Where have the long-time regulars gone?

That one's easy... everyone who has ever been a serious audiophile is still around and just as addicted as ever, just maybe on a less active, voyeuristic level. It's not an addiction that you ever become completely indifferent about. So the short answer specifically regarding the 'whereabouts' of the likes of cornfedboy, Albertporter, trelja, tireguy, et. al., is that they (like me) may now, and from time to time over the last couple of years, are able to sedate their addiction with just 'quick hits' of their several fave audio sites and then return focus to life's more necessary concerns, which in reality puts this materialistic hobby into 'real' perspective. Lack of jobs, family stress, IRA/sucurity shrinkage (or vaporization), etc. that has really waylayed a HELL of a lot of people for the last couple of years. It may not be noticeable to those that are unaffected, but the brass knuckles economic crisis has, for many folks, made the fight for basic survival a full time focus. Did for me. Went from $150K/year to unemployed for 9 months. IRA from $500K to $5K. You get the point. During that time, I still visited audiogon, the asylum, stereotimes, soundstage, etc., just maybe only 5 days a week vs. 7, and for a total of 20 mins/day instead of 2 hours. And I haven't bought anything for over a year - partly cuz I'm finally happy with my system, partly cuz I was flat busted. Anyway, I'll stop there - point is, once an addict, always an addict, it's just maybe not as consuming as it can be when you have fewer concerns. Just one early 40's father of 4, corporate guys experience/opine/answer. Like all else said here, worth -0- or something; take it like you want..

Johnnybravo out.

Audiogon will stay as the premier high end trading outlet, but the forums will just keep deteriorating.

Answer: censorship--I mean, "moderator approval".

Just look at an uncensored forum like Harmonic Discord and compare it to this...

That's the thing about freedom: Taking the good with the bad. The owners of this site decided freedom was "Too risky" and turned it off (censorship). The fire burned bright for awhile (remember the 60's?) but, as usual, the restraints of reality set in and turn every thing to oatmeal (with no sugar). At least Agon is a decent bulletin board. So sit up straight, do your homework and wait for the next "cool thing" to come along.

Maybe if Carl came back, he would spark more interest. I personally couldn't wait to read what Carl's next thread or post would be. Carl sparked good interest. He was a didicated audiophile. What does everyone say,,, lets ask Carl to come back? What about Sean and remember RedKiwi? How bout POPS? Lot of good people missing. I think many just glance thru and find not much more to grab their interest. Someone mentioned, how many times we going to do Tubes vs SS etc etc.. Time marches on and so do people. It's still a great site,,, Happy New Year everyone and A'gon,,, Merry Christmas,,,,, lets get Carl back. Anyone else agree,,, Carl liked you Cornfeed... You guys got along good,,, it was fun... The ol days... It's going on 5yrs I since I first found A'gon.. It didn't even have a dicussion area then if I remember right.. Just classifieds.. AudioReview was big time back then.. Wow,, did they drop back.. Times changes. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. mike

Hi Scott et al
Still here too, although primarily lurking lately - once in awhile you'll hear from me although burnout (& combination of other factors as mentioned above) has slowed me down such that I still have the desire to participate at a slower pace. I've even finally caught up with Kelly (we both have >1000 posts) but too much of this can get to you after awhile, so for sanity's sake (a sane audiofool - oxymoron statement!) you just have to kick back sometimes.
Many topics have been over-reviewed & many people regretably just don't bother to check the archives or use the forum search engine. Not that I've seen it all, nor do I claim to know it all, hardly! And it is nice to be missed so thank you for the compliment.
One thing that really bugs me, & I'll get this off my chest right now, is the continual nay-saying by those with nothing but opinions & no experience to back up their 'knowledge' yet they unfortunately continue to misinform & misguide the newbies. Some newcomer posts a legitimate question, gets some good answers, then those know-it-all clowns come on here saying "that's bullshit - prove it to me", "that will never work", arguing on & on adnauseum with nothing useful to contribute. One gets really tired of refuting their disbelief after awhile, not that I care what they think (their rigs obviously suffering from their ignorance) but that the poor soul who doesn't really know the truth from lack of their own experience becomes hopelessly confused & gives up too soon. The naysayers do a real dis-service to the hobby by endlessly promoting their ignorance & that really gets my goat.
I advise according to what I've heard on my own & learned firsthand from my own experiences. I may say "this tweak worked for me, that didn't, but the other guy over there had a different experience altogether". or "I loved this product, couldn't stand that one, but that guy over there loved it anyway". I try to see both sides, realizing that synergies are never the same from rig-to-rig, and stating my own experiences yet acknowleding that *there are NO absolutes in this hobby!* Simply keeping an open mind has served me so well here, & has taught me that many of my preconceptions were so far from reality as to be laughable, my electronics degree aside.
I too am about finished with my rig for now, but I'm still here to learn, to share, to grow, to fellowship, to promote that which is perceived to be a shrinking hobby which I truly love. I hope to see/hear audio flourishing, & being enjoyed by everyone well beyond my time on this planet. And that is truly a part of my motivation for still being here after all these years.