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An Off Topic Question Re Off Topic Questions

When pondering a question, I try to remember to scan and research old threads and posts on Audiogon first.

Reviewing old threads, I am often reminded what a wonderful community of experts Audiogon has been since I first participated circa 2000.

In particular, I appreciate how many of you are wise, witty, intelligent and very generous with your time and expertise - particularly those of you who are not professionals, and those professionals who give disclaimers and/or do not relentlessly promote their own products.

Knowing that very smart, enthusiastic people are as close as the keyboard has inspired many of you to ask off topic questions, albeit usually cloaked in a cheeky audiophile context:

What do audiophiles drive? What kind of watch do audiophiles wear? Best drink, best bike to ride etc, before a good listening session?

Perhaps this is the best way to proceed, and we can all not so cleverly camouflage our questions within an audio topic and hope the moderators accept them.

However, I for one, would greatly appreciate being able to come to Audiogon, knowing our smart enthusiastic community would most likely come up with some good advice.

It would be nice knowing the moderators wouldn't mind, and without rephrasing questions in the style of:

Which Subzero refrigerator best preserves snacks and drinks to later enjoy during a Blu Ray home theatre demo? Which cardiologist in the New York area might maximize my life span to ensure listening sessions until the age of 100? Which new sports car has the best handling and 0-60 times, even if the trunk is not big enough for any audio equipment? Which lightweight winter parka best alleviates the need to curl up next to my tube amps after being outside in sub zero weather?

I trust you get my point.

Could OFF TOPIC be added to Audiogon as a subset of the Forums, as its own category alongside SPEAKERS, MUSIC, TECH TALK, MISC AUDIO etc?

Would anyone else use and enjoy OFF TOPIC?

Cheers,
cwlondon
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
An urgent appeal to the audiogon community, please:

Unfortunately I am writing to inquire about the best furnace to heat your listening room, without depositing soot all over your house and audio components.

On a cold day in NY, I have just been informed that a) the "heat exchanger" in our furnace must be broken which is why b) our ducts have spewed soot all over the house this morning and why therefore c) I need a new furnace.

They have offered to install either a "Hallmark or an Armstrong", have not yet specified the model but have quoted $4875.00 installed. Googling around, I have yet to see furnace for much over $1000 so I am little confused.

If anyone has any experience with these things, I would greatly appreciate it.

Unfortunately, we live in a landmarked community where it is not easy to get or install propane tanks, but perhaps with the appropriate permission that might also be a consideration?
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
I assume you're talking about an oil burner here and I haven't had to deal with those for decades, gratefully. Going rate for a simple natural gas furnace replacement around here is $2500 Canadian ($2000 US). I'm sure there must be many complications and conversions involved in that quote.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
ngjockey, thanks

Yes, an oil burning furnace, but not so sure there are any other complications beyond a distressed homeowner and NY area prices.

I am also looking into a gas replacement, but there may be issues in our area with that as most people seem to burn oil.

If I am stuck with a new oil furnace, was just wondering how out of line $5K might be....

Thank you,
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
If that's an installed price, its not too bad, IMO, esp. if it includes disposal. However, first you might want to get another opinion on whether its just a clogged nozzle or poorly adjusted burner. How old is the burner?
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Oil burners are more expensive. I did a quick google and saw prices between $1200 and $2500, depending on BTU and quality. You don't want to buy a cheap oil burner, it's a tough fuel to burn properly. They even have hi-eff, condensing oil burners but that looks like trouble to me. Add markup, $1000 to $1500 labour, taxes, warranty, duct and chimney cleaning ...

As far as converting, a propane furnace is much cleaner and less maintenance. Propane furnaces are usually much cheaper, offsetting part of the cost of conversion. It's getting harder to find technicians with any experience with oil. Oil is less expensive per BTU with current fuel costs but that savings gets eaten up by yearly service.
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