CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Main Deck => Discussion for Registered Members Only => Topic started by: Marvey on March 31, 2015, 07:06:02 PM
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In two weeks, I will no longer be commenting on the sound of amplifiers. I will be entering the audio industry and working for a manufacturer of amplifiers. (More information later.) I have had enough of large corporations, the politics, the skullfucking, the pettyness, the manuevering of officers to justify their departments and jobs.
It's going to be scary. I'll be cutting back on eating out and probably feeding my kids ramen noodles for a while. But I am extremely extremely happy. Having worked as an officer of a small company before, I know exactly what to expect. There will be a lot of headaches and long hours, but at least I won't be shoveling someone else's shit. Maybe I will blog a series of articles on how not to be a douchebag manager, or the ridiculousness of large corporations.
As for headphones, I will continue to measure them; but probably not comment on their sound unless it's in a positive light. I can see that in short order, I will completely cease to measure or comment on headphones, at least publicly. I will reveal my measurement rig and talk about techniques. It is my wish that many of you will continue on in my absence.
I'll continue talk about DACs though, although it's very likely I will not talk about stuff I don't like. You probably won't hear me say anything is craptastic anymore. I actually mapped out all the DACs I have heard in sort of a two dimensional graph a la Gartner. I will post this within four weeks.
On HF, I won't talk about anything anymore. I know you HF moderators are reading this. I will contact you in two weeks when my MOT status officially begins.
P.S. Please remind me if I forget about my own rules. When something sounds craptastic, I have a hard time not to scream. Old habits are hard to break.
Also, someone or a group of people need to take over as Captain of this site. We'll need to talk about this. I still want to control ownership of the domain name so no one person will hijack changstar.com and use it for commercial purposes. But then again, I may change my mind. HF needs some competition. Maybe we should implement a governing board.
Lots of concerns... but things work themselves out. They always do. Change is the only constant in life.
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You lost your hearing, didn't you?
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Congrats. :)p1
Will follow those new adventures popcorn
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Congrats on the (positive) change! Happiness in your job is certainly more important than money (says the teacher).
Will miss your brutally honest opinions, though I suppose silence often speaks louder than words.
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So ... The king is dead, long live the king ? But seriously, godspeed Marv.
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I want to feel happy for you, but I just feel like we're losing a huge part of what makes Changstar special.
Either way, may your sails catch wind and take you where you want to go. You'll always have the support of yer crew.
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Hey the attitude is to go in with the prospect of making less money and maybe taking on some more risk, but given the love he has for audio I am sure he will do fine. The truth is that if you are hardworking and capable (smart!), once you go into business for yourself you can make a lot of money (a lot, like millions a year), for some reason that idea has been forgotten in today's America.
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I kind of like the idea of a Board for governance. Maybe a non-profit entity comprised 50% of hobbyists and 50% of MOTs with membership per votes. I'm more pragmatic than idealist. Obviously there would be changes to the flavor of the site if this happened.
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I kind of like the idea of a Board for governance. Maybe a non-profit entity comprised 50% of hobbyists and 50% of MOTs with membership per votes. I'm more pragmatic than idealist. Obviously there would be changes to the flavor of the site if this happened.
For Changstar or for your business ?
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"Only the true messiah denies His divinity." headbang
Congrats!
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Does this mean Changstar gets a +1 button for extra circle jerk?
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I want to feel happy for you, but I just feel like we're losing a huge part of what makes Changstar special.
It's the REAL community here that counts - how we mess with each other, share gear with absolute trust, etc. I'll still be around but I will miss entertaining you guys. Because at the end of the day, that's what it was.
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For Changstar or for your business ?
Changstar. But as Yoda says: Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.
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Does this mean Changstar gets a +1 button for extra circle jerk?
That's up to you guys. I would hope we can continue the tradition of being able to strongly disagree or voice dissenting viewpoints without people getting their panties in a bunch.
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:money:
Nice to know a decision has been made. Whatever the end result is, you have my brotherly love and best wishes Marv. I really do hope this leads to a much more peaceful and happy life. :)p2
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Congrats on the decision, Marv! I hope the life shift works out well for you and that it leaves you satisfied and fulfilled in the end. The industry could use more people like you in it. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for the site before, during, or after all this. Always happy to help and contribute as much as I can. (And in regards to measurement systems, I would like to have a couple setups, one not using an in-ear mic. Would love to continue on there for you if you end up sharing your info.)
