members and their systems


for the short time I have been on here, I see that members will start a thread asking about a certain piece of equipment or speakers..       they will then buy that piece of equipment / speakers, start a thread about it saying how good it is and then next thing you know, they are starting another thread asking about another piece of gear as they are looking for something different.           what happened to that piece of gear that was so great ?       
  i get the whole buying thing....but where are members getting the money to do all of this stuff ?       do they not have other bills such as rent / mortgage payment, car payment, other bills to pay for also ?
birdscantrow
Porsches are very reliable. Something like 60% of every 911 EVER made is still on the road after like 60 years. The difference with Porsche versus Tekton, Better Records and his other commercials he spouts is that MC doesn’t get any special treatment for promoting them.

Wrong. You are so freaking wrong and full of it. Just like all the haters. I will now channel Jack Nicholson: "You can’t handle the truth!"

Here’s the truth: I don’t promote anything! I’m an enthusiast. Period. Something really good comes along, something I care about, I get enthusiastic and share. It is that simple.

You know this is true. You cannot find even one counter example. Also I am a royal tightwad with my money- and unlike most around here with the notable exception of mahgister I am equally tight with everyone else’s money. Constantly telling people do not waste money on this, do not waste money on that. Even with things like the recent Townshend, almost every time I include the fact you can get quite good results with springs like Nobsound and for a whole lot less. Not as good, but awful good for the money. Who in China I wonder is paying me to tell everyone how great Schumann generators are? When I am telling them to buy the cheapest ones around at $9.91 a piece? You are so full of it. So freaking full of it, you don’t even know!

So let me tell you! The best Porsche tech on the Eastside, Squire Tomasie at Squire’s Autowerke. When I needed a new alternator I called Squire and he said what time will you be here? I get off work 2:30 so I guess around 3. "No, what time?" Okay, I get it. "I will be there at 2:55."

So 2:55 I am rolling into the lot and Randy has the bay door up I pull onto the lift and before I can get out of the car he has the lift ready and I pop the lid and he is going to work. I enjoy a beer with Squire, Randy does the work, and I can go on and on with stories like this all day long. Because that is how I roll.

You. Have. No. Freaking. Clue.

You want to be a hater, spend all day venting your spleen (look it up) be my guest. Hope the world treats you as badly for your ill will as it showers pennies from heaven on me for my enthusiasm.

No, seriously, this is an audiophile site. I am an audiophile. A damn serious one. As someone told me recently, it seems this site is more for people who just want to spend all day knocking everyone else showing how great they are, a lot of them probably don’t even have systems.

Insightful comment. Can’t help noticing sokogear, no system. Move along. Please.
millercarbon,

Do you ever pay attention to what you write? This is what you managed to mix in one single post.


"No, seriously, this is an audiophile site. I am an audiophile. A damn serious one."

This serious...

So let me tell you! The best Porsche tech on the Eastside, Squire Tomasie at Squire’s Autowerke. When I needed a new alternator I called Squire and he said what time will you be here?....I enjoy a beer with Squire, Randy does the work, and I can go on and on with stories like this all day long. Because that is how I roll.

Some words of wisdom...

"...it seems this site is more for people who just want to spend all day knocking everyone else showing how great they are..."

And then you present yourself with this...

"Hope the world treats you as badly for your ill will as it showers pennies from heaven on me for my enthusiasm."

Calm down your inept anger towards whoever is not you.




tomcy6,

"...do you have any new insights into the hot stamper Emotional Rescue? Have you listened to it some more? Has anyone else listened to it and opined?"

As you can see, this thread takes anything so you are in the right place with your question.

I have not played that record ever since that first (few) times. That game was for me just enough.

The record is still on offer, but there have been no takers. I asked once or twice again on that thread, but nobody contacted me. I guess there is not much interest. I thought that someone who already has a regular copy might be interested in comparing and letting us know, but nobody so far raised her/his hand. I am only asking for it to be sent back whenever the person finishes with it. If there is more than one person, even better. The sample becomes more significant. Still, I lost hope.

Maybe it is because it is not a usual Hotel California, Diana Krall, Pink Floyd variety?




