|
Home
/ FAQ
/ News Classifieds / Events |
Audio Asylum Thread Printer |
Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
85.5.78.118
| '); } else { document.writeln(''); } } else { document.writeln(''); } } else { document.writeln(''); } } // End --> |

John Potis was a long-working passionate reviewer for SoundStage!, 6moons and Positive Feedback. He passed away yesterday. Those who've enjoyed his contributions over many years will remember him well. And those who believe that life doesn't end with the expiry of the body might enjoy knowing that whatever thoughts and prayers they send to John now will still reach him in what the Tibetans call the Bardo states, i.e. the intermediate states any soul must pass immediately after death.
So send him your best and kindest thoughts and feelings; and from all of us at 6moons, we wish him light-filled sojourns in the great beyond!
Its under his fav. discoveries of 2008.
Frederic had a nice little write about things and perspective lately in 6 moons,kinda tied pertinent things together in this hobby and elsewhere,where specifically i don't remember,look around ,you should be able to find it.
Finally, an appropriate, well-written goodbye to a missed reviewer--with an interesting side-line on Six Moon's pretentious nonsense.
Mr. Stern, I'd consider myself blessed if I have someone write me a eulogy such as this!
WOW!! I hadn't heard, just sent him an email a few days ago asking how's he's doing after not hearing from a previous email, now I understand. I'm really upset, John and I go way back to the audio forum on Compuserve. And we've remained close email friends all this time. Last yr. I went to Baltimore to finally meet him and his very nice family, and to hear his horned speakers and the Tidal Audio Piano (which I decided to buy later as well as Canary amps). He was as nice and personable in person as online; yes he could be opinionated, but always had a reasonable explanation for his opinions...which I always respected. He never let me know either of the severity of the cancer. I understand why though. I'm going to miss him terribly as he was my main "go to man" for any audio question. Im going to miss all the recipes he shared with me over the years, and mostly, I feel awful for his lovely wife and two girls.I'm really going to miss him....a sad day for the audio world!
Chris Glanton
(And I too would like to know if there's a contribution fund for him and his family as I'm sure his wife and girls will need all/any help we can offer them)
Edits: 01/12/09
very sorry to read that, Srajan. I really liked John, we exchanged e-mails occasionally, but had no idea he was not well.
sad news. very sad.
Srajan Ebaen said "In retrospect, he must have already been dealing with his medical condition and was likely even more uncompromising than usual to follow his own light."
I find this last dig at Mr. Potis over your parting in poor taste and just a touch self-righteous.
RIP, Mr. Potis; thanks for the fine reviews!
anf if you happen to live a long life, your hearing goes to hell.
The older you get, the more often on a daily basis it becomes important to examine *priorities and time expenditures. No price can be put on the time increments in our human lifetime, since we don't know what that timespan is.
Can't recall being involved in any Asylum threads with John Potis but after spending a few minutes reading some of his posts I think it would certainly have been fun.One of the many positive aspects of forums such as this is that characters may pass away, but they leave behind a legacy of views, opinions, statements and general banter which can be accessed for years to come by anyone who wants to remember.
No doubt his children will one day have a chuckle reading some of the exchanges he had online, preserved for posterity in the asylum archives.
Best Regards,
Chris redmond.
Edits: 12/24/08
He was way too young and we say that too often with Cancer. I never spoke to him I don't believe but I have read his reviews. My sincerest regrets go out to his friends and family.
Though I'd only met John through his reviews and a brief but intense correspondence, I found him a cheery and informative fellow--about audio and about cuisine. We wrote back and forth about Canary amps, shrimp in coconut milk with chilis, and Sancerre and Sauterne wines. I'm so saddened that he's gone. It was a delight to read his reviews whenever they appeared, wherever they appeared.
Malama pono,
Garrett
I enjoyed his reviews and comments in the various publications that were blessed with his presence. I'll miss him. My heart goes out to his family.
Over the years John and I became pretty good email buddies. We tried to become telephone buddies, but time zone differences, personal obligations and career challenges nipped that in the bud. Our emails covered a vast array of topics, everything from personal issues to politics to audio and every so often we'd dissect one of his reviews or a review written by someone else.In terms of family life and politics, John and I didn't have much in common; however, we did share a mutual respect for the opinions of others, so this made for some lively and very candid discussions. I was surprised sometimes by his take on things as I am sure he was often surprised by mine. ("No John, Art's column was not just about him rounding up horses who decided to launch into a game of catch me if you can. The horse story was just a detour.")
One day this last September I returned home from a visit with a urologist who had just told me he suspected I had prostate cancer. I've dealt with cancer before and know all of the wrong ways to deal with it, so I immediately resolved to handle things with a bit more elegance this time around. I opened up my email and found one from John, and he informed me of his diagnosis. I launched into my positive-attitude cheerleader routine in hopes that I could help him avoid some of my prior mistakes.
