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Critic's Corner

Harry Pearson and new course of TAS...

82.104.23.155

Hi to all...
what do you think of the actual role of Harry Pearson (for me, the better audio reviewer of ever) inside the new course of The Absolute Sound?
It will make the same end of J.G. Holt?
I wonder as a personality of his caliber can accept of to be narrow in his Workshop...

Edits: 02/01/08

Follow Ups:

I don't want to start any rumours... - mkuller 12:50:40 02/06/08 (28)
...but I have it on good authority that HP might have something big in the works.

And he does not have a contract or non-compete clause to restrict him.
- RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - middleground 15:53:04 02/18/08 (3)
  The guy is a crank anyway.
  - RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - andy_c 22:34:56 02/18/08 (2)
    The guy is a crank anyway.
    
    Well, but who in the high-end audio press is not a crank, or at best an industry apologist/shill?
    
    Kal Rubinson and Jim Austin are the only names that come to my mind at the moment as exceptions. There may be others but I can't think of any offhand.
    
    The web "'zines" are the worst offenders at this in my view.
    - RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - morricab 04:01:21 02/29/08 (0)
      Well that is a mighty big chip you are carrying around on your shoulder there Andyc. Your opinion that everyone who is reviewing for a webzine is an apologist/shill is pretty insulting actually.
      
      Care to try to justify having such an extreme position? Or is this just a hit and run attack on your part?
      
      I am eagerly awaiting the justification of your position on these accusations you level towards web magazine reviewers.
    - Congratulations, Andy! You win the... - David W. Robinson 09:51:43 02/20/08 (0)
      ..."*Enormous* Overgeneralization Award" for today!
      
      ;-)
      
      "Well, but who in the high end audio press is not a crank, or at best an industry apologist/shill? ... The web 'zines are the worst offenders at this in my view."
      
      You'll understand if I disagree with your view completely, I'm sure.
      
      Regards,
      
      david
      
      David W. Robinson
      Editor, Positive Feedback Online
- Interesting! As others have mentioned, I don't see the current paradigm supporting anything epic, but... - Enophile 15:13:55 02/09/08 (0)
  ...we can hope!
  
  In the current mix of print and internet, I just don't see a new endeavor making a big enough splash to be viable.
  
  I do hope HP stays more a part of the hobby than JGH has.
  
  I wonder how one could dent the market these days?
  
  Perhaps an iPod based "magazine" that tries to lead people toward better fidelity? Make good sound a youth market prestige thing?
  
  If he does venture out, I wish him the best.
- If that is the case, I wish him or them the best of luck. - John Marks 07:32:35 02/09/08 (12)
  My horseback estimate is that there are, worldwide, maximum 15,000 people for whom HP's writing is a gotta-havvit. Someone whose opinion I respect says I am over-estimating by 100%, the real number is closer to 7,500.
  
  A stock-picking newsletter can make lots of money with 7,500 subscribers, because it is a one-man job and it just requires a good head for picking stocks. Someone who spends his day watching the numbers crawl past on the screen and who has a facility for writing can do it all himself. No layout, no graphic design other than a chart every now and then. No photos. And the newsletter proves its value by whether the picks make money.
  
  Coming up with enough equipment-review content for even a newsletter, forget a magazine you can put out on a magazine rack, is a huge job for one person, or a job for several people. And once you add in recording reviews, well, you need a staff. And unless they want to write for free, that costs.
  
  Somebody below made a snarky comment about my allusions to the Latin Mass. I think that comment betrayed a serious failure to comprehend the point I am making by invoking the Latin Mass--as well as wooden boats, and chess. For nearly 40 years, it was extremely difficult for the average Catholic to hear a Latin Mass--unless, like Mel Gibson, you have a private chapel on the grounds of your estate. NONETHELESS, a magazine devoted to the Latin Mass has a circulation far greater than TAS'. (Mutatis mutandis, Biblical Archeology Review, the readership of which seems to be mostly Protestant, has a circulation more than twice that of Stereophile.)
  
  My point being that you have two pursuits that most people would think of as fringe-y, each actually more popular than high-end audio, judging by the circulations of the respective enthusiast magazines.
  
  IMHO the potential audience for a new publishing venture with HP at the helm or as a figurehead is a strictly limited subset of the subscribers to the two existing major US print high-end audio magazines. When I was a teenager, I avidly subscribed first to Stereo Review, and then Audio. I actually subscribed to Popular Electronics before either of them. For me the idea of an "average" teenager subscribing to ANY new high-end audio print magazine is a off-base as the idea of a teenager raised in a non-religious home who never goes to church, subscribing to Latin Mass magazine.
  
  Nobody is asking my advice, but, here it is anyway: don't waste any money trying to "convert" bad prospects. A little birdie once told me that by the time even the shouting was over, Fi magazine had spent about $635 to get each of the subscribers it had.
  
  Ciao,
  
  JM
  - I'd say you are underestimating... - mkuller 10:41:01 02/12/08 (3)
    ...regardless of Latin Mass or other esoteric publications you may be aware of or subscribe to.
    
