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Thread: Archive through February 08, 2006 |
    
Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1280
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:21 pm: |
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Hi Sem,
Good to hear from you! My apologies to a brother New Yorker, but after 57 years on earth, I deserve this wonderful Florida winter warmth. |
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Relevant Product Info
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Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1281
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:28 pm: |
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Art,
I have the Spendor S3/5's. I have a Jolida JD102B and a Sophia Electric "Baby". I like both very much, but they are very different sounding amps. I mostly use the "Baby". |
Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3887
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:27 pm: |
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Greetings, Rick!
I do not recall any assassinations!
Hope the move went well, for you and for your family.
There have been a number of defections to two-channel. I remember, right at the start, that you advocated the CD performance of a CD-only player.
I think I offered to concede defeat on the topic of multichannel vs stereo, but the offer was not accepted, unless I missed something.
And, since we started, SACD has become primarily a surround format, at least to judge from the observations of the record and hifi industries.
I am vaguely hankering after a two-channel only CD(/SACD) player. It would also bring the benefit (to me) of complete separation of HiFi and TV.
How things change.
It is good that people have their own views on things. From the marketing point of view, getting "audiophiles" all to go the same way must be like herding cats. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 2662
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 02:21 am: |
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Well Dogs It's been a rough week. Yesterday I had to make that choice between the workplace I love and the job I hate and the job I love and the workplace I hate. In the end the camraderie of friends and the opportunity to work with my wife even though it's a job I am not fond of won. I took the loss of pay to be with people I care about.
Tonight as I discovered that somehow a client had gotten my home phone number her call was interrupted by a call from my Brother. My Father passed away tonight. Sorry I'm sharing this with you guys tonight but it's late and I can't sleep. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 177
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 02:30 am: |
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Art
So sorry about your father. You and your family are in our thoughts.
M.R.
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Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3889
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 03:05 am: |
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Art,
M.R. writes for me, too.
This is sad and heavy news. You take care. I had that phone call on Dec 20 1985, a day burned in my memory. So many things have happened since, where my first thought was to tell him; ask his advice; proudly show him grandchildren who came later; all that.
No need to apologise. Many will know how you feel. It is one of the hardest things, and never leaves you. |
Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1282
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 06:16 am: |
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My condolences Art. |
Silver Member Username: Sem
New York
USA
Post Number: 542
Registered: Mar-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 08:31 am: |
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Art,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during your time of grief. Take comfort in knowing the pain of your loss will ease with time, your best memories, thankfully, will not. |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7274
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 09:52 am: |
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Sorry to hear about your father, Art. Unfortunately life seems to dole out challenges in multiples. |
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Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 2663
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful words. |
Bronze Member Username: Margie
Napa,
California
Post Number: 75
Registered: Aug-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
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So sorry Art. My thoughts and prayers to you and family.
Margie
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Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 298
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 03:42 pm: |
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Art,
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. You and your family are in my thoughts. Take care.
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Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 299
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 03:45 pm: |
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Rick,
It's nice to see you posting here again. Hopefully, you'll continue to do so.
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Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 300
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 04:14 pm: |
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To add to the earlier discussion of redbook vs. SACD, I came across some interesting information today about the improvements of CD-R re-recordings of CD's and a magic device that may cause you to rethink a purchase of a CD player:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/cjdiaries.htm
Rebuttal AND Rebuttal-of-Rebuttal AND Rebuttal-of-Rebuttal-of-Rebuttal AND Rebuttal-of-Rebuttal-of-Rebuttal-of-Rebuttal......- in other words, a typical audiophile conversation. Scroll halfway down the page and start reading with the letter from Michael Fremer:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/letters.htm
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Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1283
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 05:10 pm: |
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SM,
Thank you for the kind words. It's nice to chat with my forum friends again. I'll try to be here more often now that the family move has been made. Cheers! |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 179
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 05:49 pm: |
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SM - thanks for the article. Hmmm!
Well, it appears that there is nothing wrong with my Denon DVD-2900. Instead of sending it to the distributor, my dealer decided to have a listen himself along with his two salesmen. He phoned me and asked me to come in so we could listen together and make our comparisons. To recap: I was certain that the cd layer sounded better to my ears (and Mrs Rantz's) than the two channel SACD layer.
