Who R U?

Shoot, I've been attributing that quote to Tennyson for years now. Thanks for setting me straight.

I've been kicking around this site for the last year or two but have never responded to this thread -- usually, by the time I was done reviewing it, I was too worn out!

Well, here goes. I'm 47 and work in the database / marketing area of a very large financial institution in Charlotte, NC. During the last ten years, I've lived in Cleveland, Dallas, Columbus, Boston, Winston-Salem and now Charlotte. My theory is that the constant movement distracts my family from noticing my nasty audiophile habit ;-).

My wife is one of the truly rare gems in the universe who appreciates great music and supports my quest to hear it accurately. My children (college sophomore and high school junior) have caught the bug and will, I'm sure, someday grace this site.

We appreciate music of all kinds -- our favorite depends on our mood. Blues (Buddy Guy is my favorite), Jazz (lean towards the traditional, but also love the more current), Rock (metal, regular and lite), Vocals (how do you classify Lori Lieberman?), Classical (mostly traditional), "Heartland" .... and Christmas (we have one heckuva selection!). My favorite live concerts were 1) Vladimir Horowitz (5th row left!!) in 1977, 2) Dave Brubeck (seats on stage in Boston) and 3) Woodstock '99.

The audiophile habit is fairly new (last 5-6 years) though I took some electronics courses in high school (built a tube amp from scratch!), started out as an electrical engineer (lived in an engineering fraternity) and subscribed to audio magazines for as long as I can remember.

By the way, THANKS to everyone at Audiogon for the great advice and community spirit. It's tough to find people day-to-day who share this passion / disease and I really appreciate the discourse.

Cheers. Guenther

I am 35, I've lived most of my life in Ohio, but I just came back from a few years in New York City. And it's great to be close to my favorite high end store again! And away from the cramped listening rooms and the awful treatment that I experienced all too often at NYC audio salons.

I got into High End nine years ago, after purchasing some Signet speakers that had a nice midrange and treble response, as opposed to bass bass bass, after discovering opera. Now I'm full blown into it, I've just gone to Thiels, and I'm chomping at the bit to get Spectral amplification. Over the years, the most important lessons I've learned are to trust myself as a listener, to have an open mind about components, and to have a great listening room.

I really love reading, hiking and music, and since I have to take actuarial exams, I have to study alot, so most music I hear is through my discman and grado sr 60 headphones. Right now I listen to The Strokes "Is This It" every day. "Essential Stan Getz" almost every day, too.

Favorite singers: Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Nick Drake.

Some Favorite Bands: Stones, Sex Pistols, Velvet Underground, Smiths.

Favorite Album: Exile on Main St.

Favorite Jazz: Stan Getz, Miles Davis

Favorite Classical: Bach, Beethoven (String Quartets), Ravel, Chopin and various clarinet pieces by various

Best concerts: 1)Tom Waits Beacon Theater
2)David Byrne Columbus Ohio
3)Patti Smith Bowery Ballroom
4)Cincy Symp Orch - contemporary polish piece that could have been the "PSYCHO" soundtrack

I would love to live in the mountains or the coast some day, with a high end juke box, if they ever make one.

Robertd,

It's hard not to like the Strokes. Especially if you're a VU fan. I Listened to "Is this it?" almost daily for months last summer until i saw the band this winter in Las Vegas. The lead singer was really dumb. Pretending to be drunk and "punk" all the while hitting all the notes just right...hmmm. Just haven't been able to listen to that great record recently.

Good to hear that someone else enjoys Nick Drake and Bowie as well.

-Karl

I am 41 and have lived the better half of my life in Northern California (Salida). I am originally from a small town, Salem, Ohio. Unfortunately, my wife is a native Californian and refuses to move from California. God bless her, she has lived all her life in basically the same area and has never seen the rest of the U.S. as I have. HOWEVER, after 17 years she still supports my audio addiction so I can live with it.

I got into audio as a teenager although I still consider myself as a novice. The first pieces I ever bought were a Pioneer SX-737 receiver and a pair of DWD speakers. (Anyone recall them?) Model was a DWD #5 and I thought these were the best things since pockets on a shirt.

I wouldn’t really say I have any favorite “category” of music, as I love it all. Well, for clarification, I don’t consider RAP as music. Sooo Sorry.

My hobbies, other than the obvious, would be:
1. Spending time with my wife.
2. Classic and muscle cars.
3. Collecting Dept 56.
4. Collecting Disney.
5. Spending more time with my wife (she may see this).

Agon is always the first place I go when turning on my computer. I have to see what is the new listings in the classifieds are (Yes, I’m an Audio-Aholic). Sure as hell, the one day I don’t, what I have been searching for months will have come up and already been sold. (Am I alone on this?) Second place I go is the forums. I thank all you all for your post as that is where I have learned most of my audio experience.

Bmccormick-Well you are in good company, I think we are all over zealous with our "hobby". And you better be carful with that Rap remark, I always catch hell for saying I don't like it, but when I say I listen to smooth jazz(aka instrumental pop) everyone gives me hell, guess you just can't win!!!

~Tim