    > My horseback estimate is that there are, worldwide, maximum 15,000 people for whom HP's writing is a gotta-havvit.>
    
    IMO, at least half of the current TAS distribution and perhaps more.
    - TAS: ABC? Since when? - John Marks 19:36:11 02/12/08 (2)
      Hi-
      
      Not to make a tempest in a teapot, but, are TAS' circ numbers audited by ABC, and, if so, since when? Back when I was there, AMM mailed the issues more expensively, IMHO so as not to have to report to the Postal Service. If you tell little fibs, or white lies, it takes time for them to catch you, but when they do, it hurts. Kinda like collecting witholding from employees but not turning it over to the IRS, but I am sure no party to this conversation knows anything about such matters.
      
      As I was saying, before Amy Winehouse started yelling at me, I will spot you whatever circ number TAS claims, and give you half of it. But what I said was, gotta-havvit, by which I meant, although I know that you had no way of knowing, because Danica Patrick was murmuring smutty things in your ear, that they would pay anything within reason for the privilege, by which I meant not $12 renewals but rather $58 or even $90 subscriptions.
      
      It's still a rather slender reed to risk anything but f-you money on. IMHO.
      
      Cordially,
      
      JM
      - RE: TAS: ABC? Since when? - John Atkinson 03:58:40 02/13/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: TAS: ABC? Since when? posted by John Marks on February 12, 2008 at 19:36:11
        
        > are TAS' circ numbers audited by ABC?
        
        They were up for a while up to 2 years ago, but Absolute Multimedia was
        then censured by the ABC for submitting numbers that didn't meet the audit
        requirements. I can't remember, however, if the problem involved TAS's
        claimed circulation or TPV's or both. Absolute Multimedia resigned from
        ABC shortly afterward.
        
        Stereophile's claimed circulation is ABC-audited.
        
        John Atkinson
        Editor, Stereophile
        
        Edits: 02/13/08
        
        Why am I not surprised? - Charles Hansen 08:25:43 02/13/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: TAS: ABC? Since when? posted by John Atkinson on February 13, 2008 at 03:58:40
        
        < < Absolute Multimedia was then censured by the ABC for submitting numbers that didn't meet the audit requirements > >
        
        Why am I not surprised...
        
        Mike Kuller, I think this is what John Marks was obliquely referring to. His estimate of 15,000 readers who would subscribe to a magazine run by HP is probably more than your estimate of half the *actual* circulation of TAS.
  - RE: If that is the case, I wish him or them the best of luck. - Wade Davis 17:14:24 02/10/08 (6)
    The conservative estimate (7,500) is probably more accurate. I suspect there is a growing subscriber population or both publications that don't even know who JGH or HP are and what they accomplished.
    
    However, I would disagree that HP's potential readership is limited to a subset of subscribers to current high end publications. I would give anything HP or JGH published a try, even though I haven't, nor have many of my audiophile friends, subscribed to any to high end publication since Listener ceased publishing.
    
    While I had subscribed to both TAS and Stereophile since the early 80's, I, and many of my friends, simply lost interest in both publications in the late 90's. While there were a lot of reasons for this, one reason was they both became less interesting than they were in the 80's when they had a more hobbyist feel, e.g., reviews on "modded" equipment, reviews on equipment from little known manufacturers, occasional DIY articles, etc. Listener filled that void for awhile.
    
    A second reason was that the reviewers, with a few important exceptions, lacked JGH's and HP's rigorous approach. Based on the reviews that were published when I was still a subscriber (and the occasional review I read at Borders), most reviewers have less knowledge of the equipment (from an engineering standpoint) than myself, and based on their recommendations, worse hearing.
    
    As a consequence, there was/is no reason for me to subscribe to these publications. However, if HP or JGH started a new publication that was more like the old TAS or Stereophile (which, by their nature, have a much smaller audience), I would at least give it a try. I'd even give TAS and Stereophile a try if they had at least one reviewer who actually knew who Lynn Olson and Kevin Carter are and discussed their designs.
    - I guess you missed... - Bill Leebens 21:52:09 02/23/08 (0)
      ...Art Dudley writing about Kevin's Lundahl-based MC stepup kit, coupla months back in S'phile.
      
      Cheers, Bill
    - RE: DIY, kits, and modded gear reviews - Steven R. Rochlin 09:01:37 02/14/08 (0)
      Wade,
      
      Thanks for your posting and agree with you on the lacking of the 'hobbyist' side of things as many enjoyed decades ago. Listener was a great magazine and when Art sold it, he lost control and it went out of business shortly thereafter. This was indeed a very sad day for the high-end audio hobbyist.
      
      Your comments are precisely why i asked Joe Roberts to republish articles from Sound Practices magazine within Enjoy the Music.com (plus it is a very cool magazine). My dad taught me to solder at the rip ol' age of 5, and my first day job (was/am also a musician) when i was of age was working at Heathkit electronics. Over the past 12 years, Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed various kits and DIY projects including the recent LS3/5 kit, Bastanis speaker kit, our senior editor Dick Olsher has a speaker kit he designed, Hammer Dynamics Super 12... and am artile written by none other than Kondo-san with schematics so you can build the Ongaku....
      
      Mod articles include Denon 2900 modification, Bolder Cable modified Slim Devices Squeezebox 2, V-Caps mod, ModWright Instruments/Denon 3910 mod... and the factory modified JoLida JD 102B, Bottlehead Paramour ....
      