Well we listened and I still believe I can hear more detail on the cd layer, however I now think that vocals sound slightly better and that the overall sound has a warmer or more smooth (some may say analogue) touch to it. I also think his listening room helped me to hear this. Still, on most tracks I preferred the cd - I like detail, especially clean, crisp detail in the high end, but not too much as to make listening tiresome.
Next we did the same test with the Denon DVD-3910 (both were hooked up to the new Denon AVC-A11XV mutichannel amplifier. The 3910 was connected by Denon Link (they finally uploaded the softeware successfully) and the 2900 by analogue cables. My conclusions were the same though I preferred the the sound of the 2900, but then I didn't hear the 3910 with analogue cables.
Overall, on both machines, the dealer clearly thought SACD 2ch sounded better, one saleperson thought it was a tad smoother but really said there was very little difference and the other guy agreed with me, saying there was more detail with the cd layer , though as I said, the difference is very subtle.
A good point, and I think this is an important one, is that the cd layer on hybrid sacd's is sonically superior to the standard redbook cd. This has something to do with the DSD process called bitmapping and it creates an advanced resolution cd layer. Back home, I used a standard Diana Krall cd and compared the same tracks on the sacd and the sacd 2 channel was clearly superior, but so was the cd layer on the hybrid disc. Sacd's in 5.1 are still the most satisfying sound (as too are some DVD-A's) for my ears, but 2 channel music does sound terrific played through our Nad 162/272 combo.
So, there you go: when purchasing a hybrid SACD, you are getting an improvement in sound and whether you prefer the 2ch sacd layer or the cd layer it doesn't matter. Perhaps there is more of a difference sonically between both layers when played on stand alone two cahnnel sacd/cd machines, especially higher end ones. I'll stay away from them and be satisfied with my lot. I have to be and I am.
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Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7301
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 05:53 pm: |
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Satisfaction is as satisfaction does.
Ask your wife.
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Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 180
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 06:29 pm: |
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Are you kidding? |
Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 301
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 06:59 pm: |
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Ah, but, if for a mere $575 usd you could buy this magic CD replicator and make all of your redbook CD's sound dramatically better than even SACD - perhaps, even as good as LP - wouldn't that be a worthwhile investment?
The guy marketing the player will also create one of his special CD's for you if you send him a redbook CD and $65. My interest is piqued but, considering all the other money I've recently spent, it may have to wait.
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Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7316
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 07:50 pm: |
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SM- You've been elected the tester for Old Dogs by, I'm certain, unanimous decision. It is now your responsibility to buy, test and report on the above mentioned item. Our future is in your hands. Don't let us down.
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Gold Member Username: Nuck
Parkhill,
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 1102
Registered: Dec-04
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| Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 07:57 pm: |
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Not that there's any pressure at all, SimMc.hehe |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7333
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 01:12 pm: |
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I know most Old Dogs wander through this field on their way home, but I think this bears repeating.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/193312.html
SM, your task is to report on the $575 tweak. I'll do the $25 piece.
So, who'll volunteer for the $5k level "find"?
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Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 302
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 01:59 pm: |
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Ok, I'm happy to do the testing but the Old Dogs will need to cover the $575. I'll keep the machine at my house since it is so ugly. Really, this is a sacrifice on my part since you know how I am about aesthetics.
If it lives up to its hype then I'll be happy to convert everyone's CD libraries for half the currently advertised price. That would work out to $32.50 per CD. You'll need to buy the special black CD's at $125 for 100 CD's in addition to the ripping price.
Sounds like a great deal for me, er, to me. Y'all get LP-quality sound from CD and the aesthetical value of my living room is cheapened by the presence of the replicator. So, who's in?
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Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 185
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 04:43 pm: |
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"I know most Old Dogs wander through this field on their way home, but I think this bears repeating."
Oh no! Not another Edster :-)
Actually, this Old Dog often wonders through this field.
Simply.
Good to see you back. It seems you guys are unhappy with your sound and are prepared to do anything to get some improvement (must be those darn old Mac's) anyway, my cd's sound really good so count me out. Besides, with the exchange rate and postage I might be better off with Eddie's wonderful panny.
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Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1285
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 04:57 pm: |
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You don't have to spend $5K for a good SET and a pair of Lowthers. Anyone who wants to follow the tube path, should stumble on this sooner or later. Just my humble opinion!
