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In Reply to: RE: Three true audio stories! Do you have any? posted by RealStereo on September 11, 2016 at 19:56:23
More Stories:In the 90's I met a person that worked for many years at Magnepan. He had fond memories from afternoons listening to speakers for evaluation (like other employees) in the lab. He remembers that Jim Winey had tight control over decisions, and caused lots of delays because he could not be found for sign offs, and was at home studying (not drinking) wine. He recalls the worst ever speakers returned for rebuild, was a set of badly beat up Tympani's owned by country singer Willie Nelson.
A story from the internet, was an employee at ARC had an operation that, after insurance, left him with a $30,000 bill. Bill Johnson felt sorry for him, and wrote him a personal check for $30,000. What a kind man!
I also met Frank VanAlstine at Macintosh user groups, and the local audio club. He was a little boisterous and opinionated, but nice. He modified Dynaco audio, the ARC SP3a, and Magnepans by putting clay globs on strategic spots, to improve the sound ( LOL). He also was a car racer. Good audio for not high dollars.
Met Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere also. Posts all over the internet, and is an expert in audio. Has been around a long time with fanatic followers. A great person.
Also talked to James Bongiorno over the phone several times, when I bought a Son of Ampzilla 2000. Liked his designs (GAS, Sumo Electric, and Spread Spectrum Technologies). He was abrasive and opinionated. Tried to order another Son of Ampzilla 2000, and he said he was having tests for a lung transplant and had not sold anything for months. I had sent a check for $3500 (he cut me a deal). Two days later he called, and told me he would change my order, and hold my money for a new amp, to be called Ampzilla Forever. I was suspicious, and figured he would be dead, and it would be forever before I received it. The next day I called the bank and put a BLOCK on the check! Several days later, he left me a voicemail with many swear words. A few weeks later he died!
Edits: 09/12/16Follow Ups:
The story was mostly true. I posted twice apparently. See the actual story about Bill Johnson & ARC in my post below.
Best regards,
Jim Smith
Edits: 09/12/16 09/12/16
Almost correct. In early 1977, I had only been at ARC a few months when our third child was born 13 weeks premature. We (my wife and me) did not have insurance for childbirth at ARC, let alone the cost of three months in the preemie ward.
The bill was $30,000.
Bill did pay it for us.
I will never forget it.
Best regards,
Jim Smith
Jim, if you ever want to pass it forward, I am in need.
faith in humility is once again restored.
Edits: 09/13/16
(nt)
On the other hand you would have had insurance. Good story.
If he had been employed for "only a few months" at that mythical Fortune 500 company their insurance company would most likely not have covered the premature birth and resulting preemie hospital care claiming "pre-existing conditions".
Bill Johnson was a saint!
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