RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music)

Signature Sound had a multiple decade relationship with Merlin and Bobby.

They had this to say (link takes to the facebook page):

"My Dear Friend, Bobby Palkovich - Rest In Peace

I am greatly saddened to report the loss of my long time friend Bobby Palkovich, President of Merlin Music Systems. Apparently more distraught than I had ever thought about business, other personal issues and the toll they must have been taking on his state of mind, it saddens me greatly to report Bobby took his own life last Thursday, August 20th.

I will always remember him as the bright and quick witted and sometimes just plain crabby (generally amusingly so) lovable character that he was. Doing the many trade shows, road trips, and other events we did together over the years were always interesting and fun experiences. They are my fondest memories of him. His memory will live on not only in all those who knew him, but also in the hundreds/thousands of pairs of Merlin speakers in peoples homes that he crafted with a dedication and passion) that was probably unrivaled in the high end audiophile community. No shrinking violet, he would defend his friends and speakers to the hilt if he felt they where unfairly slighted. Making them and seeing or hearing from people how much they enjoyed them was, I'm sure, one of his greatest joys.

Rest in peace my dear friend.

P.S. I'm sure some will have questions about what will happen to Bobby's company, Merlin Music System Inc. I have no news on that front except to say that it will take some time for Bobby's family and business associate(s) to work things out. My own personal feeling is that without Bobby, whose mind, heart and soul were the driving force of the company, Merlin will cease to be in business. "
====
"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you." ~ R A Wilson

Link

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 26, 2015 at 11:01:12
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	Were talking about a member of our community taking his own life and you use it to advertise your blog. Pretty tasteless Alan

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 26, 2015 at 12:33:49

Bromo33333
Audiophile

Posts: 3502
Location: Ipswich, MA
Joined: May 4, 2004

Who is being tasteless again? I find it offensive that you hijack the thread and force me to defend myself on something that it both wrong (you got it wrong) and totally unrelated to the point of my posting.

Not for nothing, that's the standard signature I am using for everything. If I were to change it, it changes everywhere. If you check other posts, I made some minor alterations and you will see it everywhere.

The link is automagically placed at the end.

Might be good to focus your energies toward hope that his family can recover from something so difficult and inscrutable as a suicide...

(I delineated the signature with "Signature" so that nobody would get confused. the '====' might not be clear enough for everyone. But for the record, too, I make no money at all from it, I write it because I like writing.)

====
"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you." ~ R A Wilson

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 26, 2015 at 15:58:46
Devils Advocate	holy shit, I just talked to him on the 13th. I'm completely shocked.

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 26, 2015 at 16:06:16
Devils Advocate	anybody know how his wife Karen is doing? hope she's ok.

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 26, 2015 at 23:50:12
kavakidd Audiophile Posts: 20316 Location: Upstate NY Joined: April 15, 2004	Ouch "Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

Suicide amongst 45+ in the US is on the rise..., posted on August 27, 2015 at 09:02:37
kuma Audiophile Posts: 10272 Location: IN Joined: July 8, 2001	clinical depression is hard to detect and prevention often is difficult. Ultra hard on the rest of the family.

Yes, posted on August 27, 2015 at 09:19:56

Bromo33333
Audiophile

Posts: 3502
Location: Ipswich, MA
Joined: May 4, 2004

I lost someone dear to me about a decade ago to it. It is very hard on those left behind. I think it is best thought of as an illness that is hard to detect and treat.

====
"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you." ~ R A Wilson

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 27, 2015 at 10:59:18
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15518 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Peace to the family only, as we must never celebrate someone, whom chooses to take his own life.

You Can't Know..., posted on August 27, 2015 at 14:14:06
Inmate51	until you've been close to that point. Fifteen years ago, I was close, and it was scary. Despair and despondency are not fun. :)

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 27, 2015 at 15:13:48
jnr Reviewer Posts: 2164 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Joined: April 5, 2000	How incredibly sad. He was always fun at shows. We never know what is going on when we meet someone. Prayers for his family and friends. theaudiobeatnik.com

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 27, 2015 at 16:43:42
bullethead	r.i.p.

RE: Suicide amongst 45+ in the US is on the rise..., posted on August 27, 2015 at 19:55:14
Bill the K Audiophile Posts: 8384 Joined: June 3, 2006	Bobby was not reacting to posts for some time which was a sign of starting of depression. And those who suddenly stop posting should be looked at with suspicion. Bill

In fact..., posted on August 27, 2015 at 20:18:24
musetap Audiophile Posts: 31874 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	that's an ignorant stance based on ages old dogma that ignores and belittles being a human being. Those that take their own lives need peace and prayers as much as those still here. There are never enough prayers of peace for the living AND departed who are good souls. Mr. Palkovich seemed a good (if troubled) soul. "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

RE: In fact..., posted on August 27, 2015 at 20:34:57
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	Thank you Alan

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 27, 2015 at 21:11:44
Bill the K Audiophile Posts: 8384 Joined: June 3, 2006	No, the soul of the person who committed suicide needs more prayers. Bill

Another added layer..., posted on August 27, 2015 at 21:36:46

kuma
Audiophile

Posts: 10272
Location: IN
Joined: July 8, 2001

is a culture.
In Japan, to 'save face' honourable suicide has been a norm for centuries.

