-mail it back to the rest of the group. This can serve many purposes including opening dialog among members about their equipment synergy, maybe a power cord or interconnect (for example) could be brought along for insertion in another person's system during a listening session, etc.
6.) Bring your relaxed attitudes and lets have fun with this ! Bring some quarters (think it takes quarters) for the Juke Box. I will be wearing a red T-shirt or red sweatshirt. I am avg ht/weight on the firmer side of average :-), brown hair/blue eyes. Maybe others can wear red if they have it. Assuming others wear red you can look for a much of older guys (like me)and some younger wearing red. I will try to pick up some name tags as well. So look for: name tags, red tops, and faces on the Autumn side of graduate school.
See you at the Rathskeller at 1pm Saturday March 29th !!! |
I wasn't able to make last weeks meeting. Can someone tell me what happened? Thanks. |
I will try get some minutes up on Sunday about last Saturday's meeting. It was a fun time and I would have got some notes up earlier except I got the flu bug the next day and was wiped out till mid-week. |
Successful Launch:
The first ever Wisconsin Audiophile Society (Society) met at the Rathskeller in the Memorial Union,. UW - Madison on Saturday, March 29, 2003. The first meeting lasted about two hours and brought together 8 participants with all but one (Green Bay) coming from Dane County. The group first shared their interests outside of audio equipment to help introduce each other at a personal level. People shared their wide ranging interests that included volunteer community work, dogs, family, and 60s and 70s cars.
Several expressed a desire to get to know the equipment that each had so that feelings about equipment synergy could be discussed at future meetings. Included in this discussion were thoughts about effective tweaks including tuning Dots, vibration dampening devices, sources of tubes, tube rolling experiences, power conditioning, dedicated power lines, and power cords. Many of my earlier thoughts, expressed in the Audiogon Wisconsin Club Thread, on the construction of the society around the idea of friendship, community support of local dealers and repair personal, and sharing of audio perspectives came out. Also the desire of catering to local restaurants/bars, farmers markets, local music scenes, and other local attractions during our meetings in other parts of Wisconsin seemed to ring true for all members. This later point came from the desire not only to help out our fellow Wisconsinites but also to explore the Audiophile lifestyle or for us to learn what exactly that means in its many colors. Whatever that means I am sure it has something to do with connection with the soul.
The Society members spent a good deal of time swapping stories in how all they came to this point in their audiophile lives. Names from the seventies like Dynaco, McIntosh, Advent appeared more than once in members stories of their early years. Of course, I had to break the mold in waxing about my early years in the mid-1960s with thoughts on old Marantx and Mac tube gear driving AR and KLH speakers.
Future Plens: We are tentatively planning on meeting every 2 months and seeing how that works out with everyones schedule. Maybe less often during the winter months when we might spend more time visiting local members homes for local listening sessions. Among the other plans is to have company representatives put on their dog and pony shows for others and us at local dealers. Probably the most ambitious of all the general goals of the society is to spread the word about hi-end audio to our younger people.
Does anyone want to host the next meeting which will occur near the end of May or beginning of June 2003? If so, pass on your thoughts to me and I will get them out to others.
In the meantime, members please continue to send me your current equipment make up, Audiogon Ids, and other thoughts for improving the society. Send to my direct e-mail and not through the Audiogon.com post (here).
Cheers! |
I'm interested in attending . Let me know the dates |
I'm still interested, but never heard back from anyone. |
It's time to put another meeting together. Were any plans made at the last meeting to do something again? This is the slow time of year for most of us, so lets do it soon. |
Sorry about dropping the ball on this one some months ago but my attention was redirected to community organizing and foster dogs that were to be put to sleep and now are happy to have loving moms and dads. I will try to get back to this in a few weeks after things settle down. Otherwise if someone can help please email directly.
In the meantime, if you want a smile on your face and you have a hi-speed connection I made a slide video with music (Beatles, Two of Us) dedicated to my fosters I still have and those that found new loving homes ( go to the link below and double click on the thumbnail, turn up your speakers (all the software you need on your computer is a recent copy of the MS Windows Media Player and a recent or most recent MS Internet Explorer) :
http://www.fototime.com/inv/7868B0982A4DC80
Cheers !
