Fw: [Boatanchors] Re Audiofools

Mon, 6 Oct 2003 22:19:32 -0400

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ross Hochstrasser" <[email protected]>
To: "Todd Bigelow - PS" <[email protected]>; "Duane Fischer, W8DBF"
<[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Audiofools


> Duane and the group,
>     Here's my$.02...
>   There is a distinct difference between audiophiles and audiofools. For
> starters the audiofools have collectively driven certain vacuum tube
prices
> through the sky making them nearly unavailable to most hams,swl's and real
> audiophiles.How many of you can say for certain that you hear music better
> through Telefunken tubes than other manufacturers (smooooth plates, of
> course  hihi)  This is silly!  From my perspective it goes even deeper, I
> restore and collect 50"s and60"s vintage German radios which have become
the
> picking ground for the audiofools. Some radios have speakers that they
have
> become fond of. Just go to the on line auction place and search all
> countries for Telefunken and Saba. You will see many fullrange speakers
for
> sale, removed from these wonderful radios and sold to the highest bidder.
> For example Telefunken Opus 7 speakers sell for around $500.00/pair Saba
> speakers run nearly as much. For every couple of speakers you see, another
> radio has been thrown in the dumpster...another piece of history lost.  I
> know people here in the states doing this and I have contacted people in
> Europe who do it. They all tell me the radios go in the dump. If these
folks
> aren't fools(OK rich fools now) then who is?? I'd go listen to my stereo
now
> but I can't afford the KT88's(HI)  73's Ross Hochstrasser
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Todd Bigelow - PS" <[email protected]>
> To: "Duane Fischer, W8DBF" <[email protected]>
> Cc: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 10:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Audiofools
>
>
> > Duane Fischer, W8DBF wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 08:36:29 -0500 David Stinson <[email protected]>
> > >writes:
> > >Yes, I know it's grossly off topic. But I love to share a laugh with
you
> folks.
> > > This little chunk of ferrite has the audiophool community burning
> incense and
> > >chanting mantras again.
> > >
> > >There are many of us who enjoy high end quality audio reproduction on
> this list,
> > >as well as others. While I enjoy a laugh at myself, or a situation, but
> not at
> > >other people, I think it was inappropriate to brand us who enjoy
quality
> audio
> > >as 'audiofools'.
> > >
> >
> > Duane -
> >
> > Just my spin on this, I don't think Dave meant that anyone who enjoys
> > quality audio, classic stereo gear, or anything along those lines is a
> > fool. The term 'audiofools/phools' refers more to the ones who believe
> > all those snake oil ads like the one Dave cited. I doubt anyone would
> > disagree with a statement or ad which was backed up by scientific
> > evidence and concrete proof, but when so much of it is speculation,
> > hocus-pocus, and opinion, well....that's where the 'phool' part comes
> > charging in.
> >
> > I know some say that the difference between SS and tube, or digital and
> > analog audio can't really be distinguished. I'd disagree, and I love the
> > sound of my old tube HK amp and Scott tuner over the Pioneer SS rig I
> > have. I draw the line though at placing NOS wax and paper caps or black
> > beauties back into a piece of gear because they give it a 'warmer
> > sound'. Same goes for many other claims out there and the warm, fuzzy
> > terminology invented to support an unsupported position. When a seller
> > has to give you candy-coated words to sell his product because he has no
> > hard data to back up his claims, that should be a big clue. When such
> > things begin being accepted by 'the crowd' (not unlike those who find it
> > easier to call the R-390/URR a 'non-A', for example), then it's
> > understandable why someone with even an average amount of common sense
> > would look at this, shake their head, and consider such people as fools.
> > What would you call someone who invents their own version of reality
> > when it goes against what actually *is*? Crazy? Looney? Foolish?
> >
> > Not trying to start or futher a thread here. Like you, I prefer tube
> > audio. I bet Dave does too. Just not the senseless and baseless hype
> > often associated with it.
> >
> > 73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> > ** For Assistance: [email protected] **
> > $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> > http://www.w9wze.org
> >
>