Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Slaw, I made the comment in another thread of yours that you tend to personalize these discussions too readily. Well, you are true to form. To ignore your rant would probably be wise, but ultimately way too easy. I like a challenge :-)

Frankly, I have no idea what you are talking about or trying to say. I don't mind being drawn into a dialogue, but you're going to have to be more succinct and clear about what the issue is for you. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the issue for you is that since you are not aware of any of my "projects" that my supposed "authority" is thrown into question. I have news for you: I claim no authority in audio matters. I would respectfully suggest that you not put so much stock in trying to be an authoriy on these topics; express your thoughts and opinions and leave it at that. If it's a worthy idea, the dialogue will follow.

I stand by my comments. If they don't resonate as authoritative enough to you, then simply ignore them; I'm ok with that.

Frogman: I appreciate your pointed criticism and hopefully I can try to become more self-aware of my failings. I also appreciate your willingness to respond.

I re-read your post above from 7/13 and this is now sinking in more. Since, as you say, all of our systems are inaccurate and we are all trying to find better ways of handling vibrations, it seems to me that the only informative way to do this is in the context of our own systems. Therefore regarding a portion of your statement... "in the context of our own systems"... I believe this is (all of our reference') as it relates to all of our posts.

Having said this, It seems to me that my trying to explain what I've done and the difference that was made, was/is probably really not relevant at all to any one else, because of the fact that my reference is taken from my experience within the context of my system. In that light, why are we even posting our experiences here if they are not relevant to another who has a completely different system/room/ear? It seems, in this context, a good argument can be made that this forum as it relates to this topic and the value we or the audio reviewer places on a particular recording or equipment is most likely a waste of time, unless we place innocuous terms/phrases such as... "this may be" or "you could hear this" or "you may have a different result" in reference to what we think others may find from our descriptions of our own findings within our own systems. ( I think this is why I cancelled my subscriptions a long time ago), also, (This may go to my posting elsewhere that there's no better resource than discovering things on your own.) I think my passion and my wanting to share that passion and my findings always over-rides my ability to express these things in a way that others would find engaging and enjoyable to hear/read.

This may be off in another direction completely but, (IMO). there is a correlation here to the current subject above.

When manufacturers of lps or equipment exclaim their product is the best or from the original master tapes and the best sounding ever and we then purchase that product, and get a different result, what drives our opinion of them from that point on? What effect does it take? Do you not buy from said manufacturer again. Will you never even look/read an advertisement from said manufacturer in the future?

I can only assume that they, (in the context of their systems), have concluded their positive, aforementioned, stated opinion. I'm sure, at some point, we've purchased a product based on the manufacturer's opinion of said product. Or...after researching a specific product that one thinks may be in their top two or three components they wish to evaluate and subsequently go out to audition. Then, based on that audition, (in the context of that dealer's system), the component is then purchased and when inserted into the buyer's system, and it doesn't meet the buyer's standards, does the buyer stop all further contact with that particular dealer/manufacturer. (These dealers/manufacturers are confident in their opinions in the context of their individual systems). Does this somehow make that dealer/manufacturer irrelevant from that point on, even though the dealer has said it's the best sounding product that he's heard or the best match for your system's needs based on the info you've given him? Does the manufacturer suddenly find that no form of advertising will be available to them, ever? Do reviewers suddenly make a pact that they will no longer review any product made buy this specific manufacturer from that point on?

What I've done is the same thing, it seems to me, except for the fact that I am not trying to sell anything. I'm trying to put out information that others can hopefully use based on my extensive posts, passion, experience and the fact that I've made my system available so one can actually see for themselves from where I draw my opinions. That system (is) my reference. I'm as confident with how my system sounds as are the above, in all of the scenarios laid out above. Without confidence, there really is not much else other than meaningless talk.

I have re-read all of this again. In all due respect to Frogman, I do take some offense to his referring to my post as a "rant". (Do I detect some passion here?) I readily admit I lack the ability he has to make my point in an efficient manner, but to my credit, I acknowledge my faults and accept them.

This post is in reference to Frogman's read of my challenging him to share any projects in support his posts in which he responded as my essentially saying... (his lack of sharing any projects he's done, being a perceived lack of "authority" to challenge or have others be confident in his postings). I suppose this is one way to look at it. Another way, may be in order for all of us, who don't know one another, and are trying to figure out all of the member's posts, what they mean, the context of the posting members' systems, and all of the other ways out there that are feeding our addiction and how we all translate this information into what is relevant to the person reading all of this.

Frogman states:... "If they, (referring to my comments above), don't resonate as authoritative enough with you, then simply ignore them; I'm ok with that". Yet, by his own logic, my comments must have had some/enough effect on Frogman that he (chose) to comment, or challenge my past comments, instead of ignoring them as he wants me to do. In other words, he chose not to ignore my comments that he disagreed with, yet wants me to do the opposite of what he professes! Please, someone, tell me the logic in this?

I also love a challenge!

I would just like some sort of factual, informative, and/or reasonable resolution to all of the above, (I hope all of my responses have/will be posted).

Ct0517: I gave you/this thread an out, remember? lol.