[Boatanchors] Re Stereotypes

Tue, 7 Oct 2003 17:08:05 -0400

Hi All,

I'm not a audioph/ile/hool/ or any of those terms at all. But I love darn
close to ANTYHING that has tubes in it and can totally appreciate the
difference between tube and solid-state equipment.

As for the *WHY* tube amps sounds better, there are actually some
fascinating studies out there that attempt to document the differences. I
was amazed... they are serious, scientific studies not touchy-feely
hocus-pocus subjective surveys. As I remember, it has to do with odd vs even
harmonics for one. Do a Google or Vivisimo search, you'll probably find
enough reading to keep you busy for awhile. :-)

73,

Mark W1EOF

PS: My favorite (IMHO) example of extreme audio-*lishness is the website
that sells the magic audio improvement pen. The seller claims an immediate
improvement if you remove the cover from your equipment, and "paint" the
tops of all ICs and transistors with this pen. The pen is priced at $19.95
Oh... sure it *LOOKS* like a Sharpie with a label on it, but that's pure
coincidence.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of John Myers
> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 11:20 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Stereotypes
>
>
> This approach remained relatively unchanged until about the early
> eighties. Then
> > the concept of 'full range amplification' replaced it.
>
> Well, you've got MY attention. I've repaired this stuff for years, but
> never delved into why the older stuff sounded som much better. Always
> assumed that the older stuff had just enough distortion, or fuzz in
> just the right places.
>
> More info, please.
>
> John, KD8MQ
>
> > John,
> >
> > No apology needed, but thank you for some sincerity.
> >
> > The design of the audio systems was built around the research of one
> particular
> > individual. Anyone know who? Hint: very early fifties.
> >
> > This approach remained relatively unchanged until about the early
> eighties. Then
> > the concept of 'full range amplification' replaced it. Things have
> not sounded
> > the same since!
> >
> > It might be fun to discuss this at length, as it does relate to
> vintage gear, be
> > it sound equipment as opposed to receivers and transmitters. Those
> old tube amps
> > and speakers certainly qualify in the boat anchor distinction area
> of, if you
> > can lift it without getting a hernia, it ain't a boat anchor!
> >
> > If you want to hear a modern sound difference, compare a laser disk
> to a digital
> > video disk! Really obvious in surround sound.
> >
> > DBF
> >
> >
> > ----------
> > From: John Myers <[email protected]>
> > To: Duane Fischer, W8DBF <[email protected]>;
> [email protected]
> > Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Stereotypes
> > Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 10:41 AM
> >
> > Duane,
> >
> > My sincere apologies for you, and anyone I offended in my reply to
> the
> > audiofools message.
> >
> > But, I was refering not to collectors, but to someone that would
> spend
> > well over $200 for this hunk of quartz.
> >
> > As for myself, I agree that my old SX-838 sounds better than any
> audio
> > system in my home; even to my less than perfect ears. In fact, I
> bought
> > it with the intention to "EBay" it. After hearing it, I think I will
> > hang on to it for a year, or two, or 30.
> >
> > As I get older, I am appreciating the sound of high end audio, more
> > than ever before.
> >
> > When I used the term "audiophools" in my post, I never gave a thought
> > to whether I would be offending anyone. That, I guess, make me human.
> >
> > I apologize.
> >
> > John, KD8MQ
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Stereotypes are a fact of life, whether we like it or not. While
> some
> > are
> > > totally inaccurate and destructive, others are so ridiculous as to
> be
> > amusing
> > > and are relatively inert. What i do not want happening on this
> list,
> > is the
> > > branding of anyone, or any group, as "fools". You do not tell a man
> > who just
> > > spent ten grand on a new tube amplifier that he is a fool,
> especially
> > if you
> > > happen to be the seller!
> > >
> > > Foolishness, vanity and ego tripping can be found anywhere one
> cares
> > to look. To
> > > one extent or another, we are all guilty of it now and then. The
> > downside is
> > > that refering to an individual, or a group, as "fools" on these
> lists
> > is an
> > > invitation for a flame war event. It is one thing to comment that
> > buying oxygen
> > > free speed wire for speakers on a stereo system is 'ridiculous'
> > or 'foolish',
> > > but another when you call the buyer a fool. Hence the reference
> > to 'audiofool'.
> > >
> > > Walk up to a person in a store who just paid out hundreds, or
> > thousands, for
> > > some product or accessory for his/her stereo system and tell them
> you
> > think they
> > > are a fool! You may end up with that oxygen free wire around your
> > neck depriving
> > > you of oxygen! Better to go home and chuckle in private than to do
> it
> > > publically.
> > >
> > > When you publically call one person who paid $9,000 for a pristine
> rx
> > a fool
> > > because no vacuum tube radio is worth that much, you just branded
> > collectors as
> > > a group as being fools.
> > >
> > > Any group has individuals who go to extremes, including high end
> > audio devotees.
> > > Some call them sound engineers, others refer to them as 'the sound
> > guy' and some
> > > call them audiophiles. (I have seen this term spelled four
> different
> > ways,
> > > wonder which one is actually correct?) There always has been, and
> > always will
> > > be, someone who will go to the extreme, regardless of the venue, to
> > have the
> > > latest or greatest fad or gimmick to enhance whatever. Just because
> > someone pays
> > > a huge sum of money for a vintage boat anchor piece of equipment,
> > does not mean
> > > that all who collect boat anchor equipment are 'fools'.
> > >
> > > I believe that we can all laugh at our own blunders or moments of
> > insane vanity,
> > > or those of others, without having to resort to branding or name
> > calling. It is
> > > one thing for you to say, "Boy, was I ever stupid! How could I have
> > been such an
> > > idiot?" But if a stranger says that to you, the result is not apt
> to
> > be a smile
> > > in return -
> > >
> > > So while we can all good naturedly laugh at each others moments of
> > neuron
> > > synapse failure, let us not resort to labeling any group because of
> > any one
> > > member of said groups extreme behavior. It is always best to avoid
> > stereotyping,
> > > because most times the image portrayed is negative and hurtful.
> Which
> > takes on a
> > > whole new perspective when it is 'you' who are being stereotyped.
> > >
> > > Duane W8DBF
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Boatanchors mailing list
> > > [email protected]
> > > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> > > ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> > > ** For Assistance: [email protected] **
> > > $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> > > http://www.w9wze.org
> > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> > CoreComm Webmail.
> > http://home.core.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Boatanchors mailing list
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> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> > ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> > ** For Assistance: [email protected] **
> > $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> > http://www.w9wze.org
> > _______________________________________________
> > Boatanchors mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> > ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> > ** For Assistance: [email protected] **
> > $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> > http://www.w9wze.org
> >
> >
>
> --
> CoreComm Webmail.
> http://home.core.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> ** For Assistance: [email protected] **
> $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> http://www.w9wze.org
>