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For those who haven't been over to the SET Asylum, my DIY bud and good friend Jim Dowdy has informed me that Dr Harvey "Gizmo" Rosenberg succumbed to a heart attack this afternoon while at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Dr Rosenberg was only 59 years old.He was a somehwat polarizing figure in our small community, if for no other reason than his outlandish attire and purple prose. But he was also an inspirational figure. I give him partial credit for inspiring me to build Marcel & Clovis, and for that I will be ever grateful. I've found an approach and path in this hobby that I think is "me", and I doubt I'd have done it - or at least so soon - without a kick in the pants from Giz.
We need all the good minds that contribute to our understanding and implementation of what Dr Rosenberg called the audio arts. It is sobering and sad that one of those minds has been taken from us too soon. Rest in peace, Giz, and hit the Big Guy up for a little of that "aural cream".
Follow Ups:
I just read this post. I am very sad to hear this. I will now drink a cold one for someone I never knew but felt like I did. And miss him.
I am yet another who is diminished by Dr. Gizmo's passing. It was something about kilts and hunting wild boar which prompted my attention initialy...I have copied from the site: http://www.meta-gizmo.com/
"Here's what we know so far:
Harvey was en route to Evansville, Indiana on Monday morning (7/16) for business and was apparently feeling OK on the flight from NY to Chicago. He reported not feeling well on the flight from Chicago to Evansville. After getting off the plane, he asked the people who were meeting him to take him to the doctor, but didn1t think he needed to go to a hospital. Harvey lost consciousness just as they arrived at the doctor1s office and he could not be revived by the staff there, or by the paramedics who responded. I spoke to an emergency room nurse and the coroner who said that the cause of death is consistent with a massive heart attack. But they can1t know for sure without an autopsy and believe he was otherwise in good health...."
C.
I remember a speeech he made at one of the single ended shows in Philly. The basic gist of his argument was that the best way to really appreciate all this hifi stuff was to actually build it.I listened to him and decided to try and like the rest of you, found out the truth in his words.
Ray
So sorry to hear of Harvey's passing. I respected the fact that he worked so hard to bring a great many new folks into this wonderful little niche of SET audio. His enthusiasm for the subject seemed without limits.It is indeed a tragedy whenever we loose a brother who has shown such a level of passion for this craft which we all struggle to master.
I didn't know Harvey but I have studied his website. A very good friend of mine sent me the URL a couple of years ago. Dr. Gizmo's prose inspired me to build my own equipemnt. His website also led me to this forum. If I'd never found his site I probably wouldn't have the pleasure of a Foreplay/Paramour combo in my living room.I'll miss him too.
It was 15 years ago that his NYAL ad for his "Superit" phono preamp conviced me to try tubes. I always meant to send him an e-mail to let him know how much he impacted my audio life.I found out about his death on another bulletin board and immeidately had to check the Triode Guild website. It is quite sad, and his nephew has posted a little message there for us all.
He will be missed.
I liked the radical approach Gizmo used in his writing and I think he was great for the tube community.That little SuperIt phono stage (which I now use) sure makes a lot of music for a small amount of money.
regards
Noam
I was just reading his latest Listener column for the second time last night, so it's fresh in my mind. Go and re-read it now to see how poignant it is."Whenever I consider my mortality and ask myself what I would do if I only had a short time to live, an intrinsic part of the answer is, 'Get the most musical pleasure.'" ..."Life is too short. Don't waste your precious time with aural mediocrity." (Hope Listener doesn't mind.)
I hope he came from or was going to do just that.
Harvey was my friend and mentor for close to 20 years...it was Harvey who shamed me into getting my first soldering iron and modifying my equipment.He was incredibly influential in getting people to think outside of the strict engineering box. He had an amazing and infectious passion for life. I'll miss him.
So, here's a toast to Gizmo from your audio bud.
The Dowdy Lama
nt
Jim, I only knew him from his writing but I was of the opinion that he must have been much more fun in person, I envy you getting to know him, he must have been quite a character. Certainly as a writer he was unique!I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
-j
Domecq's La Ina fino sherry in his memory (which is what I'm sipping now). In fact, a glass of the '94 Zind-Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl Gewirz and the '93 Marquis de Angerville Volnay Tallepieds Premier Cru that I had a bit of earlier this eve. Vive la France! Vivo Espana!I think Harvey would have appreciated the wines.
I must confess that I had been sending the Doc some of Seven Hills 97 cab reserve and their pinot. Just for a gift of appreciation as he took alot of his own time mentoring me in the arts of speakerbuilding. He is sadly missed. TC
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