Thanks so much, Doug. I think we all had an especially good time putting this one together.

Quote:
Thanks to the whole staff and esp. JA for putting together such a fun and encouraging issue.

You're welcome, Doug.

Quote:
Excellent lead in by Stephen- keep those coming from him.

I thought Stephen captured the passion perfectly. Which is why I have been puzzled to get some negative feedback from some readers. I wonder if such passion makes some uncomfortable. But without such passion, there seems little point in doing what we do.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Quote:

I thought Stephen captured the passion perfectly. Which is why I have been puzzled to get some negative feedback from some readers. I wonder if such passion makes some uncomfortable. But without such passion, there seems little point in doing what we do.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

As many of you may know, I am not too fond of vinyl and all the things that go along with it. However, I always make it a point to read Stephen's blog. The reason I read it is because of the passion he brings to the table. The same goes for the July issue. There was very little content for me in terms of the type of gear that I'm interested in. However, the issue was full of passion and excitement and that made for very exciting and fun reading even though very little of it was of any practical use to me.

If we extinguish the passion, we'll become stale. Once we become stale, we will wither and die.

Thanks Alex!

I think you'll find some interesting stuff in the August issue.

I don't know about other peeps, but I REALLY enjoyed the July issue! Art Dudley on PS1 was a fantastic read, especially the provocative intimation at the end that he'd be getting the better end of the bargain if he got the PS1 instead of the dCS system. Also, the vinyl gear, the Kef monitors review by WP. It was one of my favorite issues this year and I think this is the reason why: these are the types of gear that a lot of younger audiophiles actually care about. Rega P3-24, swanky monitor speakers, a surprise video game machine as reference CDP... I think a lot of younger readers care about finding an innovative solution rather than splurging on a mega-buck establishment piece, even when they could afford such things. And I think the June issue captured a lot of that spirit, which, btw., is not exclusive to the young audiophiles but a lot of music lovers out there.

I loved reading Stephen's lead because his voice represents much of that spirit, too. Sure some people might not have liked his piece, as JA writes, but maybe some of those people are the types of those audio cognoscenti who guffaw self-satisfactorily as they deride Art Dudley's take on PS1 while sipping on their Veuve Clicquot. Whatever, man. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Quote:
Art Dudley on PS1 was a fantastic read, especially the provocative intimation at the end that he'd be getting the better end of the bargain if he got the PS1 instead of the dCS system.

I don't think he was joking. Much.

I've not heard any 'seriously' good digital gear. Period. What I mean, is the so-called best digital gear I've ever heard...only sounds a good as a slightly 'off set-up on a Rega Planar 3, for the most part. Some aspects of the sonics are notably better, yes. but for the most part..it is a loss.

I also don't think he was taking direct stabs at anyone, just that the idea of 'digital' is nice and mathematically eloquent..but the reality bites big-ass crapola, when it comes to ultimate fidelity. A Turd is a Turd and the calling of reality and all that. And there is definitely a smell in the room. On a harder and less sensitive note, I'd say that deaf linear thinkers should please stay out of the audio business. On a less hard note, I think that many a designer of gear is doing what they can with the 'digital' they've been forced to work with. Horses for courses and market forces.

Engineers and marketing departments should not be in charge of making decisions about human involvement (manufacturing/design/execution) in cutting edge phenomena/recognition surrounding the idea of 'the best' with regards to hearing and human function..at that cutting edge. Renaissance men and thinkers of wide and varied views only, please. The problem comes about when those with little capacity for 'sight' decide internally that they DO have that capacity..and mediocrity becomes the order of the day via human stupidity. Ie, when men of higher capacity and integrity do not come forward and solidly and clearly slap down idiocy; mediocrity -and worse- become the order of the day. Sounds a bit like current politics. Hmm.

Ie, if Digital was all it was cracked up to be, then Wilson, Vandersteen, Totem, Verity, KEF, Dynaudio, Martin Logan, Aerial, SoundLab, Montana, MBL, Magico, Audio Physic, Focal, Usher, Magnepan, Vienna Acoustics, Von Schweikert, B&W, Energy, Thiel, VMPS, etc, etc...etc... would ALL be offering Digital crossovers at the top of their lines.

Note that they do NOT.

PS. I went back and looked at this post. More than a bit harsh, I thought. But..I've found that if you tone it down..then people just mentally wiggle themselves out of the whole thing. After all, it's not an imperative, is it? There's still time!.... etc. So..in the end, 'tis a message best delivered harshly. Ie, pardon the rant.

Quote:
Ie, if Digital was all it was cracked up to be, then Wilson, Vandersteen, Totem, Verity, KEF, Dynaudio, Martin Logan, Aerial, SoundLab, Montana, MBL, Magico, Audio Physic, Focal, Usher, Magnepan, Vienna Acoustics, Von Schweikert, B&W, Energy, Thiel, VMPS, etc, etc...etc... would ALL be offering Digital crossovers at the top of their lines.

It would be a good deal easier than designing and building good analog crossovers.

And another vote for passion!

Quote:

Quote:
Art Dudley on PS1 was a fantastic read, especially the provocative intimation at the end that he'd be getting the better end of the bargain if he got the PS1 instead of the dCS system.

I don't think he was joking. Much.

I don't think he was joking at all!