I was just sent this thread, as we've been so busy here - no time to chit-chat. Although the discussions can be lively and sometimes entertaining, it can sometimes result in a poorly-considered sense of judgment, as in the case of Number 95, who wrote that he considered my latest effort was "a toy".. That was a first, in my experience.
It must be nice to be an expert and deliberately dash someone's efforts and livelihood right onto the rocks; myself, I'm not that omnipotent, and certainly would never presume go to that level of hyperbole. But in the world of free-expression, too many times anything goes (as we've all seen in this crazy world)...!! In this day of everyone's-an-expert, for those with an adjenda or unmovable personal bias, it appears that all that's needed is to just make a joke of it, and "Presto" - you're a reviewer! And to hell with the years of building quality reputations for a product and one's best effort at service. Fortunately, cooler heads usually prevail, and others chime in with reassuring reason. Through the years (over 20 now, and counting) pretty much the whole industry seems to have enjoyed our efforts, frequently in the audio press, who have seen more than a few other tonearms in their days. And even more than the reviews, I've received many e-mails and phone calls with happy customers. High priase, indeed, and much, much appreciated...
That being said, I will be the first to admit that the Elite took far longer to get to market than I wished or planned. Part of that is internal, and the early efforts of 2013 showed where we needed to add to the design for efficiency and performance. Not to make excuses for delays (In the end, we do have to produce, after all!) but if customers only KNEW the trials-of-the-damned that most of us small manufacturers go through with vendors; i.e., delivery schedules being promised and kept, quality control that we insist upon, and sourcing other components and vendors as the need arises. All sorts of nightmares behind the scenes, to make quality products and to make it look easy at the same time.
OK, with my pushed-buttons being somewhat relieved, I will also say that the Elite (and new Phantom III) are true advances in our on-going work, and the proof - at least to most people - will be in the listening. We continue to build on our basic design concepts which have proven themselves reliable and also (we believe) provide the highest level of performance attainable, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Elite tonearm.
While it shares a direct heritage with it's earlier siblings, the design has been taken to a much higher - and more costly - level. In addition to a different arm tube and vastly improved wiring (with a dielectric absorption coefficient approaching the ideal "1"), the pivot assembly is altogether more sophisticated and with the constrained-layer damping of a new high-density tungsten insert, results in a smoother, more extended range, with clarity but not brightness, with bass extension without tubbiness or false mid-bass emphasis. As for the pivot bearing that Mr. 95 suggests is different compared to the B-44, I can only add that, if the good 95 has an older B-44, then he may, indeed, have a different version, and one which provides significantly higher bearing loading for even less possibility of bearing chatter. And both bearings, by the way, are made to my specifications by the same precision supplier in Switzerland.
And of course, we all know that each manufacturer says HIS is the best! What else would you expect? However, with the exception of Mr. 95 - whose system and audio taste is unknown - everyone else who has tried this arm, even in prototype form, went wild over the improvements in the earlier designs; and indeed,over other tonearms they had been using or trying.
And in due course, experienced reviewers, who have put their reputations on the line with every word they write, will soon be analyzing and commenting on the Elite (and the Phantom III), so we look forward - with calm and confidence, I might add - to their conclusions..
But please understand I don't turn a blind ear or eye to meaningful and constructive suggestions and criticisms. We may be small (any smaller and we wouldn't be here..!), and take all input to heart. Sometimes these thoughts are not helpful; other times, they can make a lot of difference in how I design a new product, and I'm grateful for the loyal following who do this. (By the way, I also know that our old instruction book is long overdue for replacement, and we are right now working on an entirely new version, complete with lots of detail photos and less words. And printed on nice, glossy paper in booklet form. And with full specifications)!
Being small (like being green, as Kermit would say), and having to deal with quality outside vendors for parts made to our tight specifications is not easy, but we persevere to make the best tonearm we're capable of creating. And one which is not built on re-inventing the wheel or using a fanciful idea as it's centerpiece (such as 3-D printing), but is based on sound concepts and proven results.
The chat rooms are enjoyable (most of the time, anyway), but with the availability of the internet and a keyboard, it seems everyone - even the occasional loose cannon - can be a reviewer. The opinions can vary wildly, and sometimes with reckless abandon; that's why some of us do not share in it all the time - it's far too time-consuming to try and clarify the unconvinced. And I believe,that's one of the reasons why the esteemed Michael Fremer doesn't engage any more. Just remember, we can all have our say, but also remember there's a tacit responsibility in doing that; like the Medical Doctor's creed (First, do no harm) there is a place for opinion and constructive criticism, but do try to refrain from hurtful hyperbole. You're entitltled to your opinion, but just remember others may not agree.
In any event, for those letters and phone calls (which I try to take if we're not too busy at the time) I take them all seriously, and if things need correcting we do it, and try to do so with graciousness and appreciation for the customer's needs and wants. So I say, "Thank you!" - Bob Graham
