Did anyone see Atma-Sphere at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest? The Atma-Sphere Web site had said they would be there, but the only report I've seen so far is that Classic Audio Reproductions used an MP1, but not as a dealer/manufacturer demo. (He and Ralph had shown together many times in the past.)
Showing 6 responses by rushton
Ralph Karsten was the most valuable asset Atma-Sphere Musical Systems possessed. His departure is saddening and somewhat troubling to me. It was always Ralph's personal integrity, his vision and his sense of musical accuracy and truthfulness that made Atma-Sphere such a wonderful company and its products so exquisitely special. I'm still waiting to see some overt and wholehearted endorsement from Ralph of the "continuing" management team at Atma-Sphere, and some direct indication from Ralph that he will be contributing his design talent to the company on a continuing basis beyond the quotes attributed to him in the A-S press release. Until then, Atma-Sphere without Ralph is an open question for me, just as would be the case with any other highly specialized firm that is the creation of the genius of its founder, designer and visionary. . |
Can anyone access the ASOG server? (Atma-Sphere Owners Group) http://www.otlamp.com/forum/index.html It is uniquely coincidental that after some messages were posted questioning Atma-Sphere's new management about Ralph Karsten's curious departure, the server this evening stops accepting connections and now gives a "404 Not Found" error message: "The requested URL /forum/index.html was not found on this server" Especially given that the new A-S management controls the server... . |
Thank you, Mark. For those with an interest, here's the link: http://www.otlamp.com/forum/index.html . |
The concern is whether Ralph is being hung out to dry... As I and others have commented here and elsewhere, I don't think I care who ends up running Ralph Karsten's company after Ralph is out of a job with the company he created. That sort of thing happens in corporate America. Nor do I particularly care whether Atma-Sphere without Ralph will be successful. What I DO care about is whether Ralph is being hung out to dry in the process; not only being forced into a situation he did not choose (apparently so, given his silence), but possibly being prevented from making a living in high-end audio in the future. This really, ultimately, is not a question about whether their new management team can keep things running, or what the vision for the future may be... For me, this is about whether Ralph is being materially hurt in the process. It is not a Chicken Little issue, its about whether a person I respect and value is being dealt with fairly and with consideration. To be blunt, three questions keep preying on my mind, and I am concerned about the possible answers. In the absence of Ralph's agreement to an accommodation with the new management: 1. Will the new Atma-Sphere management try to prevent Ralph from competing in the high-end audio tube electronics market if he chooses to do so? Is new management trying to restrict him right now? If Ralph has a negotiated exit package that includes a non-compete provision, and if Ralph has been compensated for entering that agreement, and if the package is suitable to him, then fine. Otherwise not. 2. Will the new Atma-Sphere management attempt to prevent Ralph from using independently and for his own future benefit the intellectual property Ralph created/invented over the years, or to prevent him from using it in high-end audio applications? (Same considerations/caveats as in 1 above.) 3. Will the new Atma-Sphere management attempt to prevent Ralph from independently making a living in high-end audio, the only career he's ever known, using the skills he's developed over a lifetime? The "press release" sure makes it sound like an A-S exclusive, which is fine if Ralph has been fairly compensated and has agreed; but again there is this deafening silence from Ralph. (Same considerations/caveats as in 1 above.) What I am concerned about, WHOM I'm concerned about, is Ralph and his well-being in the aftermath this change. That is why I continue to ask Mark Gilmore and Harry Blazer to step forward with Ralph's endorsement to all of this, because, as Springbok noted, Ralph's silence on this issue is deafening, and that is very discouraging to me. Mark and Harry, I certainly hope you are working hard to make this the honorable transition you wish us all to perceive, and one that will do you credit when all the facts are shared. I would far rather congratulate you and support you than be your critic. . |
A Ralph Karsten Fund has been established. Please see the announcement at: http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/349340.html . |