...at least I show up after everyone's' gone to bed or (perhaps) turned their heat down.....*phew*

Spend what thrills or chills you on audio...and let your ears do the walking. ;)

Cells....our 'lectric leashes tend to echo our desires and maybe our needs.  Kinda like ones' underwear...*L*

Since the business 'we' are looking to hire some new slaves (I mean) 'employees', we're looking at using a 'burner' for initial contact purposes.
We can remain anonami to winnow the huff 'n chuff from the potentials to keep from being pestered by the wannabees.

The hire hall at this point is such that any biped worth considering is already busy; we're looking for some newbies that exhibit potential without ingrained habits and lofty self-worth $ in their eyes....

Ones' that make new mistakes that don't repeat them just 'cuz they think they know Better....

"Well, I used a bigger hammer on it...."
'Your mistake was using it on the item, instead of your head...'
Thanks for your defense @glupson.I have only ever criticized one person on this site. That is because of his hypocrisy as you’ve so clearly pointed out.

One more instance of his hypocrisy - he only promotes certain brands not to be renamed again, and he says he does it only because he likes them and gets no special treatment from them. If that’s the case, what about the numerous other laundry list of products he uses? He doesn’t like them? Or they don’t give him something? Maybe not directly, but there must be some benefit.

Lastly, he says people spend all day attacking others on AG. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. And yes, I do havre a system that has been improving over 40 years that I have commented on its various components where appropriate. Just because I don’t take pictures of it and post them doesn’t make me unenthusiastic about my audio and music passion. I don’t need to brag, not that it is only braggarts who post their pictures, just the “damn serious” audiophiles. Lighten up - this is a fun hobby and people who are interested can learn things here. Sometimes from you! 

The best example is he has said many times that he is not fussy! Try to control your laughter.

I agree with some of his promotion like Townshend vibration control solutions. They helped me tremendously. It’s the ones that he says affect audio mysteriously that are highly questionable. All he can say is listen and have faith. Then when someone says they don’t improve the sound, he makes excuses. I am honest in my opinions when I try something, good or no change. 
IAnother proof point, after he told me to contact Townshend, he told me to tell them that he sent me. If no benefit to him, then why would he say that?

@mahgister at least has a possible reason for the sound change as plugging in more SR devices to your electric grid can change the sound. I don’t see how that could be a positive, but who knows, and maybe it could do something. I have never personally criticized him.

Now maybe MC will move along, but I doubt it.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Who needs a house when I am living in your heads rent free!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

millercarbon,

"Who needs a house when I am living in your heads rent free!"

In the world of flora and fauna that is the description of a parasite.
sokogear,

"...he only promotes certain brands not to be renamed again, and he says he does it only because he likes them and gets no special treatment from them."

For some reason, I am afraid that it is actually true. Influencer in the making who could use a style coach to appear more believable.
Op as you can see it’s all just a big hot mess.  Stop trying to figure things out.  It’s hard.  That’s why people are always seeking new toys.  There is no rhyme or reason.  Just the thrill of the chase.    Is that enough to explain it?
@glupson- at a minimum he gets free use of their gear to “spread the word” - I think he does have to return it (and maybe swap it out for something else.). He has said that.

Any other discounts (especially from Better Records), who knows. 
At least the guys who make money from this stuff identify themselves here, but they are less “damn serious” than MC.
millercarbon,

No need to be jealous. When you grow up, you can buy our toys, too.
well social justice in 2020 and 2021 was helping out our local food banks.....
The virtue signaling snak  was aimed at aimed right at the bootstrap frugality sect, trigged just as i envisioned...

Porsche is a soulless German appliace, with corresponding reliability, ranking the last four i have owned in order from highest to lowest: Boxster S,  993, 911 SC, 996 TT w X-50, only the Boxster purchased new ( i did camp out at dealer until they met my $ offer, ordered a pizza, had it delivered to waiting lobby.... how’s that for a signal ? In our LiL condo parking garage, there are 3 F cars, a Bentley ( yes the stereo rocks ), some Bavarian and Modern Porsche...none of the F cars are Queens and i don’t see them leaving on tow trucks...

having said that a trailer tuna boat, 40 fishing days a year, and a tow rig makes audio look affordable.....
also many a great struggling musical artist, support crews going thru hard times. Patreon is one place to find and help them.....
as an aside, Mclaren i see often parked on the street a few blocks away, low beach rambler, no driveway, no garage...i am sure the dude, who abides, does not have a cell phone....
@tomic602 - nice Lil (what is that?) garage. I'm sure the Porsche dealer was thrilled while you ate pizza in their showroom waiting for a better deal.....

