A tribute to Roger Sanders and Innersound


I'm hoping, Audiogon approves this thread for all to read. I feel it is my duty and obligation to give credit deserved to Roger Sanders of Innersound. His genius, accomplishments, and generosity is an immense gift to this industry.

I have had the pleasure to speak with Roger on several occasions for the last 6 months. He has taught me more about audio, in a few hours of conversation, that I have learned from others throughout my whole life. I have even called him, just to ask a few simple questions, and it ended up being a learning experience for me, that sometimes lasted for an hour or two. This man knows his stuff, gives you genuine information, and is willing to share it with anyone who is interested.

As far as the audio gear he designs and sells, it is just simply fanastic. I have owned and listened to a substantial amount of high end audio gear in my life, but until I auditioned the Innersound EROS, xover amp, and ESL amp, it was the first time I had goose bumps in a long long time. That night, every single piece of gear I own, including cables, was put up for sale. I have now sold all my old gear, and are waiting for a last component to arrive. It doesn't even bother me that I have no tunes at this time, because I know when my Innersound system is complete, I finally achieved audio bliss.

I find it interesting, that if you search the classifieds at all of the audio sites, you will find virtually no Innersound gear for sale at all! I'm not sure why this is, but figure that people are just not aware of Innersound. I have spoken to many Innersound owners, and one thing is for sure, they are not parting with their gear, unless upgrading. I would urge anyone interested, to give the Innersound stuff a listen. I'm almost feeling sorry for the ones who haven't.

I would also hope that other Innersound owners, who happen to stumble acrss this thread, add their two cents for the unfortunate ones, who dont have this gear!!
sfrounds
Let me add my kudos to Mr. Sanders. I purchased my EROS immediately after the first review came out in the Absolute Sound years back. I have been in audio nirvana ever since. While attempting to choose an appropriate preamp and amp (this was before Roger had other products to sell), I took them to my favorite audio shop, which did not carry Innersound but carried Martin Logan, and compared them side by side to the Requests, which were the comperable speaker at the time - same preamp, amp, interconnects etc - a pure a/b comparison. While the requests compared okay in the mid and treble, they were increadibly slow and dull in the bass. The innersound transmission line woofer just blew the martin logan sealed box woofer out of the water. I will admit that the logans did not beam the sound as the eros did, but they did not have quite the transparency of the eros either and I'm sure anyone familiar with the innersound product has read Roger's remarks about his conscious design choice regarding a flat panel to minimize sound reflection and room interaction. The eros to my ears were also able to rock, which is not something I felt I could say about the requests (especially when tested with something like "Filter" which made the requests sound awfully slow and plodding).

In addition I'd like to say that Roger has been phenomenally helpful on the phone and via email. He has educated me about audio, advised me about home theatre (lest just say he is a two channel person) been very generous to a fault with fixing problems with the speakers and the amp. In all regards a true gentleman and businessperson. Any time I had a conversation with him, I felt like a very valued customer. It is, in my opinion, a rare audio businessman who will tell you the flat out truth regarding interconnects, speaker cable, and digital sources. Roger is one of those people.

I am at the point with my speakers where, having moved to the Caribbean, I may have to upgrade my panels (and get the new wood edging) to the newer ones with a more humidity friendly coating. I will also upgrade my bass amp to the new Mk2 bass amp which has a gain control. I am considering selling my Levinson 331 in order to buy the ESL amp. I guess you would have to say that I'm a true fan of Roger's products and the Innersound company.

I think anyone auditioning electrostatics owes it to themselves to hear the innersound products. As always with audio, listen to the many available products out there though - the quads, the martins, the soundlabs etc., as its how it sound to your ears that matter.

- Scott Blair
I have been long interested in this gear. Customer service is very important to me. This type of endorsement behooves me to to priortize an audition. Thank you all for sharing, you help us all.
Being an InnerSound fan and customer, I found this thread so much fun to read - and it just feels good to just read it.
But, small companies need more than verbal support.

I sincerely hope that everyone can get out there and put some money where their mouths are!

I currently own a pair of ISIS, all my IC's and cables are Innersound and my next step is to look into his new tube amp coming out. If I had a bigger place, I'd be looking at the EROS MKIII's. When I move, I'm gettin' some!
Thanks for a wonderful thread,
AJ
Here are the differences between the Eros Mk II/Mk 3 (and soon the Isis/Isis Mk 3): (straight from Roger)

1) InnerSound has developed a new type of composite electrostatic panel.
This type of construction produces a panel made with diamond-routed slots.
It looks better.
It has greater efficiency (98 dB instead of 96 dB).
The panel has perfect insulation, so it cannot be damaged by the amplifier.
It needs NO protective circuitry.
It is immune to humidity.
Dirt, dust, and bugs don't bother it.
It makes no extraneous noise.

2) The new electrostatic panel is patented.

3) The new electrostatic panel is so reliable that it comes with a lifetime
guarantee.

4) The woofer grill is now cloth instead of perforated steel.

5) The new speakers come with the customer's choice of wood or black
aluminum trim at no additional charge.

6) The new price of the Eros Mk 3 is $7,995 (includes two speakers,
crossover, and 600 watt/channel bass amplifier).

7) The new price of the Isis Mk 3is $3,995.

8) The new price of the Passive Eros Mk 3 (made like the Mk 3 but with
passive crossovers instead of electronic crossovers) is $4,995.

I can email you a picture if you like.
AJ