..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................
..._.............................

Apparently this thread in the private forum can be viewed on the front page even when logged out....

So most of you know I was IP banned on HC after my 3rd temp ban for breaking no rules, just because they didn't like me. The moderator there even banned me on HF in spite, but was reversed, then he banned me again and was reversed.

I seem to have this odd knack for being absolutely polite while making enemies of forum leaders without my knowledge and in keeping with tradition, I present to you the next chapter.

I was in search of information on this Bryston BHA-1 headphone amp and came across this site www.audioaficionado.org where there is a Bryston rep in residence. I needed to ask a few questions so I signed up. Your first 10 posts are moderated (about 12 hour delay in this case), unless of course you paid for a subscription AND donated to the site ($25 + 20 or more) then you were able to post and have a profile, pm, etc without restriction. So I'm waiting around for my post to be put up, then waiting for the Bryston rep to answer, I come across a thread about Schiit's Bifrost and someone at the end (page 3 I believe) was talking about their impressive tech for the $, so I posted this, regarding the new stuff that had just come out (no mention of it anywhere else on their forums):

Schiit just released information on their next DAC (and headphone amp) a balanced affair called the Gungnir (Odin's spear), due August 2012.

$750 ($850 with USB)

I love my Bifrost, but I'm anxious to move up the ladder. I signed up for their interest list, position #10 so I should be in the first batch. Also getting the amp for my HD800 and Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors.

The amp, Mjolnir (Thor's hammer), is a curious design. Based on Circlotron topology, it's a fully balanced amplifier with very low output impedance (less than 1.5 ohm) and impressive power supply design. It also functions as a pre-amp. Due out July 2012.

$750

Last edited by admin; 03-30-2012 at 11:06 PM. Reason: Sorry, no active links to non sponsors that sell direct.

With links to the pages for each item on Schiit's site. These links were removed in the moderation process as you can see. There is no rule that says you can't link to non-sponsors that sell direct. For reference here are the forum's rules, yes this is all of them:

● Unless you’re a sponsor do not add your website/business name to your profile.
● Unless you’re a sponsor do not promote your business or someone else’s business (i.e. audio dealer,etc).This includes posting threads,private messages, and emails.
● Please do not post links to other forums.
● Being a subscriber/aficionado isn't the same as being a sponsor. You still must follow above rules.
● If you’re a subscriber/aficionado only post your for sale gear in the Buy/Sell Marketplace. Don’t edit your profile/signature to show gear for sale or wanting to buy.

So I shook it off as odd, but fine.

Then here comes someone asking about headphones (their headphone forum has very little traffic and only 1-2 people seem to know anything) so I decided to help him out since he was asking about headphones I had heard, the HD580 and SR325. He was saying how great reviews had been he'd seen for the SR325 and that it must be an upgrade from the HD580 that had just died on him. I knew that to be dangerous since Grados are wildly different from the HD580, I wanted this guy to know how much of a change he was in store for, but didn't say the 325s were bad, just that they were different. I also said if he wanted to sample any other cans, to let us (the forum) know and we'd suggest other alternatives. Here is the post in it's entirety as I posted it:

If you loved your HD580, you can find another pair used or the HD600 new, but I'd look for used there as well since they normally go for $200-250 instead of $400 new. HD650 is a slightly more bassy option. New is $500, but regularly sells used around $300.

The SR-325 will be completely different than the HD580. Much more forward with peaks in the bass and treble unlike the fairly flat responding HD580/600/650 (with some natural sounding treble roll off). If you are looking to sample something different let us know.

-Graph of 600/650 and graph of 325from Innerfidelity (cropped screen shot, not a link)-

I received an infraction and my post was edited to remove the line: 'If you are looking to sample something different let us know.' Since by that line I was obviously (to the admin) a dealer of headphones and I had gone against the rules. Infractions are permanent and when you get to 10 points (mine was 1 point) you are permanently banned.