      Cables are another factor, and many know of the Max Rochlin memorial digital/video cable DIY project, which has been republished in print in Hi-Fi News magazine.
      
      The above is not to break my own arm to pat my back; the point is that i am ALWAYS open to publishing DIY projects, kits, tweaks, mods, etc. This includes having me or one of our writers cover DIY-type shows (check out the PA Tube Show, nyNOISE, and others on Enjoy the Music.com). If you (or anyone reading this) have a great mod or show please feel free to e-mail it to me for consideration.
      
      There are many facets to high-end audio and diversification is better than limited focus imho. Thanks everyone for your time and in the end what REALLY matters is that YOU...
      
      Enjoy the Music,
      
      Steven R. Rochlin
    - You know, Wade, PFO does publish... - David W. Robinson 09:45:27 02/11/08 (3)
      ..."reviews on 'modded' equipment, reviews on equipment from little known manufacturers, occasional DIY articles, etc."
      
      And Lynn Olson has been associated with us from the very beginning (c. 1990). Whenever he's moved to write on things audio for PFO, we publish.
      
      You and your buddies are welcome to drop by any time.
      
      All the best,
      
      david
      
      David W. Robinson
      Editor, Positive Feedback Online
      A Creative Forum for the Audio Arts (Open in New Window)
      - RE: You know, Wade, PFO does publish... - Wade Davis 19:06:28 02/14/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: You know, Wade, PFO does publish... posted by David W. Robinson on February 11, 2008 at 09:45:27
        
        Hello David & Steven,
        I am an avid reader/site visitor of both PFO and ETM, as well as 6Moons. I was really referring to the print publications. I think the important thing both TAS and Stereophile need to consider is that many audiophile's interests progress over time. And this progression doesn't simply mean being able to afford more expensive equipment, but an increasing understanding of equipment design, a desire not to be limited by commercial offerings, etc. As a result, both publications, IMO, eventually lose the interest of seasoned audiophiles if they don't do more than review the same equipment from the same manufacturers year after year. Of course, no magazine can satisfy everyone so I am thankful publications like yours exist, as well designers like Nelson Pass who avidly support DIYers. Maybe one day either TAS or Stereophile will reconsider if only to distinguish itself more from the other.
        
        Edits: 02/14/08
        
        It's true that you need to bring in the newbies... - David W. Robinson 20:56:19 02/14/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: You know, Wade, PFO does publish... posted by Wade Davis on February 14, 2008 at 19:06:28
        
        ...without losing the interest of the more mature in any social gathering. Otherwise, you lose one end...or the other.
        
        Maintaining a balance is hard to do, though...particularly when paper and ink as a medium are so costly to produce, and to distribute nowadays. One of the major blessings of the Internet is the massively reduced cost of publishing and the far greater reach for distributing one's content.
        
        In that regard, web-based publication represents a true paradigm shift (that all too often misused concept) in human history. All sorts of new possibilties open for creative work, well beyond those of the printing press. And the crushing economic burdens are wonderfully reduced. (The question of quality in the midst of the resultant tsunami of expression is quite a different matter, of course.)
        
        FWIW, I'm sure that both John Atkinson and Robert Harley feel significant pressure all the time. I certainly did back in the days of *Positive Feedback* as a print magazine (1990-2001).
        
        I don't envy them.
        
        All the best,
        
        david
        
        David W. Robinson
        Editor, Positive Feedback Online
        
        Well said... - Steven R. Rochlin 09:29:03 02/15/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: It's true that you need to bring in the newbies... posted by David W. Robinson on February 14, 2008 at 20:56:19
        
        David,
        
        Could not have said it better.
        
        If i may add... TAS, Sphile and others do offer Internet versions of their print publication. This allows them to reach a wider audience without *some* of the constraints of printing/shipping. This diversification helps to mitigate the print-only costs (both financial and in readership reach).
        
        ----
        ----
        Wade,
        
        As for product (content) and business decisions, each adjusts accordingly to serve the market they feel best benefits their objectives (possibly as directed by those who hold the financial purse-strings). This is true in virtually all ongoing business ventures.
        
        As i can only speak for Enjoy the Music.com, the goal is to provide an enjoyable and educational site with plenty of diversification to serve as many aspects of the industry as possible including newbies, DIY'ers, and seasoned hobbyists/audiophiles. (this is a *major* oversimplification)
        
        Print magazines naturally pay their writers as does Enjoy the Music.com, while some online audiophile sites seek out those who will write at no cost. As for the quality of content plus experience from paid writers versus those who are free, we can each debate which may be best on a writer by writer basis (but lets us not go there, can-o-worms and all that). Regardless, the fact is paid writers do add to the costs of production for print publications and Enjoy the Music.com and must also be factored in.
        
        The above shows just a hint of the many facets at work for both print and online publications. So as to why the print guys do XXY and Internet does XYY versus...
        
        Wade, write to the magazine editor and let them know your feelings. Perhaps if enough people have the same desires as you and also write in, they will find a way to fulfil the requests on a regular basis. If a business does not fulfil your desires, go elsewhere. As an example, i prefer Heinz over Kraft ketchup so i buy Heinz.
        
        In a perfect world things would operate as I wish them to. -- ???
        