You should try a Cayman GT4 - I'd get one if it only had a sunroof (maybe GTS - the 4's are kinda pricey with the markups) ....Caymans are more fun than 911s. I'm not a cab guy.

Don't be jealous of McLarens - $2K for an annual oil service - if you can get an appointment that is.
I’ll be honest, and I have no shame...I buy one piece at a time, ok sometimes 2....on credit. I then pay it off over time. I am very selective on what I buy, as i will be keeping it for a long time. Music Direct is one resource, as they offer up to 3 years to pay on large ticket items, zero interest. There is also paypal credit, they run offers for 24 mo. @ zero interest with a minimum payment required. Just as long as you can afford to pay it back and you are not laid off or fired, then I do not see an issue. Otherwise, with mortgage and other bills, I’m not sure how else I’d have what I have today. Oh, I also sell on Ebay and on occasion here....that helps fund something new or what have you. It can get to be a merry go round, but at some point you smarten up and settle on what you have. Nowadays I spend my money on LP’s....that can get out of hand too! 😁
You should try a Cayman GT4 - I’d get one if it only had a sunroof (maybe GTS - the 4’s are kinda pricey with the markups) ....Caymans are more fun than 911s. I’m not a cab guy.

pag gt cars do not have sunroofs as they are meant to be track tools

the only, and notable, exception is the 997.1 gt3 which came to the usa with sunroof only, as in 2006-7, pag had not yet certified non sunroof 911’s with the usa dept of transportation, since the 997 chassis/body was only introduced in 2005 - by 2008-09 the certification of the slicktop 997 was done, thus the 997.2 gt3 was sold in the usa only without sunroof

that been said, the new 718 cayman gts has the new 4.0 liter mill... and softer suspension tuning than gt4 or boxspy... would be a very nice dual purpose car

@jss49- I was talking about the GTS Cayman. I am a sunroof guy so I have a 911 GTS that has a sunroof. The GT#s are the track cars that typically don’t offer sunroofs because for the added weight.

I think there was a GT3 with a sunroof option for a year or two with the 996.2, but it has less power than my car and was more $$.

I think if Porsche made the Cayman with a sunroof option (if that is possible), it would cannibalize 911 sales and cost them money. That would be my car - probably a GTS.
@sokogear

got it... i actually forgot that caymans since the original 987 never had sunroofs... guess they figure you want a mid engine car driven in open air the boxsters are right there

that little section of roof panel is too short to build in a sunroof cassette anyways... they of course want to keep the cg low and want to maximize the already limited headroom

thank goodness the germans don’t do what the japanese did with their sports cars, which is build it around an average size 5-9 height driver!
True. Every try to get in a newer NSX? Im 6' and guaranteed to hit my head getting out of it. Other than that, it's a great car and you can get them due to Acura's (Honda's) inept marketing.
He should try a 911. I have more room in that than I did in my '05 4Runner. By a good amount - especially leg room.
Audiophile experience, i dont pretend to the best audiophile experience in the world tough, please read me with your intelligence, i only claim that a relatively good Audiophile experience may cost peanuts....

And cost peanuts for me....

I called my virtual system page " audiophile experience for the poor"

Dont be fooled by the old photos you will see, it is "nuttier" now; but dont be fooled by the images, the S.Q. is the best i ever listen to at any cost.... Not the best system in the world but the best for me.... Understand me rightly please....I dont boast about my gear, i instead promote cheap homemade embeddings controls for ANY gear at ANY price...


Most people dont know what their system will sound like in a controlled mechanical embeddings, nor with a lower electrical noise floor and ESPECIALLY with a passive AND ACTIVE room controls....They CANNOT figure out trust me....It is impossible save if you lived it through...And dont search for an article review about this experience in audio magazine.... They sell costly upgrades addition...At best costly bass traps or diffusive surfaces....

Dont be fooled by my room/laboratory, for 500 bucks paid for all my system, i smile listening with comparison to any system... Not because my system is better... He is good but not better and even less good than most pictures i see on Audiogon.... But there is an ABYSS between well embedded and not well embedded...An ABYSS....Not a small difference....

You will not read what i just wrote in audio magazine....

Guess why?