I made it a point to followup and ask how he was feeling and what kind of progress was being made, but after awhile he didn't seem to want to talk about those issues at all. Now I understand why......things were much worse than he led me to believe in his email. But that's okay, we still enjoyed a colorful debate on the preparedness of Bill Clinton to assume the presidency as compared to that of Sarah Palin.
John, when you get to where you are going you need to get a local phone book and look up my old friend Bob Crump. He's supposed to be setting up a special commune for audiophiles in the afterlife, but if I know him he was sidetracked by some heavenly Italian restaurant. You can remind him about what he is supposed to be doing and help keep him focused. I'm sure the two of you will get along just fine.
![]()
Edits: 12/23/08
Mr.Kendall,What A beautiful tribute.Be well !!
Unfortunately, this is bad news in during what should be a happy time. I first corresponded with John during the course of my audition, and ultimate purchase, of the Gallo Reference 3.1. He was very forthcoming in his opinions and analysis, and proved a valuable resource.
We later exchanged e-mails during the time frame of his posts here at the Asylum of which Ms. Ebaen wrote, following my words of support of him here in response to some postings from Mr. Darby in which I felt Mr. Darby inappropriately personally attacked Mr. Potis. Mr. Potis graciously privately thanked me for his support.
While I think some may have thought that he came on a little strong during that time, his regular private e-mails to me convinced me that his actions were motivated to protect the reputation of the audio writing community and maintain its reputation from others who suggested that there was funny business taking place. In retrospect, I think he was right to do what he did. He saw the issues before I did, and was willing to sacrifice his position for his opinions and defense of the industry. I am not sure what else one can ask for in a writer.
He graciously came to my defense in a squabble with a PFO writer, clearly returning what he considered to be a favor. Although we did not regularly correspond, I shall miss knowing that he is there. As others have written, that he leaves a wife and two children further compounds the loss. We've lost an internet friend and reviewer, they have lost a father and husband.
Thanks for the kind posting, Srajan.
I got the news from Chip Stern yesterday a.m., right after John had passed away. We were all shocked at the news, though not surprised. John had kept the PFO clan aware of the initial cancer diagnosis, and of the progress of the very aggressive treatment that was used to try to save his life. He was optimistic, though, and expected to overcome his disease.
Through it all, John showed humor, courage, and a fighting spirit. To have lost such a talented writer and reviewer at such a young age...John was only 49...is a real tragedy. That he leaves behind a wife and two daughters simply compounds the sorrow.
We loved working with John here at PFO, and salute the passing of a member of our community.
I shall miss him.
david
The reviewing community, heck the audiophile community in general, loses a fine writer and person. Whether or not you may have always agreed with him, he was shy about expressing his opinion. He'll be greatly missed. All my heartfelt good wishes go out to the most important thng in John's life - his family.
We'll misss you John.
Just my (adjusted for inflation) $2
John Crossett___
It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.
So sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences to his family.
I greatly enjoyed his reviews and the few email correspondences over the years. The audio reviewing world has lost a unique and valued voice.
John Potis helped me secure my first position as an audio reviewer with Ultra Audio. As with John Atkinson, many of my exchanges with him were heated and occasionally unpleasant, but it was impossible not to admire his passion for music, his commitment to fair and honest reviewing, and his desire to spread far and wide the joy he took in the contribution that music in the house could make to a rich family life and more generally to a life well lived. His was. Sadly, John leaves behind a beautiful wife and two lovely young daughters. If someone learns where contributions in his name can be made, please post. Thank you.
> As with John Atkinson, many of my exchanges with him were heated and
> occasionally unpleasant...
Just to clarify, my email exchanges with John Potis were never
unpleasant, just heated.
> but it was impossible not to admire his passion for music, his
> commitment to fair and honest reviewing, and his desire to spread far
> and wide the joy he took in the contribution that music in the house
> could make to a rich family life and more generally to a life well lived.
Amen to that sentiment.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
John Potis was one of my very first email correspondents regarding audio while I was a newbie audiophile. That was more than 12 years ago. He wasn't a reviewer back then but I was not surprised that he ended up reviewing audio gear considering his skills as a writer, teacher, listener and passionate music lover. Carmina Burana is one of the many wonderful music that I discovered thanks to John. I have not kept in touch with him lately since our tastes and opinions have widely diverged through the years. Still, it warmed my heart to read his reviews knowing that he is well and enjoying music. I am saddened that John has passed away. This is so unexpected and so soon. Please relay my condolences to his family.
Rest in Peace wherever you are John.
Very sorry to hear that, my sincere condolences
Sad news, Srajan. Thank you for letting us know.
While John and I had some heated email exchanges, his passion for music
and audio was never in doubt.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
Post a Followup: