...for unsportsmanly-like conduct (myself included)! Let's stop "piling on" Didactically. It appears from his postings that he is dealing with issues other than stereo gear. I, for one, have not shown much Christian charity while dealing with someone here on Audiogon who may be at a low and bleak point in his life.

Didactically, I truly hope that your stereo rig and music bring you joy, if you are indeed going through some tough times. I know, because I've been there myself. And many times, my music was the only beacon in a sea of blackness.

fatparrot October 31, 2004 16:05

Guidocorona, your posts were a "hoot"! Informative, amusing, and very well written...you should be writing Op/Ed or satire pieces professionally. I don't think that I will be joining you as a guest for dinner, however! As for Didactically, any attempt at a meaningful discussion on audio or his cultist's views on audio are pointless. Read through his posts. Irrelevancy, absurdity, and redundancy run through all.

fatparrot October 25, 2004 18:39

Aw Psychicanimal, you're just upset because you didn't make it onto Didactically banned reading list! Keep telling it like it is Bro', and I'm sure that you'll make his revised list.

fatparrot October 13, 2004 19:52

Read it. It's insightful and might actually lead you to an improved relationship with others here at Agon! What are you afraid of? Actually, I'm sure that you've already read it!

YOU were the one that made reference to Hitler's totalitarianism. And yet, you now want to censor my speech on this website. Mmmm...very strange, indeed!

fatparrot October 13, 2004 01:36

No, I think that it is you who needs help.

I, as well as other members of Agon, have been trying to help you since you first started posting here last month! You used the term, and I quote, "Seig heil" to imply that one's preferences should not be mandated. Being of Jewish heritage, I know full well the dangers that a totalitarian approach brings! Music should be an experience that lifts the soul, and beautifies one's life. Perhaps this understanding is what separates audiophiles from the masses who cannot appreciate the rewards of a satisfying audio system.

Unfortunately, you Didactically, seem to be the one who advocates a totalitarian approach! Anyone who doesn't subscribe to the principles of Siegfried Linkwitz has an inferior system, "masters of coloration", I believe is your term. Here at Agon, we discuss, ask questions, refute or substantiate claims and theories, and yes, we do even argue! In the end, we hopefully have been enlightened, and have LEARNED by thoughtfully considering all positions. We may arrive right back at our original position, but we can justify this by using careful evaluation and further research. This is especially important for people just entering the often intimidating and confusing world of high end audio. Unfortunately, you seem to be incapable of the mental exercise necessary for learning, which subsequently leads to growth and maturity.

You have answered none of the many questions posed to you by others. We have also noted that you will not discuss any of your previous audio experiences, equipment owned, or equipment auditioned. Your responses are a rote regurgitation of theories espoused on the Siegfried Linkwitz website. You use catch phrases that sound like political sound bites ("masters of distortion", "true to the original"). I have pointed out flaws in your approach and reasoning. I then followed by asking specific questions. Your response was simply that I am angry.

Since your recent arrival here at Agon, we have observed the behavior similar to that of a child "holding his breath until he turns blue" rather than a mature individual having an intelligent exchange of ideas in a freewheeling debate. It appears that your postings here are not related to audio, but instead, you are trying to fulfill some other unmet need in your life. I truly hope that someday, you will "get it together", and then be able to look back at your postings, seeing them for what they really are.

Best of luck to you, and I hope that you continue to enjoy audio and music.

fatparrot October 12, 2004 23:22

Tireguy, Grrr, growl, bark! Watch out...mad dog...I mean, mad parrot! :-)

Hey, I have to call a Vegas bookie to get the line on Didactically ever answering a question. There's some SERIOUS money to be made on that bet!

fatparrot October 12, 2004 02:29

Interesting that you NEVER directly answer questions that have arisen concerning your statements, some of which are contradictory in nature! My observations were not an eruption, but an illustration of why you have zero credibility when it comes to things audio. You have insulted EVERYONE at this sight who doesn't agree that your philosophy is the only way to THE HOLY AUDIO TRUTH! It appears that even you yourself are unable to clarify your own (Siegfried Linkwitz's) position. So here are some simple questions:

1) How is it possible for a Sony TCD-D3 Digital Audio Tape Walkman, that doesn't even use a 20 bit super mapping module, to ever possibly produce a master tape that is "true to the original"?