And keep your heart open to fosters. They never forget! |
Noel,
Hello, I see you have been very busy. I am Roy Ramsey the guy you purchased the SFL-2 from in Appleton. I hope that you enjoy it! I sometimes second guess parting with it. But isn't that the case with most sound lovers?
I am interested in participaing in something in our state. I look forward to hearing from anyone that wants to chat about this obsession we call audio.
regards,
Roy |
I live in Green Bay and write for The Absolute Sound. I also have a very small audio message board at www.audioinsiders.com where myself and a few other friends hang out. You guys are welcome to stop by and say hello. It would really be nice to get to know a few other audiophiles in the area. |
Suzy I wish we could get something together in Green Bay, but I'm afraid there aren't very many of around anymore. I bought a Counterpoint SA 5.1 Pre-amp from you (actually I think it was Gregs) several years ago.
I have a few other friends and relatives in town who would like to get together and listen and learn. Nothing seems to be going on with the rest of the people who responded to this initially. Would you be interested in trying to get a meeting together here? We could meet at my house which is only about three miles from you. Anyone else is welcome to show up, although when they see what equipment I have they might not be interested! Squidboy will be there, I think. |
Well, if you'd update your system with the new pre maybe more people would show up! Nate, love to hear the new stuff and see Suzy and GD. Next meeting in Green Bay? I see the posts on the Wisconsin thread, why don't we try and start tne next meeting.
Greg |
Saturdays are good for me. We can meet late morning or early afternoon. I don't know if there should be a format to the meetings or if it's just sitting and listening to everybodies favorites. Let me know what people want to do. |
Definately informal for now. After attending the first meeting it would be good to get people together just to talk and learn and trade stories. It would be nice to just get something going instead of just talking about it. |
Nrchy, I should add that this is only a suggestion. I don't want to be the one offering your home for the meeting place. I'm glad you picked up on the idea and would be thrilled to get together even if it wasn't a meeting per se. To think I didn't even have a stereo setup during the first meeting! |
Hi all,
I am in Appleton and would love to participate. Anytime is good for me with some advance notice. I also would be willing to host a get together.
Regards,
Roy Ramsey |
I don't know if anyone is interested, but "The Record Shoppe" in Appleton is having a sale on Friday April 16- Sunday April 18. All LPs $1.00, all 45's $0.50, all CDs $3.00.
Their address is 500 Chain dr. I have bought stacks of LPs from them over the years. Some where better than others but... the price is right. |
I'm also in Green Bay and would be interested in doing some listening. I own a grocery store on University Avenue, if anyone is in the area stop by and say "hi", its the one with the big blue front panels. Paul |
I am tentatively planning on having a meeting/listen session at my house on May 15th. That's a Saturday. It is just an informal get together. Black tie and Tuxedo is not required (but is prefered).
I have talked to several people in Green Bay who plan to attend. Anyone is welcome although we will be voting on a "No Losers" policy. Until that goes through though anyone is welcome.
Let me know if this is a good day, and what time/times would work better for people. |
Since 100% of the feedback I got so far indicated that May 15th will not work the proposed meeting is being moved to May 22. I am still open to suggestions for time though. |
22nd will work for me. Early afternoon?
Greg |
I'll be there, but it looks like attendance is going to be sparce based on responses so far. Why aren't people responding? |
Why aren't people responding? Because Nrchy said no losers, so I just figured I was automatically disqualified ;-) |
He said no losers, not no one without a sense of humor! As a business owner I have always wanted to post a "No Losers" sign on the front door and watch people as they read the sign. I wondered how many people would sigh and turn away. The question isn't whether I think a person is a loser, it is whether they think they are a loser! ; ) |
Hi all,
I would like to participate, but we are out of town this week end. Maybe next time, or when someone is down this way give a shout maybe we could listen at our place. It is not the text book listening room (recroom turned so)but it is home.
regards,
Roy Ramsey |
I'll be there in spirit.
Greetings to everyone from Brookfield. |
Yes, I will be there! Paul |