I know someone who hang himself because he could not pass the entrance exam to the high school.

As you might know the suicide rate in Japan is amongst the highest in the world partly due to it's an accepted behavior.

peace ?, posted on August 27, 2015 at 22:21:01
Timbo in Oz Audiophile Posts: 23221 Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia Joined: January 30, 2002	been there, also. turning back from it is a journey. good for you. Warmest Tim Bailey Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 27, 2015 at 23:52:52

davidandcandy@gmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 192
Location: Virginia
Joined: May 12, 2014

I'm not pointing fingers, just expressing MY point of view from being in what seemed a hopeless depressed state years ago. Prior to my "crash" from PTSD, I had hidden a lot (I fell into that macho thing "I'm a man, I'll get over it") and had retreated from those that loved me most. Don't know that I contemplated suicide, but my mental & emotional state was way out of kilter. I thank God for a wife who recognized what was happening & we got help & life is good again. Prior to that, I had little patience for people who I thought should "get over it" but didn't. I learned that there are times when you can't because you aren't thinking rationally. What I'm trying to say, and probably not very well, is that I look at troubled people through a different lens now, and this may sound preachy, I let God determine what that persons eternal route may be, He knows what is going on inside and that some are not equipped to make good choices. Remember, MY opinion. Thanks for the "vent"
Everyone thinks I'm strange except my friends deep inside the earth

RE: Yes, posted on August 27, 2015 at 23:59:36

davidandcandy@gmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 192
Location: Virginia
Joined: May 12, 2014

Thank you, the stigma attached to mental health is slowly changing for the better. As my wife used to say, if you have cancer, you treat the disease. If you have a broken leg, you treat it appropriately. The brain is no different. It's not (in most cases) brought on by the person who has the problem. It should be recognized as another part of your body that needs to be treated, and not dismissed as weakness or something that will go away by itself.
Everyone thinks I'm strange except my friends deep inside the earth

RE: In fact..., posted on August 28, 2015 at 00:28:53
three_sox	+100 You made the point far more tactfully than I am capable of. Thank you. RIP Bobby Palkovich.

aaah! shrouded in self righteousness...., posted on August 28, 2015 at 04:36:36
Magpie	.

It all balances out somehow, posted on August 28, 2015 at 05:15:23
genungo	On the one hand we are living longer. On the other hand we are more likely to kill ourselves. Strange brew.

I'm still a work in progress..., posted on August 28, 2015 at 05:25:40

Dman
Audiophile

Posts: 7211
Location: Kansas
Joined: January 28, 2001

Hence the in-joke of naming my system that in Inmate Systems.

Clinical depression (my diagnosis, since my mid-teens) is as stealthy to the individual as it is silent to the outsiders. I've been to the edge a few times already. I have good days and bad as well. That is part of being. Music helps, Immensely!

It is more sobering to me when I hear about someone like Bobby and his situations. Sometimes people can see it and sometimes can't. Take Robin Williams for example. In all honesty, even I could see the warning signs based strictly on his manic comedy routines. Again, some can and some can't. We need more people who can!

I wish Bobby's family all the best in trying to come with this. They have more questions than answers now, I'm afraid...

Cheers,
Dman
Analog Junkie

Nicely said NT, posted on August 28, 2015 at 06:15:49
lancelot Audiophile Posts: 1722 Joined: March 23, 2001	NT

+1 (nt), posted on August 28, 2015 at 11:57:51
Todd A.

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 28, 2015 at 14:18:39
mkuller Audiophile Posts: 38130 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: April 22, 2003	...not laughing. Or agreeing.

RE: In fact..., posted on August 28, 2015 at 17:37:58
Jive Turkey Audiophile Posts: 2409 Location: far left, geographically speaking Joined: May 5, 2010	Beautiful. See ya. Dave

I Know For A Fact...., posted on August 29, 2015 at 08:40:53
howard Audiophile Posts: 2952 Location: No. California Joined: December 31, 1999	his Wife was sick for a long time.

RE: RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music), posted on August 29, 2015 at 14:56:08

Ishmael
Audiophile

Posts: 250
Joined: July 28, 2001

I have owned three different pairs of Bobby's speakers (early VSM SE and two iterations of TSM), and have been in the process of convincing myself to go back to the VSMs that I loved. It is not possible for anyone else to imagine the mental state that someone is in that leads them to take their own life. That he suffered so much personal anguish is very sad. I had various telephone conversations with him, and liked Bobby as a person, not just as a vendor. He was always enthusiastic and friendly - a real gentleman.

General Asylum

RIP Bobby Palkovich (Merlin Music)

155.95.80.244