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Interesting way of begging for money, although his reviews are good for a laugh. Be sure to read his review of the Hafler DH-120, make note of his recomendation.
Edits: 08/25/14Follow Ups:
He purchased a couple pair of the Stax headphones he reviewed from my Ebay auctions. Always asked a lot of questions. Don't remember if I ended them on a Monday morning :)
First in terms of asking for money that is a big site with no ads. There is a lot of content. It took someone a lot of time and surely the bandwidth he uses comes at a cost. I don't have a problem with people asking for donations.
Now to the Hafler review. Well it is very detailed. Did you see all the content? It obviously took many hours to compile the data and write and post it. I'd guess 10-15 hours minimum just for this review. Now to the "recommendation" section the OP said to look at:
"""When my used DH-120 arrived in 2014, one of the feet had unscrewed, leaving a nut rattling around inside. Be sure to check the external screws and tighten them if needed when you get yours."""
Helpful, can't find anything wrong with that
"""There is little to no real difference in audible power output between 60W and 100W and 250W."""
Because he uses the phrase "audible power output" I would agree mostly with this. As some to many of us know going from 60 to 120 watts will only yield an additional 3db and most of us would consider that as little.
Going from 60-250 watts just a bit over 6db. So how much is that really when most listen at somewhere between 85-100dB? Not much like he says. He is saying "audible power output" not sound quality.
"""In each case, it's only one or two clicks of a volume control between each. Most people don't realize that amplifiers almost never have to put out their maximum power; most of the time at normal levels you're using one watt or less."""
As a long time audio dealer I always had at least one system with power meters that showed 1-10 watts provided plenty of sound through almost every loudspeaker. The majority of people that took this demo were surprised how little power was actually needed and being used.
""" You only get close to maximum when you play your system at deafening levels, and when you do, there isn't much difference between the different power levels."""
Well it takes a lot of power to get to 105db or more with the vast majority of speakers. Yes I know how efficient some speakers are....OSHA says its permissible to have one hour of exposure at that level per day. I like to have some loud levels and use a lot of power and believe in headroom which are all reasons to have high power levels in w/ my 91dB speaker system.
"""This is why amp makers took off the power meters they used to feature back in this day: people quickly realized they never used more than a watt or two, even when played loud."""
Not many ever had power meters and clipping indicators are largely gone now too which would be useful to many. I disagree that a watt or two will give most people what they consider loud.
"""With most of today's non-classical music, the peaks and dynamic extremes have been filtered out anyway, so no longer do we need high peak power for contemporary popular music"""
I think over 95% would agree with this too. We see plenty of posts on loudness wars on this board. So look at the Hafler DH120 review. It is very large, long and took a lot of effort. The recommendations are not bad in my opinion and perhaps many here know the info but many do not. I can't tell you how many people I sold high power gear to because they requested it yet the never use anywhere near half of that power.
I don't care for most older solid state gear but if you could get one of these for $100 or so that would be better than most of the new shit being peddled today for under $1000. (not all) There are a lot of people including here in AA that prefer less expensive older or vintage gear and this review will help them. I wouldn't want one myself.
The phrase pick your battles comes to mind as I see most of this info on the Hafler as good info where someone took a lot of time and effort. Maybe the O.P. could clarify what he had a problem with specifically because I don't see it.
ET
The reason I referred to the "recommendation" was, I saw none. What is the basis of his recommendation? The first line said:
"The DH-120 is a great amplifier. For about $100 used today (see How to Win at eBay), it is far superior to most new amplifiers costing far more."
Other paragraphs that you commented on, a lesson on audible output power and the pros & cons of meters. Not much info there. What does it sound like? IMO that is the most important question a review or recommendation needs to address.
In the author's mind, he might think the DH-120 is a great amp, however I think the "far superior" remark is silly, just like other statements he makes in other articles and reviews.
Scroll up and look at the post I made on August 31. I copied part of his advise about selling on eBay - Closing Times - More silly stuff. The more I read on his site the more I discover, remember it is just my opinion. I am NOT looking for donations, nor am I planning on making one anytime soon.
z
All a "music lover" needs is a digital radio and some rat-shack mini speakers. If so, what does a "music lover" need his advice for? He's already given it.
Observe, before you think. Think before you open your yap. Act on the basis of experience.
And the website is full of readable content.
The folks here at AA seem to take his rant against 'audiophiles' personally.
...what is it you agree with?
And while it may be readable, it's not about anything I'm interested in - 30 year old amp, some headphones and a few other oddities he owns.
Donate to me instead.
Well, for one thing, some of his diatribe against audiophiles rings true...like they don't seem to realise that what they're hearing happens between the ears, and half the time, all kinds of things besides what's actually in the equipment is affecting the 'sound they hear' - looks, preconceived opinions, buyer's remorse based on the price, buyer's need to rationalise a purchase, confirmation bias, etc, some received wisdom on the internet, etc.