        The reverse side also has a reverse side. -- Japanese proverb
        
        Enjoy the Music,
        
        Steven R. Rochlin
  - i 'scribed to fi AND audio adventure - hifitommy 14:52:32 02/09/08 (0)
    in hopes that a new hig quality mag could survive. i will likewise support harry's new venture if it materializes.
    
    ...regards...tr
- this really IS good news. - hifitommy 06:49:48 02/09/08 (0)
  we could use a good alternative, not that i would stop subscribing to tas (RHs prose aint bad you know).
  
  ...regards...tr
- RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - Mike Currie 15:41:29 02/06/08 (7)
  "I don't want to start any rumours"
  
  Sure you do. You just did. That's fine, I would love to see HP move on. His talents are largely wasted under the present regime. By the way, I am not one of those who bashes TAS at every turn. They did what they needed to to survive, and I think overall have done a pretty good job - but not for Harry.
  - RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - Charles Hansen 20:21:36 02/06/08 (6)
    < < Sure you do. You just did. > > Agreed.
    < < I would love to see HP move on. His talents are largely wasted under the present regime. > > Agreed.
    < < I am not one of those who bashes TAS at every turn. > > Me either. I only bashed them when they deserved it. I've also had public disputes with Stereophile, but their transgressions did not require bashing.
    
    Edits: 02/06/08
    - RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - Mike Currie 05:28:01 02/07/08 (4)
      Charles,
      
      You, quite rightly, have different bones to pick with the mags than the mere mortals. Let's face it, none of them are perfect, or anywhere close. If TAS - or Stereophile - was somehow negatively affecting my livelihood, I would no doubt join the bashing troupe. As things stand, my personal greatest single irritation is Tellig's inane use of "I laugh my evil laugh". He's gotten to the point where he inserts the stupid phrase out of context, just to make sure it's in each column (THREE times in the last issue, if I remember correctly). A minor thing, to be sure. Think I'll go bask in a little 'Soular Energy'.
      - RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - Charles Hansen 08:59:47 02/07/08 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I don't want to start any rumours... posted by Mike Currie on February 07, 2008 at 05:28:01
        
        < < none of them are perfect, or anywhere close. If TAS - or Stereophile - was somehow negatively affecting my livelihood, I would no doubt join the bashing troupe > >
        
        Actually, none of my public (or private) disputes with the magazines have been concerned with issues that affected my livelihood (ie, sales of Ayre products). I'm kind of funny that way, as I engage in these conversations sheerly on my principles.
        
        On the other hand, the Stereophile Recommended Components list has definitely impacted my livelihood (ie, sales of Ayre products), sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Sometimes the rankings are fair and sometimes they are not. But I don't really have an argument with Stereophile over this for one simple reason -- as you note, the magazines (and by implication, the RCL) are not perfect, but the problem is that I can't think of any better methods to create an improved RCL (at least ones that are practical). Can you?
        
        Yes, easily - plantsman 16:56:30 02/07/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I don't want to start any rumours... posted by Charles Hansen on February 07, 2008 at 08:59:47
        
        Print separate lists for each of the reviewers. That way you can easily get a handle on individual tastes and sensibilities and draw your own conclusions about whose opinions are worth paying attention to. The current scattergun approach has no identifiable point of view and just looks random (if not ridiculous).
        
        RE: Yes, easily - Charles Hansen 19:29:09 02/07/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Yes, easily posted by plantsman on February 07, 2008 at 16:56:30
        
        < < Print separate lists for each of the reviewers. > >
        
        Stereophile makes it easy to do this, as the RCL always identifies which reviewer(s) made the recommendation.
        
        Below is a link to a post where I made a suggestion on how to use the RCL to your best advantage.
        A good way to use Stereophile's RCL (Open in New Window)
        
        Huh? - Bruce Kendall 19:00:00 02/07/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Yes, easily posted by plantsman on February 07, 2008 at 16:56:30
        
        Google came along and there went your analytical skills, eh? I can relate. I freed up so much RAM when Google came out.
    - RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - Jim Austin 04:07:23 02/07/08 (0)
      < > Agreed.
      
      ;-)
      
      Jim Austin
- RE: I don't want to start any rumours... - galnat 14:24:58 02/06/08 (0)
  Hi, Mr. Kuller... as a long-time reader of TAS (and of your old reviews!) I am very very pleased with the news that you have disclosed. Also to me Harry (I have exchanged some email with him and I have manifested my disappointment for its actual role in the mag) has said of having patience.... ;-)
  ... and yes, I would be one of the hard-core follower of HP: the old TAS (with the contribution of the old team) has indicated to me the right way for the music passion and the musical enjoyment.
  Honour for these merits.
  I look forward to having fresher news as soon as possible.
  And (sorry for the kind Mr. Marks :-)) I'm glad if Harry does not have contractual ties with Absolute Multimedia...
  
  Edits: 02/06/08 02/06/08
RE: Harry Pearson and new course of TAS... - zako 08:34:43 02/02/08 (0)
The Absolute sound has become a shill for the manufactures. HP is just a figurehead straw writer..When interest slows down they take him off his leash for awhile.
RE: Harry Pearson and new course of TAS... - hahax@verizon.net 20:49:11 02/01/08 (7)
As someone who has known Gordon for decades and has met Harry more than a few times and read every issue of both mags, the loss of Gordon's views is an unreplaceable chasm in audio reviewing and the diminuation of Harry's writing and perception is almost as serious. At least we get some of his insight a few times per year and those time TAS is far more interesting and useful.

