| Author |
Thread: An interview with Ken Kessler author of "the" book on McIntosh |
    
Gold Member Username: Exerciseguy
Brooklyn,
NY
United States
Post Number: 1852
Registered: Oct-04
|
| Posted on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 07:14 pm: |
|
http://us.cinenow.com/videos/1482-ken-kessler-author-of-book-on-mcintosh
I need to pick up a copy of this book as soon as I can free up some funds. |
|
Relevant Product Info
|
|
Gold Member Username: Mike3
Wylie,
Tx
USA
Post Number: 1247
Registered: May-06
|
| Posted on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 10:30 pm: |
|
I have that book courtesy of a house guest I had, Nuck.
I also enjoyed this video which I found from your link CM.
http://us.cinenow.com/videos/1487-ken-kessler-talks-about-channel-revival |
Gold Member Username: Exerciseguy
Brooklyn,
NY
United States
Post Number: 1853
Registered: Oct-04
|
| Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 08:30 am: |
|
Nice house guest.
Thanks for that link Mike. I especially like his comments regarding this hobby being a father-son thing, and like so many other things, inheriting your big brothers catchers mitt, your fathers wristwatch, grandpa's razor, the demise of hi-fi, like the demise of fatherhood itself, is a another rip in the American cultural fabric; if it's turning around, well that's a good thing IMHO. |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 10050
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 07:24 pm: |
|
Great host, and a good friend. |
Gold Member Username: Exerciseguy
Brooklyn,
NY
United States
Post Number: 1854
Registered: Oct-04
|
| Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:21 pm: |
|
That was very nice Nuck; did you keep one for yourself? |
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 10061
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 05:31 am: |
|
Nope, ran out of money, LOL! |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 12449
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 10:48 am: |
|
.
The McIntosh book would have intimidated Nuck's Classe amplifiers. It weighs more than they do.
 |
Gold Member Username: Exerciseguy
Brooklyn,
NY
United States
Post Number: 1858
Registered: Oct-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 08:26 pm: |
|
Has anyone ever written a authoritative history of the pioneers of hi-fi? (hint, hint, Jan) |
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 12459
Registered: May-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 11:27 pm: |
|
.
To my knowledge no one has ever compiled such a book. The first problem is the scope of the project. "Audio" came about in the 1920-30's with Bell Labs and RCA leading the way. In England EMI was a driving force at the same time. Both sides of the Atlantic established many if not the vast majority of concepts we accept today. Both digital theory and "surround sound" were established theories in the 1930's and sat for decades just waiting for the right technology to allow them to exist in reality.
The War and the years afterward established numerous new heroes and their creations. The American market was the dominant force but the English established the BBC as a vital force in audio research. The French, Germans and Italians contributed their share of innovations in design and execution. Like these groups the Japanese high end had its largest success when they looked back at the technologies the US market was leaving for dead. Tubes, triodes, single ended amplifiers, horns and single driver speakers emerged from those markets outside the US and still exist as the "lunatic fringe" to many American audiophiles. Not so the rest of the world.
A few years back when HiFi News published their fiftieth anniversary edition they asked their writers for a list of the fifty most influential people in audio. It was almost impossible to get sufficient agreement to compile an authoratative list from just the contributions of a handful of writers.
I don't believe Kessler has published his books as anything more than limited editions meant to satisfy his desire to not let certain names be forgotten. Making money off such a book would seem highly unlikely.
. |
|
|
Platinum Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 10063
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 09:36 am: |
|
They made enough offa me!
The Mac book is indeed a weighty tome. it might be full of tar to make it heavier.
 |
