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Talk but not walk?

Hi Guys

This isn't meant to start a fight, but it is important to on lookers. As a qualifier, I have my own audio forum where we report on audio issues as we empirically test them. It helps us short cut on theories and developing methods of listening. We have a wide range of systems and they are all over the world adding their experiences to the mix. Some are engineers, some are artist and others are audiophiles both new and old. One question I am almost always asked while I am visiting other forums, from some of my members and also members of the forum I am visiting is, why do so many HEA hobbyist talk theory without any, or very limited, empirical testing or experience?

I have been around empirical testing labs since I was a kid, and one thing that is certain is, you can always tell if someone is talking without walking. Right now on this forum there are easily 20 threads going on where folks are talking theory and there is absolutely no doubt to any of us who have actually done the testing needed, that the guy talking has never done the actual empirical testing themselves. I've seen this happen with HEA reviewers and designers and a ton of hobbyist. My question is this, why?

You would think that this hobby would be about listening and experience, so why are there so many myths created and why, in this hobby in particular, do people claim they know something without ever experimenting or being part of a team of empirical science folks. It's not that hard to setup a real empirical testing ground, so why don't we see this happen?

I'm not asking for peoples credentials, and I'm not asking to be trolled, I'm simply asking why talk and not walk? In many ways HEA is on pause while the rest of audio innovation is moving forward. I'm also not asking you guys to defend HEA, we've all heard it been there done it. What I'm asking is a very simple question in a hobby that is suppose to be based on "doing", why fake it?

thanks, be polite

Michael Green

www.michaelgreenaudio.net


michaelgreenaudio
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
MG, 
Nelson Pass seemed to think I did a really good job on it and complimented me on being brave enough to build something like that on my first attempt. Everybody that's heard the thing wants something that sounds that good because it really is a very good sounding amp. My efforts in tweaking it to sound it's best have included splitting the mica insulators down to .0007" for the best thermal transfer between the heatsinks and the MOSFETs, trying different input signal wires, trying different ground routing, working on getting the bias higher, and adjusting it's distortion character. I've put a lot of time and listening into getting that thing sounding just right. The signal goes through 2 JFETs, 2 MOSFETs, and 3 resistors before it gets to the output posts. If the theory is that simple circuits produce better sound, you don't get much simpler than that. 
The last time I bought a multi-outlet extension cord at Walmart the thing had a gigantic warning label zip-tied to the thing. Even those cheap 6 foot, 3 outlet things often have fuses I don't think I have a single power strip that isn't fused or breakered. That strikes me as responsible engineering. 
glupson
1,794 posts
 

geoffkait,

Don't you wish you could do something fairly well? Maybe, for a day I can let you be me.

michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio OP
643 posts
 

Hi Glupson

"In a sense, it does not give you any free time, but it is still a job. Kind of, working after hours thinking you are having fun while you are actually perfecting what you do for money."

I've always been an odd bird when it comes to money. I put fun way before money. Money is a drain on the soul and I don't buy into the American way of capitalism. When people live for money they become a slave to it, many times become selfish and dishonest. I don't live that way, come good or bad. Glupson, there's a big difference between working and doing ones calling. If tuning was work I wouldn't do it. Even putting a negative spin on it by calling it working for money makes me squirm.

it's called life my friend and everyone lives it their own way

Michael Green

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
No, glubson, I cannot do anything well. Hey, i must already be you!
glupson
1,794 posts
 

Michael Green,


I understand all that and actually approach it in similar way, but the fact is that once someone gets paid, what they get paid for is really a job. As mundane and not-glorious as it may seem. Some of us live in some kind of fantasy and consider money just a necessary evil of some sort.


I am not trying to make it seem like your work is not fun for you, in fact I do think you believe in it and are passionate about it all, but I noticed you mention word "hobby" while being paid for it. That is all. Hobby is usually what people waste time and money on, not where they earn it. It is just how it is. Having said that, billions of people in the world could envy you for being able to mix business and pleasure. Consider yourself really lucky. Even promoting your ideas on forums like this is, in my opinion, welcome. I may disagree with some of them, but they do provide an opportunity to learn about things I would have never thought of myself. I can take them or leave them, but I am richer for knowing they exist. And I even paid nothing.

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