Yes Rantz, I too have often wondered.........LOL! |
Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 306
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 06:35 pm: |
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Thanks, MR. If truth be known, I've mostly been listening to my iPod with Etymotic earphones at home and the iPod with Sennheiser headphones at work. This is because my home is in the last stages of a remodel (consisting of wiring the HT, mounting the LCD on the wall and installing new tile around the fireplace) and furniture is moved around and the environment is just not conducive for listening to the real system. Except for last Sunday, when I cranked up Mac/Maggie to take on the new HT system consisting of Harmon Kardon AV receiver and Orb Audio speakers. MM won hands down. But, the HK/Orb system is still pretty sweet for HT. Mac is still first in my heart.
This little Class T amp that Jan linked us to is pretty intriguing though. Curiosity might get the best of me. The only apparent problem is I don't have the high sensitivity speakers it needs. Hmmmm.....
Rick, Glad to see you got your family moved safely to FLA. It sounds like you are enjoying the winter weather. Just wait til summer tho....lol.
Where is Kegger?
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Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 186
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 09:44 pm: |
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"Mac is still first in my heart."
I know he is Sim, all the single guys in town must heartbroken. Kegger's whereabouts is a mystery to me. Come on Keg, show your good old self.
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Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7359
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 10:08 pm: |
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In honor of Mozart's 250th birthday, not only did all the churches in Salzburg ring their steeple bells at 8PM (their time) Friday but on Saturday Dallas' Fine Arts Chamber Players performed his Serenade in B-flat Major K. 361. I had a wonderful seat in the front row, dead center about eight feet from the nearest player and no more than twenty feet from the farthest performer. Two oboes, two bassoons, two clarinets, four horns, one bass and two basset horns. Basset horns(?!), you say. Yes, basset horns. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basset-horn) Two of them. Thirteen performers, seven movements, one sweaty conductor and a quite delightful piece of music it was.
So, that one's out of the way. Now I only have about two thousand more pieces of Mozart to hear before I die. Give or take a few hundred, that is.
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Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 189
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
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Do make time for some life as well Jan. So it's Mozart's 250th birthday. Guess he spends his time just decomposing these days, eh?
BTW - do they have Blood horns as well?
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Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7362
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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I don't know. That's now your area of investigation. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 192
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 12:28 pm: |
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Nah Jan, instruments named after pooches are not in my baliwick at all.
Okay, wonders will never cease (especially on this thread), yesterday I ordered a DVD-A of The London Symphony Orchestra doing Beethoven along with a few more jazz sacd's. It'll take a week or so for delivery then I'll give my impression on "rate your hi-res music"
John,
I recently bought a cd by a pretty young thang from your neck of the woods. Katie Melua has a great take on jazz and easy pop ballads and has a honey edged voiced to boot. Refreshing to hear an eighteen year old with REAL talent. |
Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3894
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 12:33 am: |
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Thanks, MR. Which Beethoven?! He didn't exactly churn it out like WAM, but there are all sorts of different things to consider. Probably a symphony. There are all wonderful. All nine. WAM wrote 41. WAM's get better, later, imho. I'll look with interest for MR on LvB!
That must have been a great concert, Jan.
I'll also look out for Miss Melua. The newspapers here are full of stories of "Arctic Monkeys". Biggest selling first album ever, if I read them right, with interest fuelled by iTunes and downloads, apparently. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 199
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 12:44 am: |
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According to the title John, LVB's classics:
http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=16695§ion=music
Cheers
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Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3895
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 05:25 pm: |
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Ah, a mixed bag, MR. I'll bet it sounds good.
Best wishes. |
Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1286
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 08:19 pm: |
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Mr. Vigne,
Some months ago, you and I had a falling out. I said things to you in anger that I regret. They were uncalled for, and I am truly sorry I said them. Please forgive me. Please take this post as a sincere attempt at an apology, and an offering of the olive branch.
One "Old Dog" to another,
Rick Barnes |
Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3896
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 05:48 am: |
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Rick,
If I may interject, we all seemed to fall out some months ago. Indeed I felt partly responsible, though I am darned if I can recall what exactly it was about. I note that Jan is writing reams on other threads, and I think no-one is getting e-mail notifications these days. Doubtless Jan will reply eventually with some caustic remark.