Gordon and Harry were the real pioneers of a new, improved type of audio reviewing and they were also the best.
- RE: Harry Pearson and new course of TAS... - Myles B. Astor 19:17:15 02/02/08 (5)
  HP and JGH had a passion for the equipment and music that is sadly lacking, save for a few writers, in todays high end audio magazines. For instance, like Michael Fremer or not, there's no disputing his passion for high-end audio!
  Audio publishing is today unfortunately no longer a hobby but a business. It's all about trying to get a scoop on a product that the other mag can't get, and how fast can the review be published, not the quality of the review, that is the rule now, rather than the exception. Many of todays reviews don't hold a candle to the work done in the golden years of TAS where components were reviewed by several staff members (and the growing number of magazines competing for piece of equipment and the manufacturers ability to send out multiple piece of equipment for a year for review just about makes such a review impossible today)--or when HP undertook reviews where he compared several amps or cartridges in one article (IMHO, some of his best work). A lot of work goes into such a review (not to mention most reviewers hold down a full time job, plus support a family), but the ends really justified the means here. In addition, there's a lot of questions as to just what and how much equipment a reviewer has actually heard before they review. In the old day, a reviewer cut their teeth on lesser gear and gradually moved up. Nowadays, everyone wants to review the cost no object stuff--and what have they actually heard by comparison that's out there (not of course counting live music).
  Myles Astor
  Myles B. Astor
  
  Edits: 02/02/08
  - "Where components were reviewed by several staff members." Dude! That was 35 years ago! - clarkjohnsen 00:38:20 02/04/08 (4)
    Except maybe for the elaborate cable roundtable once published by Sounds Like...
    
    And which of those cables is available today? Which was available even two years after the reviews? Or a year?
    
    clark
    - Clearly I was responding to Myles' "the work done in the golden years of TAS." - clarkjohnsen 11:57:56 02/04/08 (0)
      Not, however, to denigrate Listener.
      
      clark
    - Dude! That was 5 years ago! - Rob Doorack 05:37:48 02/04/08 (2)
      We did multi - reviewer surveys of groups of similar components at Listener all the time. They were very well received by the readers.
      - RE: Dude! That is NOW! - jdarby 17:34:07 02/12/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Dude! That was 5 years ago! posted by Rob Doorack on February 04, 2008 at 05:37:48
        
        We do and have done many reviews by multiple reviewers and even came up with a new format for cable reviews. We also have done blind shootouts.
        
        We are in the process of working with a large Audio Society to expand our ideal of multiple reviewers, rooms, and systems for one product. It can be done. Just takes some hard work and that passion for audio that some think does not exist these days.
        
        James Darby
        Publisher, Stereomojo.com
      - Or maybe 7 tops... - mkuller 09:58:22 02/04/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Dude! That was 5 years ago! posted by Rob Doorack on February 04, 2008 at 05:37:48
        
        ...the last equipment review I wrote for TAS was a comment on REG's Thiel 7.2 loudspeaker review in 2000.
        
        Another writer (Tom Miiller?) also wrote a comment on that review.
- RE: Harry Pearson and new course of TAS... - rdf 22:34:06 02/01/08 (0)
  Count me as one of ~ten people who agree with you. HP exuded his own brand of crazy but he was one of less than a handful striving to forge a language for audio perception more complex than thumbs up/thumbs down.
His role... - mkuller 15:05:58 02/01/08 (33)
> what do you think of the actual role of Harry Pearson (for me, the better audio reviewer of ever) inside the new course of The Absolute Sound?>

...since Harley became editor of TAS some years ago, is merely the writer/reviewer of the "HPs Workshop" section of the magazine.

> I wonder as a personality of his caliber can accept of to be narrow in his Workshop...>

It seems to me to be a waste of his considerable talents, but I suspect he's tolerating it.

After all, he's getting a regular paycheck without the headaches of owning and operating a magazine.
- I enjoy his writing - Bruce Kendall 12:29:42 02/02/08 (0)
  but I do get a chuckle out him sometimes, depending on what mood I am in. "You could hear the pockets of air...."
- RE: His role... - galnat 12:12:21 02/02/08 (30)
  > It seems to me to be a waste of his considerable talents, but I suspect > he's tolerating it.
  
  > After all, he's getting a regular paycheck without the headaches of > owning and operating a magazine
  
  Mah, Mr. Kuller…. I think (and you would have to know it very well, having worked for years with HP) that a man accustomed to be at the helm cannot become a simple sailor.
  I think HP, after all, is not content of the actual state of TAS (and of his actual editorial leadership) but - for some reason – he is forced to support it: after all, I don’t think he would have difficulty to find another magazine where he could write (and for much money)…
  - Think about it for a minute... - mkuller 11:37:24 02/04/08 (0)
    > ...I don’t think he would have difficulty to find another magazine where he could write (and for much money)…>
    
    There is really only one audio magazine I can think of that is successful enough to hire him - that would be Stereophile.
    
    It would cost them quite a bit, no doubt - and what would they gain?
    
    Their circulation is 2 to 3 times that of TAS. So I would assume most, if not all, TAS subscribers already buy Stereophile.
    