2) One of your dogmas states that ultra-low distortion is the only way one can get sound that is "true to the original". Is a linear frequency response also necessary for "true to the original" reproduction? How can your "reference" Shure Earbuds, which have 3 noticeable frequency peaks (according to Siegfried Linkwitz) possibly be "true to the original" if the reference transducer's output does not match the input?

3) You keep telling us about your listening experiences. What equipment have you previously owned, or auditioned, before discovering the "Great Audio Truth'?

4) You don't appear to own a turntable. What is your opinion of analog vinyl?

5) In your system photo, you appear to have placed electronic components DIRECTLY on top of one another, instead of using a separate and stable shelf for each piece of gear. Do you feel that this practice denigrates the sound, or that this is, in fact, the proper method to set up audio gear?

6) Can you give a coherent and direct answer to even ONE of these questions?

fatparrot October 11, 2004 18:58

Are you joking? True to the original? Your audio god used a Sony TCD-D3 Digital Audio Tape Walkman for his master tape. This is obviously MUCH more true to the original than a good analog tape machine. The guy doesn't even at least use a Nagra digital recorder, but of course, the Sony will have the same audio quality as the Nagra, but the gullible mindset of the rest of us brainwashed audiofools will insist that there is a difference in quality between the two models, and that an analog master tape running at 30 or even 15 I.P.S. cannot compete with the Sony DAT walkman because Siegfried Linkwitz says it's "THE TRUTH".

I am also amused by the fact that on his reference CD, of the 28 tracks, only 5 are musical selections, 2 are of an orchestra tuning up, and a full 21 are SOUND EFFECTS. So you must be an expert on "true to the original" sound effects, as opposed to music.

It is also interesting to note of your constant confusion in referring to the Shure EARBUDS, which is your reference standard (not even headphones for cryin' out load!) The Shure is the model E2's and the Etymotic is the model ER-4s. You should learn to differentiate between two manufacturers!

Here's where it gets paradoxical. You throw around the term "true to the original", quote distortion specs as holy writ, and to you and your Guru, measurements are everything. So explain why Siegfried Linkwitz uses an EQ notch filer to change the flat response of the Etymotics to a -5 dB notch at 2.5 kHz and a -8 dB notch at 7.5 kHz?!!!! Whoops, there goes "true to the original". And I guess he must be, to quote you, "[one of] those who for some reason have been persuaded into using their playback system to mix and modify the music they play."

Even more interesting is the statement by Siegfried Linkwitz regarding the Shure model E2 Earbuds. And I quote, "Listening tests to commercial recordings and my own DAT head-related recordings revealed a very realistic tonal balance, frequency extension, superb detail and dynamics without using any equalization. When I actually listened to a slow sinewave sweep, I found a fairly broad peak centered at 3.8 kHz, a mild peak at 5.9 kHz and another peak at 9.2 kHz. I made no attempt at equalization, because the realism of the E2 is so convincing. Also, at all frequencies the sound seemed fuller than with the other models, though I cannot explain why it should."

So what can we gather about that Great Audio Guru Siegfried Linkwitz:

1) He uses an inferior DAT master tape source
2) He is a master of a sine wave sweep tone, and his ears serve as a dB test meter (I guess that shoots your test equipment measurement theory all to hell!)
3) True to the original means drastic frequency response equalization, to destroy a flat frequency response to get the sound right (sweep tones, not music) on the Etymotic's, but the Shure Earbuds with 3 noticeable peaks requires no EQ, "....because the realism of the E2 is so convincing. Also, at all frequencies the sound seemed fuller than with the other models, though I cannot explain why it should." (Again quoting S.K.) Specs are now irrelevant
3) Your theory of monitoring using reference earphones, and "true to the original" are diametrically and irreconcilably opposed.

Your posts are the biggest crock of audio B.S. that I have ever read in my life!

fatparrot October 11, 2004 09:37

You state in many of your posts:

"As for the top end gear, try listening with reference earphones, then compare."

You refer to the Shure model for $100-?!!! I have never heard of this model nor of it making anyone's list of reference headphones. Why are you referring to this model as "reference" upon which you are basing your entire fundamental premise of "true to the original" sound reproduction?

fatparrot October 11, 2004 03:37