Electronic design is mature for the last 50 years, it is easy to pick some pieces at good price; But it is less easy to figure out how to implement working embeddings controls, embeddings controls are called "tweaks", secondary addition to the system bordering on snake oil for most people....This is a proof of complete ignorance of audio for me....

It is the opposite which is true, give me any good gear i will transform it..... the gear is ALMOST secondary, the ACOUSTIC is primary especially ACTIVE acoustic control not only necessary passive materials treatment.... I laught at people comparing costly dac in non acoustically controlled room....How in the hell can they know how they really sound? Some compared costly pieces of gear in minimally controlled room.... Guest what is the result? harshness, unnatural timbre which is easy to listen to even through my own system....

Why in the hell no audio review explain it very loud?


Guess why?

The more powerful effect in audio is the " pricing" placebo....Read me with intelligence i know perfectly well that many costly amplifier may be better than my Sansui..... But costly upgrade are NOT the solution..... The consumers conditioning with costly upgrade is the problem.... Thank God! i trusted only me ears from the beginning and with them figure out cheap solutions....I spared much money and much despair.....I did not wanted to die without listening music with a good sound... It is done.... 




Went to Motor Trend and Road & Track to check out which Porsche fits me best and was referred here. Thank dog. My Karmann Ghia is a '67 and only has 400,000+ miles, but figured what the heck, I do finally deserve a Porsche! Huh? What??
Oh, by the way, I still have my Sansui 350 and Pioneer PL-A25 with the top of the line Lafayette speakers. Should I consider trading these in too??? What sounds best to you folks? Thanks again...
The new 992 has the most head and leg room, AP fits in it easily and he is at least 6ft. Only problem, their entire MY21 allocation is already filled for some models. Or so I have heard. Not quite ready to order mine so don't know for certain yet but it sure looks like at least the C4S is sold out through the end of the year. 

I know, it is a surprise, finding quality Porsche content on an audiophile site. It's not the site. It's just me. Being me.
992 is way too big and complicated and all turbos. 991 was too big for that matter and had a ridiculous looking sunroof when open. I like the 997.2- no IMS problems. Regular in line 6, sunroof, etc.

I know .... that what the purists said when the water cooled ones came out in ‘99.

if you want a new one, get a Cayman or Boxster. I think you can get a 6 cylinder model, non-turbo.
When the 996 came out it was head and shoulders a better car than any 911 that came before. But it was different. So it caught flack. The iconic 911 door closing sound was gone. I complained about this to an older more experienced Porsche man.

"That’s nothing!" he said, "You should have seen it when the 911 came out! The 356 was entirely made by hand, the 356 guys would say the door closed like a bank vault, the 911 you have to slam it."

The 992 is the best Porsche. Until the next one. https://youtu.be/bXRyy-RBuzc?t=565 Watch when he changes from Sport to Normal, you can see the ride go smooth on the video. 322kph. 200mph. Fizz in the pants. https://youtu.be/bXRyy-RBuzc?t=793
I’m sure it is better, just like the 996 was better than the 993. Just not my cup of tea. I wish they made a Cayman with a sunroof (which I know doesn’t fit without really reducing headroom). I’ve gone from 996 (C4) to 997.1 (S) to 997.2 (GTS). These are like planes as you know, no need to change every 4-5 years. 
I’ve driven the 991 and 992. I think they are getting too big, like the 928 did. And the sunroofs are a disaster from a looks standpoint. 
Everyone knows the Cayman is the best handling Porsche, and I might add most fun, I just can’t live without a sunroof and don’t want a cab I can only use a few months a year without freezing or burning. There are worse things in the world than driving a 10 year old (and counting) 911.
Milliercarbon:

Isn’t the question of what one “earns” a loaded question in such an unequal society? 
I’m not saying that I care to draw that line somewhere in the middle of this forum. Just sayin’ 
@mitch2 - please let's not get political.....

and @unreceiveddogma - who mentioned what someone earns? I didn't see it any of @millercarbon 's posts. Not that he hesitates to defend himself....
I owned a 991 and the car is so damn good its no longer scary to be in a car that could win the Daytona 500 20 years ago with the AC and music playing.

Technology has made some many of the things I really like more attainable
  • a great performing car relative to my first car (1975 Dodge Dart) is downright cheap because it works 99.9% of the time versus 80% of the time.
  • speaker technology has improved...a $500 pair of speakers is light years better than my Advents!
  • Ok, records are more expensive but streaming is cheaper than buying Maxell XLIIs for the car stereo!