    How would they pay for all of the additional incremental costs without a big bump in circulation which translates into more advertising dollars?
    
    They couldn't.
    
    For better or worse, I think he's pretty much stuck where he is.
  - Respectfully disagree re: "another magazine." - John Marks 12:57:23 02/02/08 (28)
    First, as a practical matter, AMM has or at least had writer contracts. I am sure that HP's contract takes into account his value to the franchise. Just like popular music stars and sports stars, the contracts are there for reasons and one breaks such a contract at one's peril. Furthermore, one induces such a breach at one's mega-peril.
    
    Secondly, I must disagree both on the question of whether there is even one print magazine that would give HP a regular berth, and second, whether anyone would throw more than a couple/few thousand dollars per ***full*** column at him.
    
    Here's a data point: Brock Yates was recently taken for a ride by Car & Driver and kicked out in a good neighborhood, as they say.
    
    ***Could*** an up and running or startup webzine get angel or venture funding to put HP's stuff up? Sure, just like Brock Yates will now write for www.ttac.com But that is not a proven business model.
    
    And I don't see a print magazine stepping up. Too much history, too many iffies.
    
    If JA decides to prove me wrong, fine. But holding my breath I am not!
    
    JM
    - RE: Respectfully disagree re: "another magazine." - galnat 14:37:42 02/02/08 (27)
      ..uhmm, Mr. Marks, you paint a dark scene. HP "prisoner" of TAS and without way of escape? If the situation were this, then we will have to resign to lose his talent and vision.
      But I can understand the argument that the personal history and the ego of HP can turn out uncomfortable for other magazines..
      (P.S.: sorry to all for my bad english.)
      
      Edits: 02/02/08
      - The purpose of a contract is to limit a person's freedom. - John Marks 17:25:22 02/02/08 (26)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Respectfully disagree re: "another magazine." posted by galnat on February 02, 2008 at 14:37:42
        
        If a record company puts a lot of money behind a new young singer (despite the fact that the small print really means that the amounts are advances or loans), they almost always require the young singer to sign a contract that provides that the new young singer, for a term of years, can make records or perform or lend publicity only at the direction of their record label.
        
        This is the way business works. Why should a record label's shareholders be held hostage (I match your extravagant metaphors) to the goodwill of a young person whose head is subject to turning.
        
        In the present case, TAS was all but bankrupt. An investor came in with ready cash to reinvigorate the franchise. Last I heard, $6 million had gone down the rathole. Given the history of HP's business affairs, why should anyone trust his memory and sense of gratitude? So, I assume there is a contract that says that for a term of years, HP can only write for or by leave of AMM. That's life in the big city.
        
        If HP wanted to "escape," all he has to do is stop renewing the contract and wait out any "cooling down" non-compete period, which is often as long as two years.
        
        I do not think that the reluctance of any other print magazine to take on HP has anything to do with personal history or ego; publishing is not much different from the music business. Business first.
        
        My estimation is that there are not more than 15,000 people worldwide who wake up in the morning hankering for the next dose of HP's writing. Putting a magazine in their hands had been a money pit of Titanic proportions. Most managers will look at the costs and benefits and say, "Next."
        
        I bet JA could increase Stereophile's circulation by printing an edition in Esperanto. But the increased revenue would never offset the costs. Since the mid-1980s, the buzzword has been to "rightsize" a business. Perhaps the "rightsize" for TAS would have been an expensive, print-only, no-ads magazine aimed only at the 15,000 hardcore HP fans; forget spending money to get the circulation up to 40,000 or whatever.
        
        We'll never know.
        
        I am not gloating, it is a sad state of affairs; there were many squandered opportunities along the way.
        
        Your English is fine.
        
        Cheers,
        
        JM
        
        agreements are like snowflakes - jdouglas51 06:52:46 03/08/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: The purpose of a contract is to limit a person's freedom. posted by John Marks on February 02, 2008 at 17:25:22
        
        ...but an advance(pre-paid royalties) against future royalties is historically common.
        
        Next time - E-Stat 19:32:34 02/02/08 (24)
        
        In Reply to: RE: The purpose of a contract is to limit a person's freedom. posted by John Marks on February 02, 2008 at 17:25:22
        
        tell us what you really think!
        
        rw
        
        Hey, be happy! ... at least - bjh 07:59:15 02/04/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Next time posted by E-Stat on February 02, 2008 at 19:32:34
        
        the windbag didn't sneak in a reference to the Latin Mass! That's gotta count for something!
        
        Everything matters, don't forget to tweak your placebos!
        
        My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins - John Marks 07:29:56 02/03/08 (22)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Next time posted by E-Stat on February 02, 2008 at 19:32:34
        
        Doing the math on on-dead-trees audio magazine startups.
        
        And as far as I can tell, it just doesn't work.
        
        My educated guess is that Stereophile and TAS got in early enough and got well-enough established, and, most importantly, either didn't make fatal mistakes or found people to bail them out, and here we are.
        
        AUDIO magazine was a great magazine, in its day. Tom Miiller's and Myles Astor's magazines were valiant efforts. Listener had its quirky charms. I miss them all! I even miss Stereo Review, from its golden days. Pick up a 1970s Stereo Review issue on eBay. There have to be at least 100 records reviewed per issue. Yes, the equipment reviews were jejeune, we all know that. But neither TAS nor Stereophile ever covered the breadth of recordings Stereo Review did.
        