And the need to 'upgrade' all the time, like a bunch of equipment junkies. Meanwhile the pleasure in the music goes by the wayside.
And, of course, most reviewers are basically paid equipment junkies who can't get enough of the lastest and greatest. Which has nothing to do with music.
I'm not quoting him, just the basic direction.
I read a review of the Musical Fidelity M series amplifier, seemed OK to me and well written.
So what's the problem with reviewing old stuff? Some of it sounds as good as good as the new stuff, and costs less.
Didn't say I was contributing to his site. Probably on the whole better idea to contribute to this site.
Cheers
if one is provided. ;)
and he's held in equal disregard there.His site is basically a money scam but he's been at it a while with the camera reviews. He manages his Search Engine Optimization (SEO) well enough to rank reasonably high on Google Search.
See link below: Not a bad search ranking (number four) for a Bozo.
Edits: 08/29/14
-- to wit.
all the best,
mrh
Sure does, now he also shows us how to buy & sell on eBay. Here is a taste:
Closing Times
End your items early Monday morning (Pacific), or late morning (Eastern).
eBay says they are busiest on Sunday night, but that's simply because so many pro sellers choose to end their auctions then. These sellers lack the web statistics I have, which show me that the busiest time online for people buying photo gear is Monday, during their work day.
Old people (born before 1980) confuse the Internet with television. Back in the 1950s, whole families sat around and watched Lawrence Welk. "Prime Time" was Sunday night at 8PM. The Internet has nothing to do with TV. Prime selling time on the Internet is Monday during office hours.
The slowest time on the internet, as far as researching and buying cameras goes, is Sunday. Women know that anytime their man in on the computer he's probably looking at porn, so he's always guilty, and avoids doing it when the woman is around. That's why men do most Internet viewing at work, when the boss doesn't take it as personally as does the woman.
eBay probably tries to trick people into closing on Sunday night because the rest of Internet is quietest, so people are less likely to have traffic issues.
If you close Sunday night, guess what: I'm probably busy trying to sneak away from my family trying to bid on someone else's auction, not yours. Why close your auction in competition with a zillion others, when you can have my undivided attention during my work day?
eBay is busiest Sunday night because that's when most auctions close, not because that's the smartest time to close auctions for photo gear.
Why is Monday busiest? Because people haven't been on it all weekend.
People, at least those with jobs who are most likely to be the winning bidder on your item, spend the least amount of time on the Internet on their weekends when they can be doing something fun, and the most amount of time on the Internet doing personal business when they get into work on Monday morning.
Other online organizations concur: their busiest online sales days are Mondays.
Pick a time when your buyers in every US time zone can be at their computers to place their wining highest bids.
People have meetings which start on the hour, so have your listing close a few minutes before the hour.
Pick about 0:54, and choose an hour where people in Pacific and Eastern times are around.
I'd choose 9:54 AM Pacific, which is 12:54 PM Eastern. This lets everyone in California get into work, and bid on your listing before their first 10 AM meeting. Likewise, people in the Eastern and Central Time zones can do it over lunch.
Any earlier, and Californians aren't at work yet.
Any later, and Californians are in their 10 AM meetings, while New Yorkers are in their afternoon meetings.
Never, ever have an item close at some time that is convenient for you, but not for your bidders. The best way to get the worst price is to close a listing at 8AM Eastern, when your bidders are still walking into their offices, and no one in California has gotten up yet.
Never end listings on weekends. Sure, people could get to their computers, but they are more likely to be busy with family. Remember, the guys with the bucks and who will bid highest probably have families, fun and other obligations on their weekends. eBay sellers enjoy spending time with their computers, but not buyers. Guys living with their parents may be free at all hours, but for photo gear, they probably aren't your highest bidders.
Do what you want, but years of statistics show me that office hours on Mondays is when most people are researching and making their photo purchases from their offices.
Don't worry too much. As one full-time pro seller pointed out to me, you can't analyze too much, because a lot of this is just chance for any given listing. Just make sure the auction closes at a time people can be at their computers, not 3AM.
when he writes: "I thank God I'm not an audiophile; those weirdos hate music . . ."
There has to be at least an iota of truth in that statement before I become even the tiniest bit offended.
It reads like this guy was once an audiophile, then did something underhanded that caused the audiophile world to turn on him, whereby he vowed revenge against audiophiles from then on by losing his listening skills and attacking those who retained them. Hmmm....
Or he just got the s**t beat out of him by an audiophile.
He never achieved his goal - may he rest in peace.
Marginalize the high end...
...that disagreeable codger Peter Aczel... who probably satisfies both of my options.
Do you object to his opinions on audio or the fact he is trying to earn a living by asking for donations on the interweb?
Edits: 08/26/14
Sorry counselor, I will not be participating in your cross examination.