@sokogear 

I decided to 'downsize' both my house and my toy collection. 

Got rid of my 911 and C63S and bought a used Toyota Camry.


My sincere condolences. I told my wife when I got my first 911 18 years ago that this is the car I'm driving until I can't get in or out of it.....

Hopefully health wasn't a factor in your decision.

At least you won't be incurring much in terms of depreciation cost....
Anyone sells a 911 to buy a Camry is beyond help. I don’t care how old you are. As Jerry Seinfeld says, "This is a dead man’s car." It is a bit much to say you should be buried in it. But only a bit.

I got my first 911 30 years ago and recently told my wife I’m driving the next one forever. Here it is. https://youtu.be/bXRyy-RBuzc?t=566 Watch closely, you can see the ride change from Sport to Normal. Only in a Porsche 911 is 190mph "Normal".
@mrklas I recently advertised on Facebook my 2002 BMW M3 E46 that I had bought brand new (200K miles). I have 150 responses in 1 hour and a guy who had seen my car on my driveway before came to my house 10 minutes after the ad went up and game me cash. 

I am now driving a 12 year old Chevy Aveo, a bicycle, and also new speakers. Pretty happy the way things went.
190 in a 996 X-50 is child's play. It lacks the soul of the 993...
they simply are different creatures with some common dna...

i currently own neither, mostly because I believe in sampling...

like colors.. Zanzibar Red, Adventurine Green, Garnet, and ( of course ) Slate Grey...
Hey MC - mine might be my last one - '11 GTS. max 997.2 power other that GT3 (has no sunroof) No turbo, normal sunroof. Triple black, center lock wheels....Please convince me otherwise. I've always replaced every 6 years and now I am overdue.

Can't think of anything else except an older, slower GT3. I don't pay for collectibility, just pure fun.
I have a German friend who lives in Hamburg; he and his family own a successful machine business.  You would never know it by interacting with him.  Very laid back and non-ostentatious.

After a few years the subject of cars came up.  He always has the fanciest AMG sedan and reminded me that those cars are bred for the Autobahn  He drives extremely fast when knucklehead drivers aren't in the wrong lane.  I know sedans and Porsches are quite different, but I'm sure there are several German cars that feel like child's play at 190.
Even as great as the 911 is, there have over the years been a few times Porsche really hit a home run. Not necessarily the fastest, but the best combination of speed, handling and comfort that combine for indescribably fun factor. The first was the 911SC. Then the 964RSA. The last one was the 997.2.  

The 997 GTS came with magnetorheological fluid filled motor mounts. These motor mounts change from squishy commuter comfort to rock hard race in milliseconds. Computer controlled. When I say rock hard race, when I nailed it at 5k in 2nd the car did not merely accelerate, it felt as if we had been rear-ended! I have been in a Cup Car. Those the engine is hard mounted. You feel every ingition every cylinder. The 997 you feel comfort- until you nail it and it becomes a Cup Car. 

This people is just the motor mounts. All this technology, and we are just talking about the freaking motor mounts. In a 911 from two generations ago.

sokogear, your GTS is a home run. Drove it, know it.  Check it out, according to this carbon fiber wheels with center locking hubs will be an option on the 992.2! https://youtu.be/y4k05gh58WE?t=517 

My wheels are not carbon fiber. I think either a GT3 RS or GT2 has a Weissach package for $30K that had magnesium special light wheels. I didn't even know about the motor mounts. I've only pushed my car once, on an empty highway. It seemed to have unlimited power/acceleration, even in 6th.

The wheels in that video are sick. I only wonder what it would cost to replace one if you blow it out. ($5K or more).

Based on your comments, I guess this is my last car (that only I drive with rare exception). In only put on 5K a year. I'm surprised you didn't mention any GT3s or GT2s. I guess you are talking about cars you can fairly easily find without breaking the bank.

I still have to deal with my wife changing cars every 4 or so years. I drive them in the rain, snow, etc. Considering a Macan for her or may just lease another A4. Have another year+ to worry about it. I just hope the supply chain improves so the market isn't as crazy as it is now. Otherwise I'll have to buy the A4 off of the lease, and they are not long term keepers with their reliability issues.