        I am speaking only for myself here, but, it looks to me as though a few generations (brief ones) of big-city management have painted Stereophile into a corner. Once a subscription costs $12, it's hard to get $28 again. At least hard to keep the circulation numbers up. If TAS is going down the same path (dirt-cheap subscription offers), IMHO that's too bad, it's a one-way path as far as I can tell.
        
        Nothing lasts forever.
        
        Cheers,
        
        JM
        
        RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins - rwiley 08:40:38 02/14/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 07:29:56
        
        John...thanks for reminding me of "Audio". I always looked forward to receiving my monthly issue. Especially enjoyed the "Audiomart" at the back. Edward Tatnall Canby? Never did "get" his articles/reviews but I'm sure some did.
        
        RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins - galnat 02:12:39 02/04/08 (5)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 07:29:56
        
        Mr Marks, your approach can be correct, from a strictly juridical point of view (the contractual tie) and economic (the profit for a publisher)..
        My opinion (perhaps banal and "romantic") it is that the business has ruined the original attitude of some magazineses (I refer to TAS and Stereophile, with HP and JGH practically reduced to the role of icons) and the same starting attitude of other magazines business-oriented (like Play/Audio Adventure and Fi, for example).
        On Internet, many web-magazine plays as an annoying advertising spot.
        Harry Pearson (for which, I believe, you don't have big liking) is - perhaps (I don't know him) - a man debatable but a genial reviewer; actually (without wanting to offend anybody) we have some HP-wannabe, but without his basic genius and vision.
        And this represent, IMHO, a loss for the chronic passionates.
        Personally, I would like that 15.000 passionates suffices to sustain is sustaining a magazine audio (but perhaps it is an utopia).
        
        Edits: 02/04/08 02/04/08
        
        I hear what you are saying, but, the marketplace has spoken. - John Marks 08:38:47 02/04/08 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by galnat on February 04, 2008 at 02:12:39
        
        Could a different approach to "brand management" have resulted in a different state of affairs?
        
        Perhaps, but not inevitably.
        
        I subscribe to Sports Car Market magazine. It costs $58 a year. Their core readership is a few thousand people who can write the multi-million-dollar checks for classic cars. The rest of us a dreamers, or looking for advice on $2000 bargain classics. Why should SCM price a subscription at $12? Jay Leno wants to read the magazine, or not. He never sees the bill, he has people to do that stuff.
        
        No audio magazine seems to have managed the same thing. Perhaps because for a lot of people, they want information to make a purchase, and then they are happy, no need to keep up. Classic cars are probably more of a hands-on thing than stereo.
        
        Personal feelings or the lack of personal feelings aside, if I received a solicitation for a new magazine that would be all HP all the time, for the same money I spend on Sports Car Market, I would decline the offer.
        
        It's not hard feelings it's not sour grapes, it's just I am just not that much into his writing these days or for the past several years. IMHO, when Frank Doris was editing TAS and Michael Fremer was writing, there was a crackle of electricity to TAS that no audio magazine has had before or since, and HP was a sideshow. An interesting and sometimes informative sideshow, but the rest of the cast made greater contributions. NB I am not talking about myself, I wrote for TAS only at the end of the first regime, and for the first few years of AMM.
        
        I sincerely wish the best of luck to anyone trying to start an on dead trees audio magazine today. I don't think it can be done as a rational business model. That doesn't make me turn cartwheels of joy, but it seems to be the truth.
        
        Cheers,
        
        JM
        
        So it's really all about you - LOL! (nt) - mkuller 13:33:37 02/04/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I hear what you are saying, but, the marketplace has spoken. posted by John Marks on February 04, 2008 at 08:38:47
        
        (nt)
        
        Huh? - John Marks 14:53:15 02/04/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: So it's really all about you - LOL! (nt) posted by mkuller on February 04, 2008 at 13:33:37
        
        Huh?
        
        I never said it was all about me.
        
        I am saying that I am a if not the type of the target customer for TAS, and it's a non-sale, which is not something I'd say about Hi-Fi +.
        
        JM
        
        [Sigh] nt - clarkjohnsen 12:00:47 02/04/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I hear what you are saying, but, the marketplace has spoken. posted by John Marks on February 04, 2008 at 08:38:47
        
        s
        
        " ... reduced to the role of icons." - Dave Pogue 04:20:41 02/04/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by galnat on February 04, 2008 at 02:12:39
        
        I kinda like that :-)
        
        mr. pedant! c'mon! - luigi22 14:43:15 02/03/08 (11)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 07:29:56
        
        'jejeune'? and don't even try with 'it's a typo'.
        
        OK! It's just like the Pork Pig witticism! That may help me remember. - John Marks 08:44:35 02/04/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: mr. pedant! c'mon! posted by luigi22 on February 03, 2008 at 14:43:15
        
        Je-june.
        
        n. P-porky P-pig's f-favorite m-month.
        
        # # #
        
        Goo-goo good one! nt - clarkjohnsen 12:02:20 02/04/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: OK! It's just like the Pork Pig witticism! That may help me remember. posted by John Marks on February 04, 2008 at 08:44:35
        
        z
        
        :) (nt) - luigi22 16:08:06 02/04/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Goo-goo good one! nt posted by clarkjohnsen on February 04, 2008 at 12:02:20
        
        .
        