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Congrats and best of luck to you in your new endeavor!
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Congratulations and welcome to the insanity!
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Congratulations, buddy. I am really really excited for you!
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Does this mean I can start campaigning your new company to make iems?
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Congrats Marv! I like the idea of a board too - shares the load, keeps balance.
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LOL http://www.head-fi.org/t/693798/thoughts-on-a-bunch-of-dacs-and-why-i-hate-chocolate-ice-cream/3465#post_11463415
Sooooooo politically correct.... the transformation is already done :gross: :)p13 :)p13 :)p13
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I can't stop laughing.. it looks someone Stole your HF account . :)p13
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Congrats Marv :)p1
Yeah, your post on HF is a bit...strangely soft p;)
Ali
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http://www.head-fi.org/t/693798/thoughts-on-a-bunch-of-dacs-and-why-i-hate-chocolate-ice-cream/3465#post_11463497
I pissed my pants... it seems I'm not alone to find you answer.. ahum.. strange. :)p13 :)p13 :)p13 :)p13
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Well, at least I can still entertain.
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Congratulations and welcome to the insanity!
+1 to the above and Best of Luck to you Man!
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Congratulations Purr1n! I wish you the best fortune in your endeavors.
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Interesting times! Best of wishes and hope things always work out for the best Marv!
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:-\
I sure will miss your numerous, informative and entertaining gear measurements / reviews, but I'm looking forward to see - and hear - what you'll come up with in the future. I'm sure you will continue to serve our hobby just as well from the "other side". <- That's it for the selfish consumer talk. What matters in the end is that you're happy with that decision - which must have required some serious reflection and a good deal of courage!
Hats off to you and best of luck on your new endeavors Capt'n :)p1
Now, the "soft Marvey" will definitely take some getting used to... :)p8
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Audio's a really exciting industry to be in right now with all of the happenings, I'll be expecting really cool stuff from your company! :)
Best of luck with all of the craziness to come.
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Ey sir, good luck :)p5
Will be looking forward to some nice amp (and cheap too, please! 8)) from your company.
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Grats Marv! I've always enjoyed your posts and your advice on things. I hope things work out well for you and can't wait to see what you have in store in the future.
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Loved your description of large corps Marv. headbang. Good luck with the new adventure, and thanks for all the advise, answering dumb ass questions, and especially all the laughs. :)p13 . Good time of life to make a change. Glad you are happy. Life is too short to have to get up everyday and go do something or work with some people you can't stand. :)p7
Hope you will still attend meets.
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Maybe I will blog a series of articles on how not to be a douchebag manager, or the ridiculousness of large corporations.
Actually, just jumping back on here to say: I would absolutely look forward to that!
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Congrats, Marv!
Doing what you love is what it's all about. I am sure you will do really well.
I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me and this community. Much appreciated!
Can't wait to see what you're up to next. I think your contribution to the "other side" of the industry will be just as great.
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Actually, just jumping back on here to say: I would absolutely look forward to that!
Thanks Jason. Your blog was definitely an inspiration. Made me truly realize two things: 1) We will all die; 2) We are lucky to be in this country. Even if I fail, my family will still be better off than those people who are suffering in the middle-east.
Thanks to everyone else for making this a lot of fun. Remember - I'm still not prevented from doing crazy stuff like dissecting $1500 headphones.
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Thanks Jason. Your blog was definitely an inspiration. Made me truly realize two things: 1) We will all die; 2) We are lucky to be in this country. Even if I fail, my family will still be better off than those people who are suffering in the middle-east.
Thanks to everyone else for making this a lot of fun. Remember - I'm still not prevented from doing crazy stuff like dissecting $1500 headphones.
LOL, thanks for the kind words. I said "if anyone buys something after reading this book and realizing how incompetent we are, it's a minor miracle." Now I have to add, "If you throw away a secure corporate job and chase your dreams, it's an even bigger miracle!"
Actually, I think it's telling how many people can't stand the corporate grind/politics/ass-kissing/double-speak/saccharine-marketing-masking-real-capability-or-disability. It's time for a break from that--and it's only going to come from people who are willing to take a chance, whether it's on the personal side, on the company-building side, or internal to the companies. Everyone knows that when AT&T says, "Thank you, you're a valued customer," it means absolutely nothing. Less than nothing. It's a bald-faced insult, nothing more or less. Everyone knows that when a big audio company says, "This is amazing, transformative, one and only, the best of the best," it only means their marketing dudes had to go to thesaurus.com for a few minutes.