As co-instigator of this this thread, let me record that it is a great pleasure to read your posts again.
And let us not forget that, thanks to you, Old Dogs begat Tube Talk, which changed our lives!
All the best.
John
PS Same goes for SM alias GC! And yes, where's Kegger? |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7391
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:00 am: |
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Rick - Whenever you're in any lot any Old Dog is visiting, I'll be happy to share my bowl of food with you. Duty says I must, common sense says I should. Had any good bones lately?
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Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 7392
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:45 am: |
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Just in the rare instance where I might be misunderstood, please, let me clarify my post. I have reached the point in my life, as have most of us, where remembering the lessons of my father have become more important. I took lessons that displayed both my father's ability to reach out to people unlike him and his sometimes stubborn refusal to let go of slights and hurts that infected his life until his end came in a lonely hospital room with only me by his side. I would prefer to emulate the former and not the latter.
Rick, we have called each other friend. I consider it unreasonable to withhold friendship from anyone willing to accept in kind. The terms of friendship, as I see them, include the ability to be critical of what the other person says or thinks and the ability to accept any criticism with an open mind. One party may decide they are unwilling, or unable, to change to reflect that criticism, but that is the reciprocal price of friendship. We accept each other for who we are at our core and not for words that might come between us. We are free thinking human beings. As such there are bound to be disagreements between us. In the end, we share a common goal of happiness and prosperity that we broadcast to all people. Being in lockstep in order to achieve our goals is not the order this country, nor any free society, imposes on it citizens or its friends.
Over the years the value of friendships has been amplified over and over in my life. There are always too few while there can be little of greater value to anyone. The price of friendship is high and the rewards are great. Friendship is one of the few things in life of which we should never have enough. Once we have it, we should only relinquish it with great disappointment, not in a fit of anger.
So, Rick, I never considered you not my friend and I assumed you did likewise. We are Old Dogs and Old Dogs stick together. (At least until we receive a good bath.) I'm glad you're back in the lot and I look forward to your contributions. I make no promises nor apologies for my behaviour future or past. I am what I am at my core. Anyone willing to accept that can be my friend. If someone cannot accept who I am, they are still welcome to come along for the ride should they wish. Who knows what will happen in the future? Anyone I consider a friend will have the same acceptance returned to them many times over.
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Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 2697
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 01:40 pm: |
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Well said Jan! That is one of the best posts I've read on this site and I believe it is heartfelt. Bravo! |
Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3897
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 02:20 pm: |
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Agreed. I am a bit short on erudition these days, Art. But let us all consider, too, that friendship requires trust, and that takes time to build. It has been a pleasure getting know people on this thread. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 211
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 04:55 pm: |
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I'll add an eruditious thought:
Ditto!
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Silver Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 314
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 06:59 pm: |
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Cool! Does this mean the Old Dogs World Tour is back on? Rick, do you still have the inside track on a Pepsi sponsorship or do we need to talk to Disney?
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Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1288
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 08:18 pm: |
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Jan,
Thank you my friend. |
Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1289
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 08:20 pm: |
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To all the "Old Dogs",
Thank you my friends. I missed you all while I was away. I feels good to be back. |
Gold Member Username: Rick_b
Orlando,
Florida
USA
Post Number: 1290
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 08:22 pm: |
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SM,
We had better talk to the "MOUSE". LOL! |
Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3899
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 05:20 am: |
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Can one be both a Modern Man and an Old Dog....?!
Now, if I had to choose...
Cheers, all! |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 217
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 06:43 am: |
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Well then John, I may have to resign my dogship - or be beaten into submission to practice the Edisonesque world of audio.
Hmmm, I'll have to sleep on it.
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Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 219
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 02:55 pm: |
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John,
I slept on it, though not very well, tossing and turning from the sheer stress, but I did come up with a decision my friend.
I think being an old modern dog is the solution, however ruff it may be.
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Gold Member Username: John_a
London
U.K.
Post Number: 3900
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 04:00 pm: |
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My Rantz,
You really are a wag.
I was thinking "Once an Old Dog, always an Old Dog".
But now you give paws for thought. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantz
Australia
Post Number: 224
Registered: Nov-05 |
