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  3. 168015-1635

Lay Off the Newbies!

I always try to keep my posts constructive, but there is something that regularly goes on here that I think is detrimental to our hobby - A newbie has a simple question and a bunch of neurotic geezers (of which I include myself) jump on the guy with a million rules and rituals he must follow to achieve his goal, which ends up discouraging the guy right out of hobby. There was one analog thread on static where I recommended Gruv Glide and you geezers started in with so much BS- humidifiers, move to another climate, expensive gimmicks, etc, that GG would kill him and his records.  The end result? By the end of the thread, he sold his analog rig because he couldn't deal with the stress.  In a recent digital thread, you guys are recommending a newbie buy 20 year old transports.  All this does is just make newbies so stressed out that you'll drive them to MP3s.  Newbies need simple answers, commensurate with their experience level.  Buy a Rega table, screw in a Rega cartridge and play records.  They have plenty of time to turn into us.  Somehow we survived, listening to our Sansui receivers and JBL L-100s in bedrooms thick with pot smoke and spilled Boone's Farm.  And we made it.  Sometimes I'm amazed as well.  Let the young have fun while they can. Be well.  
chayro
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rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 
Answering the door naked..

Reminds me of an advertisement for DARE coffee flavoured milk in Australia. The daughter arrives on the back of a Harley with a big burly biker, and the daughter thinks she's got away with bringing home someone her dad would disapprove of. The dad looks out the window, swigs down some Dare coffee milk, and answers the door completely starkers..

The cut shows the biker riding off alone and the daughter none too impressed.

Just don't feed the chickens naked, just saying.
realworldaudio
174 posts
 
Fully agreed, we need to practice common sense and look at who is asking instead of just giving a canned answer.  ;
ross6860's avatar
ross6860
103 posts
 
I rarely post here, but do read a bit.  I'm active on another audio forum.

I'm not a newbie, but I also don't have tens of thousands of dollars tied up in audio gear.  I actually have other hobbies that take up my time, interest, and disposable income.

There is definitely a condescending tone from some members  if you aren't "in the club" or don't have expensive gear.

I did say some, not all members. 

Best way to kill a hobby is to discourage people from entering it.

FWIW, guitar and bass forums are far worse...




sokogear
1,100 posts
 
Why do you like Rega cartridges?Just because they fit easily?

I am a Rega fan, and appreciate its simplicity, quality and fantastic value, gimbal arms, etc. but would not use their cartridges. If someone posing a question is buying or has bought a table from a dealer, no doubt any reputable Rega dealer has plenty of options for other cartridges that will work fine. They know how to install them and add a spacer if needed, set the tracking force and anti-skating, and should include that in the price. 

I have read plenty of really insane stuff being bloated here, but the Rega cartridge arguement is not part of that group. I assume the OP since he is a newbie would buy a cartridge new from a local dealer who can help them, not used off of a web site to be left on their own, with a product that IMHO really should not be purchased used.
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