It's real people doing schiit they believe in, and telling the real story, warts and all, that matters--period, full stop, end game, done.
My opinion, of course. But then again, at Centric, we can have a glass of wine or two relatively early in the day. One of the benefits of being a small company.
My best wishes for your company, Marv! (And don't become too polite--consider what Mike gets away with...)
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Marv - As a relative newcomer to the hobby/madness, your contributions have been enlightening, entertaining and have saved me a lot of hard earned money. I wish you the very best in your new undertaking. :)p5
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Great take on the state of things Jason. This attitude has also infected pubic organizations, like education. "We appreciate your dedication to students and your hard work and professionalism" straight out bullshit from some Administrative text. Seems school boards are hiring from the corporate world to mis-manage the school system. Same stuff, brown nosing, back stabbing, CYA, lying, doing schiit to justify your job etc. is now the rule. Major reason I got out and stayed out of management.
Thanks for saying like it is. And AT&T does think I am a valued customer. They tell me every time they increase their prices! :)p13
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Wishing you success, happiness and spiritual satisfaction :)p1
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Going from college to the corporate culture was almost shocking to me...I thought I had left high school-level BS, or worse, behind, but I guess not. On the upside, I don't mind the BS too much (yet) and am navigating fine for now, I really like most of my coworkers and my manager, and the line of work is something I'm actually passionate about. It's frustrating at times, and I'm working my ass off to secure positions that give me potential power to try to change things, but I'm happy at the end of the day regardless. I wouldn't hesitate myself and would encourage others to seek out other things in life if they feel they aren't where they need to be. (So, really just another good on you, Marv, for taking those steps.)
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Just saw this Marv. All the best in your new venture.
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All the best Marv! Audio is not such a bad way to make a living, hoping to see your Lambo with pirate flags soon :)p13
You should take up reviewing as a side project under an alias ;) You were one of the few reviewers I read and trusted due to the rare combo of common sense, technical expertise, gear experience, and honesty.
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I can not wait to try out the Amazeballs Audio "Plankton Generator" amp.
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I can not wait to try out the Amazeballs Audio "Plankton Generator" amp.
marv
you know you're reading this
at least one of these words have to make it into a product name
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I just hope "sand" isn't one of the ingredients.
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Love what you do and do what you love.
Few are 'brave' enough to follow their passions.
Good onya! :)p7
JJ
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All the best Marvin ahoy
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Congratulations!!! wow, huge news, best of luck in your new ventures!
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All the best Marv!
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ARRRRGGGHHH...Walk the Plank(ton). headbang
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Best of luck Marv! Thanks for all your contribution to this community. You will be missed!
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Glad to see I'm not alone to be bored with large companies and overall waffle and corp-speak. Seems it's not only a french phenomenon;
I did try to create my own business too. two times in the three last years. unfortunately , for different reasons , I couldn't . the most important one is that my wife has his own business as architect and the last year was awful so I had to cover all family needs with my sole revenue. But the game is not over.
I wish you the best Mar'. :money:
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Sounds exciting Marv, best of luck in this new chapter. I'll keep an eye out for whatever you cook up.
Regarding CS, it's always seemed pretty democratic to me so I think the ship will run smoothly still. I've seen your measurement rig in person, so it'll be interesting to hear some of the details about it. Hopefully nobody copies it and takes credit later down the line ;)
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:)p7 Congratulations!!! Not all can do that.
But on other hand you going to have a lot of censorship on what you say and talk all that political poo
(http://cdn18.theglobalherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/captain-pirate.jpg)
We going to miss Captain Plankton
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As someone who has recently transitioned from writing about audio to writing for audio... Hats off! Just wait for that moment when you'll start to think that it's easier to sell genuine improvements via 6moonspeak, because no one understands or cares for techspeak. That's when the real test comes!
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ARRRRGGGHHH...Walk the Plank(ton). headbang
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ9r8LMU9bQ
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Good luck, Marv. Now, off with you, to the slimy merchant marine! walk the plank
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You're going to work at Chord, aren't you?
I knew it.
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Follow your heart!
My best wishes for this exciting new adventure Marv.
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Small companies can have idiots and bad managers too, although that horrible corporate-bullshit culture, hopefully is less.