        No pay = no sleep-on and no spell-check - John Marks 18:00:33 02/03/08 (7)
        
        In Reply to: RE: mr. pedant! c'mon! posted by luigi22 on February 03, 2008 at 14:43:15
        
        I burnish every word for Stereophile. Not for AA.
        
        Truth is, I have a terrible memory and I can't spell; I am alway fooled by homonyms and cognates. And I didn't look either of those up.
        
        I type "by ear," and I often find I type a homonym.
        
        Live with it.
        
        Anyway, Jordin Sparks sang well enough for the Super Bowl, but someone should really take her aside and convince her that she doesn't need to yodel, it is so "Ghost Riders in the Sky."
        
        JM
        
        "I often find I type a homonym." So do you ever speak a homophone? nt - clarkjohnsen 00:41:13 02/04/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: No pay = no sleep-on and no spell-check posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 18:00:33
        
        f
        
        "You can homeapigeon, and you can homealoan... - David W. Robinson 09:44:25 02/06/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: "I often find I type a homonym." So do you ever speak a homophone? nt posted by clarkjohnsen on February 04, 2008 at 00:41:13
        
        ...but you need context to parse your homophone."
        
        --Probably anonymous
        
        ;-)
        
        david
        
        Buddy, are you homophonic? (Don't tell!) nt - clarkjohnsen 12:23:03 02/07/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: "You can homeapigeon, and you can homealoan... posted by David W. Robinson on February 06, 2008 at 09:44:25
        
        z
        
        yeah right, 'live with it' - luigi22 19:56:14 02/03/08 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: No pay = no sleep-on and no spell-check posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 18:00:33
        
        if it was anyone else, i would would care not a whit. you? correcting everyone around here with that annoying tone? not a chance i'll ignore it.
        
        btw, homonyms and cognates? why not leave it at bad spelling? what language is 'jejeune'?
        
        nice try with the jordin sparks deflection too.
        
        RE: yeah right, 'live with it' - Ted Smith 20:27:00 02/03/08 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: yeah right, 'live with it' posted by luigi22 on February 03, 2008 at 19:56:14
        
        Howdy
        
        I actually like writers who attempt to be more precise and don't dumb down their writing to the lowest common denominator...
        
        -Ted
        
        i agree... - luigi22 21:50:57 02/03/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: yeah right, 'live with it' posted by Ted Smith on February 03, 2008 at 20:27:00
        
        but again, john marks can sound really grating with his 'lessons', hence my pleasure.
        
        I was rather relieved - Bruce Kendall 19:35:17 02/03/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: No pay = no sleep-on and no spell-check posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 18:00:33
        
        that she didn't attempt to turn it into a gospel song.
        
        It is incredibly difficult... - mkuller 12:27:04 02/03/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 07:29:56
        
        ...to make a profit publishing a special interest magazine.
        It takes an *average of 5* years for a new, successful magazine to become profitable. In recent history, Maxim was the exception to that rule and turned a profit in about 2 years.
        Word has it that the current owners of TAS have not made a profit yet in 7+ years.
        When I look back over the landscape from the late-1970s forward littered with failed audio publications, there were many that were well financed but failed nonetheless. Perhaps the owners didn't have the patience and fortitude to stick it out that long.
        I can still recall those days in the late-1970s when I looked forward to receiving Stereophile, TAS and even the Audio Critic, but they were published so irregularly that sometimes it was 6 months or more between issues.
        You named Stereo Review, Audio, Tom's Play, Listener and Myle's Ultimate Audio as some of the publications you miss - here are a few others that didn't make it:
        The Audio Critic (went sideways after a 7 year break, now internet)
        IAR (went internet)
        Audio Horizons
        Audio Alternatives
        High Performance Review
        Sounds Like
        Fi
        And still limping along:
        Audiophile Voice (the editor told me he can survive on 5000 subscribers)
        Sensible Sound
        I'm sure there are others I've neglected to mention.
        We should embrace Stereophile and TAS (such as it is) and enjoy them while we can.
        When they're gone we'll look back on today fondly as 'the good old days' of audio review publications.
        
        Edits: 02/03/08 02/03/08
        
        RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins - Myles B. Astor 10:13:04 02/03/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 07:29:56
        
        John,
        
        About the music section and reviews. The funny thing is that people such as Larry Klein actually had ears back in the early days of the mag. Look at a list of his top sounding LPs (Connoissuer Society, Mercury, Elektra, some great DGGs, etc) and one would be amazed. Makes one wonder what happened to his ears down the line though?
        
        Myles
        Myles B. Astor
        
        RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins - rdf 08:58:09 02/03/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: My guess is that most audio writers have ruined a few napkins posted by John Marks on February 03, 2008 at 07:29:56
        
        "AUDIO magazine was a great magazine, in its day."
        
        Today's mags are just starting to approach Audio's tech chops when Heyser was on staff. On the other hand, I won't miss BV Pisha's bi-annual review of the Shure V15 or Jon and Sally Tiven's sophomoric music reviews.
- "I suspect he's tolerating it" I expect he is chaffing at it. nt - Norm 07:11:18 02/02/08 (0)
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