(nt)
Interesting...
it appears that the last entry was2012?
Click his review link for recent reviews, the Hafler DH-120 is quite funny, especially the recommendation section.
Though a self proclaimed "music lover" and "thank God I'm not an audiophile type, he completely misses the boat with the joys of server based music:
"Get a great DAC if you've got computer stuff to enjoy, but don't waste your time futzing with computer equipment and music software when you can just buy CDs and enjoy the music itself instead of fiddling with stereo gear. God help us that some people waste time fiddling on their computers just to get music; half the reason the general public loves the CD over LP is simple convenience and never having to align a cartridge, flip an album or clean records or worry about wearing them out. "
The poor SOB will never understand the beauty and convenience of playing anything in your digital library across multiple systems quickly and in whatever order you please - without having to futz around locating, loading, playing, unloading and putting up CDs every single time. I hope he has a backup plan for supporting his growing family.
Just another dip shit that in his mind is entitled to support his "growing family" doing what he wants to do.
Boo Hoo Rockwell. Like I suggested to the editor of 6 moons last month; Do as George Thorogood says in one of his songs - "Get a haircut, and get a real job!"
........I was a vegetarian for 15 minutes... until the main course.
An absolute know nothing.
...must be Peter Aczel's replacement.
A non-audiophile know-it-all.
mike, i was thinking more like Arthur Salvatore. now THERE' an exspurt!
...regards...tr
Don't knock him: He claims he makes enough to quit his day job ....
That ain't bad
...looks like his day job was selling photos at street fairs.Now he has an anti-audio website and reviews a few headphones, a 30 year old amplfier and other assorted oddities.
He says CDs have provided perfect sound for 30 years.
He reminds me of the panhandler by the freeway on ramp with a sign that says "Please Help Ken Rockwell" - some of those guys make enough money to quit their day jobs, too.
Edits: 08/27/14
Was correct.
just goes to show you can find support for any opinion on the net. It has truly become the voice of the lowest common denominator.
"He says CDs have been provided perfect sound for 30 years."
And I didn't think his credibility could erode any further after he wrote:
"I thank God I'm not an audiophile; those weirdos hate music . . ."
...who his target market is.
First why would anyone care what he posts?
Then why would they contribute money to him?
Maybe I should quit my day job and give it a try...
willing to pay for an online review of a 30 year old Hafler!From some random interwebs person with zero credibility.
Hopefully, this cat's Ferrari mechanic is willing to work in exchange for free reviews!
Edits: 08/27/14
positively gripping results on 1993 Sony CDP-X303ES from one week ago?
I love mine. There are plenty of great CD players out there from which to choose, and the CDP-X303ES is a good one.
Maybe for his next installment, he can review my 1987 Sony TC-FX430 cassette deck!
when you come to the realization that CDs recorded with ADC technology from 1984 achieved "perfect sound forever".
Here's the similarly gripping conclusion from tomorrow's (!) review of the Hafler:
I've been using mine for over 35 years to drive everything to my Quad ESL, ESL-63 and B&W 801. For about $125 used today, it is far superior to most new amplifiers costing far more.
That would explain why he thinks 30 yr old CDs (and by extension, 30 yr old ADCs) achieved "perfect sound forever".
I was noting that he only reviews his own stuff. The very pinnacle of objectivity. :)
As I suspect he's close to broke, I'd like to donate some advice... "Hey Ken? Get a job!" :)
...why he hasn't posted anything since 2012.
Maybe he went back to his day job.
No, Rockwell has posted since 2012. Actually, his last review was posted 21 August 2014.
-----
"A fool and his money are soon parted." --- Thomas Tusser
...are you a fan?
Maybe you donated?
Hopefully, he hasn't lost his comic-gold touch:
"Philips dubbed the Compact Disc as "Perfect Sound Forever," and they weren't kidding. My 30-year-old CDs still sound incredible, and lost to history after video replaced music in the late 1980s for most people's home entertainment is that CDs still offer the best possible sound today, still representing a completely transparent window to the original recording. "
Who are your recommendations for audio reviewers?
In no particuler order, I like Anthony Cordesman, Dick Olsher, John Atkinson, Jeff Dorgay, Michael Mercer, Harry Pearson off the top of my head, I also enjoy owner's reviews.
I have been an avid subscriber to TAS & Stereophile since 1993 to present.
Additionally, I have been a subscriber to HiFi+ and HiFi News & Record Review since 2009 to present. Lastly, I enjoy The Daily Audiophile website.
...I'm old school and only read the paper publications so I'm not very familiar with the ezine writers.
In Stereophile, I like most of the reviewers except Art Dudley - his tastes are a little different than mine.
Paul Bolin and Bob Reina are a couple of my favorites.
In TAS, I like Neil Gader and Steven Stone who I worked with when I was there.
The key is finding someone who has similar "biases" in music reproduction.
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