The lack of that monstrosity called a Human Resources department helps. Once upon a time, there were people who looked after payroll and pensions, holidays and maternity leave, and the paperwork side of employment. They did not have power. Then some of them started to wheedle their way into a situation where they did have power and bang! Human Resources was born. The it became a magnet for all the political, manipulative types who couldn't manage a job where they had to do anything useful.
Somehow I was lucky: I managed to avoid the big corporate thing, and even when I worked, for ten years, for one of the world's biggest insurance companies, it was in a small branch where the few people (my boss was one) who talked management-marketing-speak just got laughed at. It was good. Until the takeover.
But even that... redundancy gave me a new life... no complaints!
Marv, good luck with the new job. Even if you are not able to be quite so forthright in the future, your tell-it-the-way-it-is writing is not going to disappear (whether you like it or not ;) ) It is quite a monument, alongside the other founder members of changstar. Hmmm... monument?
Maybe like the Christmas Island statues :)p13 :)p7 ahoy
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You're going to work at Chord, aren't you?
I knew it.
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Ahhh... so the next name change will be to Hugo, right?
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Good luck marvey! Hopefully you'll still have time to post stuff about headphones and CIEMs. And hopefully you'll still contribute to the bourbon thread.
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April Fools' Day facepalm
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facepalm :-DD :)p4
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(http://replygif.net/i/272.gif)
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socially conscious response: hooray! congrats marv! thanks for all the memorable, blunt, thoughtful, expletive-laden, honest, helpful commentary and discussion! thanks for unmaking head-fi in a way that made this hobby fun again! best luck! keep breaking shit and telling us about it!
on the inside: awww, goddamnit.
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Dang I'm late on seeing this thread!
I hope things work out the best for you Marv!
As for this community, I hope it never changes. This forum is pretty special.
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good luck Marv, hope everything goes well.
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I'm sure you'll do well at the new job. Continued success!
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Congrats Marv!
Life's too short to suffer the corporate bullshit, good on ya!
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Good luck Marv and may the Force be with you ! :D
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Thanks guys.
I got escorted to HR and thrown out of the building yesterday. I was already prepared so I sorta faked putting stuff into boxes so I could buy time to say goodbye to a few co-workers. Half of my co-workers were conveniently out yesterday. No one in management even spoke to me, not even a "sorry things didn't work out". Haha, they just wanted to skull-fuck me one last time and make it seem like they were firing me. The only I regret I have now is not saying "fuck you, I quit", like what Craig Uthus did at Harmon when he at almost exactly my age. I really can't complain though. They gave me two weeks pay and my remaining vacation.
So officially today, I start as marketing, operations, research and development, solder monkey, customer service, and janitor at Eddie Current. Oh so much to do. Will be fun taking corporate processes and actually making them work! Processes at large corporations are not bad, just that most corporations are too rigid with management who lack the creativity and nuanced understanding of them to make them work.
It's a good day.
P.S.
This was not planned. I know I brought the custom 2A3 to CanJam. Let's say shit at the office started rather unexpectedly at the office this Monday and I snapped. I made a flurry of phone calls which included my old place of work. I'll also be doing a little bit of the ethical hacking thing on the side.
Not an April Fool's joke.
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:boom: :wheel: headbang . Thank goodness this is not an April Fool's Day prank.
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Awesome Marv - I'm happy for you. It's a good thing to step into anything you love.
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That's great news Marv. Craig seems like a great person to work with. Best of luck.
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Getting paid for your hobby is as good as it gets, good on you marv!
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So is EC a two-man show now? Or did he already have other people working for him?
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Marv - congrats on moving on to doing something you have a passion for. Sorry your old employer were such jerks and acted like such asses on the way out, but as I often like to say "People suck; they just do", and this is true to the nth degree for corporations. I have only been here a short time and am mostly a lurker, but have learned so much from your posts (as well as those of the rest of the community) and truly appreciate your responses to my posts and many PMs in the past. Like others, I will miss you comments on amps (and maybe eventually headphones as well), but look forward to whatever contributions you make to this site, which I know will continue to be valuable to us all. Best of luck and well wishes.
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Don't disappear, the way Stephen Mejias did when he left Stereophile to go to work for Audioquest. Distinctive voices are all too rare these days, even if (and perhaps especially if) you disagree with most of what they have to say.
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Don't disappear, the way Stephen Mejias did when he left Stereophile to go to work for Audioquest. Distinctive voices are all too rare these days, even if (and perhaps especially if) you disagree with most of what they have to say.
As Anax would say, "Bingo."
