...of what will most likely be the end...

I'm not from a musical family, the only things my parents could play were the radio and the "Victrola"...I have been exposed to music, however, for as long as I can remember.

From 78s to digital dizziness, I've purty much heard it all...played on everything from that old portable Victrola to some of today's SOTA gear...got involved in the early 60s with classical music played on Garrard and Criterion(LRE) equipment...learned to work the guitar, started a band and made some bucks at a semi-pro level...still play for my own amusement...got into live recording work and did that for a bit, so I'm fairly aware of what live music sounds like and how the recording process affects what you ultimately hear. I'm one of those who tends to investigate and immerse myself in all aspects my interests.

Over the years, I have found that the graphic equalizer can be a most invaluable tool on many levels. It reveals a myriad of things for anyone who really cares to listen to it and can poke holes in many beliefs. I've tinkered and tweaked, but for the most part I have listened to the music, not the gear. Regulars know I can enjoy a good performance on anything from my old GE portable with the 3in. speaker to my reference system which(in the same spirit as Mtry) is superflous to and consequently has no bearing whatsoever on anything I may present here.

Quite some time ago, I happened on this site trying to find out what had happened to "Audio" magazine, the offspring of "Audio Engineering" itself a successor to "Radio".

I recalled when I discontinued my "quest for the grail" and it's constant "upgrade-itis", wires were becoming the "next big thing"...handed me a laff then, as it still does this very minute. So the first forum I visited was...you guessed it..."Cables" .Lurked a bit, signed up and let fly...I was descended upon like vultures on a carcass, maggots on a meat-pie...oh, the fun we had...met like-minded individuals and in solitary concert more than held our own against the myth-makers and purveyors of psuedo-science led by none other than (insert name here)...

While I can read schematics fluently and am comfortably experienced with test gear and soldering irons, I realized I could never compete on a technical level; while a related field, my "real" job is not audio design or fabrication. My approach has been one of reason and simple common sense, based on my experience and investigation into the real facts that seem to would seem to support(but in fact moreoften, undermine) the "factoids" presented...My mission has been to present that gleaned information in an entertaining and oftimes sarcastic manner...I give what I've gotten, no more no less...

But enough history...relegating the mention of ABX, DBT and the like to it's own "special" place, is certainly not in keeping with the history of this site...and for the record, blathering on about specs is bushleague...something newbies do when they learn the jargon and think they know it all, trying to impress the easily impressed.

DBTs et al, are rarely, if ever, the subject of posts, yet have become the sore point with some members.

Most begin with a simple question which may result in simple answers from all...say like "Is it a good idea to take my amp into the tub?" Others seem just as simple on the face of things, but become more complex as answers based on manufacturer preference, individual experience and other subjective elements are added to the mix...none of which really apply, because what works for you, in your environment, with your "source material"(a holdover from MY newbie days) and at your volume levels, means one blessed thing to the posters situation. It is all anecdotal...subjective...and subject to biases.

And that's where the trouble begins...

jimHJJ(...to be continued as time permits...and if I'm allowed to...just noticed another PM...oh, goody...)