What happened to Jfox

07-01-14: Bobheinatz
Hi Tvad,
I bought some Wright 2a3 mono amps that I still use along with another set of tube amps.

The George Wright Signature 2A3 mono blocks are phenomenal amps. I sometimes regret selling them. Enjoy!

Yes,
I also miss the good old days of the original Audiogon.
Had some good times learning here. Still learning as an on going thing...
Just harder to do under the new system of controlling communication :-(

Could we recreate this learning arena? I mean, with all these knowledgeable, friendly and helpful people still around? Many participants give a lot of help without getting much credit for it. People like Jafox, Albert, Ralph, Tvad, Charles and others. I think that the sense of community is very important. Together with respect and appreciation of difference.

I live across the Atlantic. Here in Oslo (Norway) we have a music listening group that meets now and then, in the home of each participant - with the clear rule that we are NOT grading audio components. What interests us, beside the music, is how the sound can be improved in that room, without much added cost. This works well, and has made us listen more for what a system does well rather than the problems. The "my system is better than yours" attitude is not allowed in!

For me, community and music overlaps. I feel much better, listening to a system, when I know about other members' experiences. Now, I smile a bit extra, listening to the amazing guitar work of Ritchie Blackmore on the new LP box (Rockpalast 95), knowing that thanks to advice from people like Jafox, Albert and Charles (in another thread here at the forum), I can stretch my preamp to the limit, using the best tubes.

For me, the value of these discussions often lie in going the extra mile, trying some tweaks and modifications, testing out and reporting back. It becomes more interesting and valuable, when others do so too.

Wow, look at all the A'gon veterans appearing here again. So nice.

Many of us have gotten pulled into new priorities that override our audio system refinements. It was not that long ago that our audio systems had been overriding all other priorities.

In time I think we ultimately miss those times of enjoying the sound quality that we worked decades to achieve. We return to the escape of music as before. And for many of us, the system sounds so impressive now that if we do even one update in two years, it is surprising.

As JD pointed out, we all spent so much time trying out audio cables. I have no desire to ever again get into that. Cable threads of guys spending $10k on a cable majorly turns me off here now.

Sadly, I recently had a component in one SoundLab back plate fail. The speaker works at low-mid volume but goes crazy when I turn it up. I was all set to send the plates in for major updates but I ran out of dough from all the updates I have recently done on the classic MB. So the speakers and the two 20A circuits to the living room and a new set of tubes for the amps will just have to wait a few more months. A change of priorities indeed. But I need to take JD out for a ride in the UN limo. I just wish I could somehow rewire all the audio cables in my car with Jade Ref's. I guess that only comes with AMG modded MB's. 8-)

And yes I had a minor health setback early this year but that will change in 2 more months and things much better again. What I have gone through in 6 months can not even begin to match what JD has gone through for many years.

"Just harder to do under the new system of controlling communication"

What has changed in this regard exactly?

Isn't it natural for people to move on to new challenges once old ones are conquered effectively?

There will always be those who are interested in new developments in technology and how that might be leveraged effectively in a hobby like audio. That's a big reason why I stick around despite little real change in my setup for several years now.

Then there is always the sharing of knowledge that benefits all, assuming an appetite.

THings change. People change and move on, sometimes deciding to turn back.

There is only so much mileage left in rehashing old generalized arguments however. Tubes, SS, vinyl, digital, power tweaks....what else can be said there except when a new product comes along to introduce a new wrinkle? Only those who still have a related proglem to address or are just interested in technology are likely to care.

Hopefully, those new to the site can cut through the noise (not an easy task though) and find the useful information, of which there is plenty.