As I'm unable to use PMs or have any sort of communication on this forum, I chose to contact the administration by web-form since I was really confused as to what was happening with my links being removed and my posts edited and being given infractions when just trying to help. Here is my web form entry:

>Greetings,
>
> I'm getting really confused about this forum. I read all of the FAQ
> and rules yet one of my posts was edited to remove links that were
> not
> against the rules (that I could find). My latest post was not posted
> at all and I was given an infraction when all it contained was a
> comparison between the headphones the owner was considering, a couple
> graphs, and a question for the OP if he decided to look at other
> headphones, I could give him suggestions based on his feedback.
>
> Clarify please? I've been very impressed with how helpful this forum
> is, but when I try to help, I'm given infractions and edits?
>
> Thanks.

and his reply:

>Hello,
>You're not following the rules. In multiple posts, I've personally
>seen, you put links to other forums( i.e. audigon's forum,etc). This is
>not allowed and would normally result in a permanent ban. Unless a site
>or forum is a sponsor you can not link to it. It's that simple and is a
>matter not up for discussion. If you continue to post links to other
>sites you will be banned. Your other post was edited by me personally.
>You used the words "If you are looking to sample something different let
>us know". This implies you're a dealer or distributor. Without being a
>sponsor you can not write a line like that. If any of the above action
>continues it will result in a permanent ban. Please review the following
>rules.
>
>● Unless you’re a sponsor do not add your website/business name to
>your profile.
>● Unless you’re a sponsor do not promote your business or someone
>else’s business (i.e. audio dealer,etc).This includes posting
>threads,private messages, and emails.
>● Please do not post links to other forums.
>● Being a subscriber/aficionado isn't the same as being a sponsor. You
>still must follow above rules.
>● If you’re a subscriber/aficionado only post your for sale gear in
>the Buy/Sell Marketplace. Don’t edit your profile/signature to show gear
>for sale or wanting to buy.
>
>
>Thank you,
>Admin

So apparently I've posted a link to Audiogon, where I have no account for the forums and never browse there because their forums are archaic to be polite. I also saw in the rules that forum links are not allowed, so I didn't link any other forums. I had no reason to do so anyways as my comments had nothing to do with other forums.

At this point I'm feeling extra scrutiny because I didn't pay instantly to be a regular member. Apparently your posts are heavily moderated and infractions given if you even breathe at the wrong time if you haven't paid your dues to Mr. Admin, who has two houses both very large and expensive, and entire theater rooms in both houses that I will never make enough money to pay for in my entire life (ok slightly sarcastic, but it's a lot).

So here's my reply:

Admin,

I'd like to see this Audiogon link. I don't browse there or even have an account for their forums. I don't recall linking any other forums, for that matter, since that is explicitly stated in the rules.

As for the words, it's a matter of interpretation. I used 'sample' as in 'looking at other headphones' and 'let us know' as in 'tell the people in the thread'. If I was given the ability to have a profile, you'd see I'm not in the audio business at all, but rather am a violin maker with no stake in which audio companies gain and which lose.

As for the links I can see how that could be interpreted as promoting someone else's business, but isn't any thread that talks about any piece of gear promoting someone else's business? I merely linked it so I wouldn't have to copy/paste all the technical information. I'm fine with them being removed, I just didn't interpret that rule in such a way. I'll avoid it in the future.

I arrived looking for information, was well greeted, and wanted to return the kindness by helping where I could and was having a good time, but this assuming every account is a company is feeling oppressive. I can't help feeling put under a microscope because I didn't opt to pay for a subscription or donate right out of the box in order to gain normal posting privileges like most people seem to do. It's nothing personal, I just don't know anyone here or how long I'll be interested in the site so I'm not going to invest yet. I have certainly done this on other forums when I grew to know them and made them my home, but I would never do it right away.

Regards,

Chris

And that's where we stand presently. I know you are all in suspense as to what will happen next (instantly banned right? right?) so I will keep you up to date.

What is it about me that people don't like? That I'm genuinely interested in the gear and the interaction of people relating to this gear? That I couldn't care less what some headphone god says if it doesn't match my own impressions? That I'm positive about a hobby with so many doom and gloom about? That I talk about gear I like and promote it because I believe in it?

Strange world...