The announcement reminds me of this ambivalent number:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_YRnuuKyY
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It's good to work for a company whose product you can trust. Just be careful with the whole "woopie, having a hobby that pays" thing. That's the kind of stuff workaholism is made.
I'm starting to think that one needs three hobbies - one that pays, one that gets you relaxed and one that keeps you fit.
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Sad to see you go... congratulations on your new endeavor!!
All the best!! :)p7
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I'm starting to think that one needs three hobbies - one that pays, one that gets you relaxed and one that keeps you fit.
3 in 1: opium den prostitute.
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3 in 1: opium den prostitute.
:)p13 :)p13 :)p13 :)p13 :)p13
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I got escorted to HR and thrown out of the building yesterday.
Wow! The full corporate pantomime. Amazing the lengths that those people go to to make themselves feel important. Assholes. :spank:
All the best for the new endeavour :)p7 :money:
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Marv,
very happy you escaped a poo pile, and can move onto a new endeavor with wide ranging rewards!
:)p1
that being said, as a follower of the Messiah (your experienced ears and voice of reason)
I :'( openly as future self-censored opinions will not help us plebs as much in the future.
so be it, let's all buck up.
we need the Board of Guv'ners here to carry the uncensored torch of reason, to provide open and legitimate conversation about audio <elements> that suck and don't suck.
do please go off and create your (ahem) new alias logins so stealth info is still posted and respected.
p;)
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3 in 1: opium den prostitute.
You could become a porn actor or actress and work in a drug store on the side. 21st century enough?
Good one Anetode.
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Hope for the best!
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Good Luck!
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So it actually turns out, it was Craig who is losing his hearing, and needs your golden ears. :P
Also, does this mean EC's website will actually be updated for the 2nd time in a decade? :& :&
Gonna be hard to hear you talk poo poo when you're involved with the best amps in the biz. Better keep a blog going for Chord products and such for the old Eff U Marv we'll miss. I'm sure Anax can cover a lot, but he's mostly about cheeseburger- poo poo-talking anyway. :-*
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So happy for you Marv, I hope to hear EC gear with your inputs into design one day :D
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I contemplating going back on my word a little bit. Won't comment on amps, but there are craptastic headphones and DACs I really don't want anywhere near the gear I'll be making and selling.
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Marv, then it will be Ok to ask you the following questions (I think):
1. the EC amp that pairs best with the planars (Slants, LCD X, HE 4). I am reserving my HE 6 for the Odyssey Stratos or the Mark Levinson amp.
2. the EC amp for the 800 (duh, that's in the amps for the 800 thread, never mind)
3. What do I really do with my ZD prototype :P (I'd like to read your answer now :))
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Talk about amps sometimes too, who else is going to do a review like this one -> http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1173.msg31231.html :(
BTW, EC needs a new website :)p8
And also, that red top looks really cool!
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thank you Marv.
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I contemplating going back on my word a little bit. Won't comment on amps, but there are craptastic headphones and DACs I really don't want anywhere near the gear I'll be making and selling.
As a vendor no one would say you are wrong in that. It makes sense. Manufacturers make these peripheral accessory decisions all the time.
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I contemplating going back on my word a little bit. Won't comment on amps, but there are craptastic headphones and DACs I really don't want anywhere near the gear I'll be making and selling.
Given that you won't be working on DACs or headphones, I don't think there'd really be an issue with you commenting on them.
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Personally I don't mind at all about comments made on amps as comparisons as it would still benifit us to know..
Also will be interesting to see what if any changes coming in future to the EC line or website.. Actually a good topic for another thread.
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The thing is, as a manufacturer and vendor you can make recommendations and state preferences. How you back them up is a different matter. When Tyll at Innerfidelity can make recommendations and state his preferences looking at his position in the HF/HC/Changstar community to begin with so can you.
As long as you do not go Comcast on potential and existing customers you should be fine. I mean Comcast is still suffering the Streisand effect (and no I am not talking about the South Park Mecha-Streisand).
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Marv will remain the Messiah whether he likes to or not. His is the formative voice that shaped so many equally brilliant others. A godfather not a messiah_ for a group of gangstars.
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Marv will remain the Messiah whether he likes to or not. His is the formative voice that shaped so many equally brilliant others. A godfather not a messiah_ for a group of gangstars.
People like Marvin made me join this quirky forum. Agreed.
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bit late to ze partay but congratulations to you, big step in life!
hope it is going well so far :)