Schroder sq and the new talea

Dear Mosin, we always like to think of audio components as pieces of art or the strive for excellence. In fact they are mechanical (tonearms) , electrical or mechanic-electrical devices.
No art, - but either applied physics consequently executed (rarely so..) or fair to good attempts to do so.
The sad fact that so many audiophiles like to look at audio designers as "genius", "guru" or plain "audio wizard" tells a lot about the audio community, but nothing about audio ( if it tells anything, then that a majority of us has no clue about audio design).
It certainly isn't that great news nor does it sound very sexy, but this is plain engineering and fairly low level science.
Our beloved and almost mystical audio components are just that - audio components made to extract, equalize and amplify low frequency (everything we hear is low frequency from the technical viewpoint).
They either do their job fair, good, mediocre or excellent.
Very simple indeed.

Hi Salectric,

Yes, he is that same Dave Shreve. I believe you are right in that he was ahead of his time. We discussed his association with Jim Whiney of Magnepan, the tonearm Magnepan made with on-the-fly VTA, and how it was influenced by Mitchell Cotter's writings. We also talked about the Spiral Groove tonearm, and how it appears to be a progression of the work.

Anyway, Dave has a great set of ears, and he definitely thinks outside the box. I was really thrilled to meet him. He still mods linear tonearms, by the way.

Dertonarm,

I am reminded of the great sculptor, Alexander Caulder, who held a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but considered himself an artist. He thought the two could walk hand in hand, and he proved it by combining disciplines. I suppose he was yet another with an intense ability to think outside the box.

As to simplicity, the devil is in the details, and always has been. Maybe that is what is referred to as being deceptively simple. It is when it can be made to look easy that it becomes art.

Warren Buffet once described value investing as "simple but not easy". I think that can be applied to audio design.

By the way, a fellow named Rabinow invented the Rabco tonearm(s). He lived here in the Washington, DC, area, I think, and was a friend also of Herb Papier, who designed and hand-built the Triplanar. The Rabco tonearm was just a sideline for Mr. Rabinow, as I recall. I guess Dave Shreve improved the Rabco breed; I seem to remember when that happened, after Mr. Rabinow either passed away or just lost interest in the product. Successful audio designers seem to have a lot in common with other successful entrepreneurs; they are first of all smart/creative/insightful, but they also have the perseverance (and in some cases the cash) necessary to bring a product to market.

Mark,

We see things that seem so elaborate, but it's the ones that appear to be so straightforward that appeal to me. It is like they are more honest. I suppose it is that aspect that defines us as audiophiles, and draws us to certain audio equipment designs, and even to certain music.

In a curious sort of way, it also biases us to a point that we fail to consider some of the alternatives out there. Maybe audio is less free thinking that we are willing to admit, but still, I try my best to find the silver lining in both the visions of others, and in various sorts of music.

Don't mind me, I'm willing to accept Pro Tools produced recordings and drum machines, if the artist is honest enough to present the work for what it is without apologizing for what it is not. All we can hope for in the end is a musical experience that is genuine, and one we can relate to. The best case is the best presentation of that performance inside our house. That sounds easy, right? Some would have us think so, but I'm not so sure.