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As many of you know, Ralph Karsten, the previous owner of AtmaSphere is having legal issues. Many customers/friends and dealers have offered assistance and wondered how they could help. Several members of the OTL user group have decided to put together the "Ralph Karsten Legal Fund" in order to raise some money to help Ralph through this tough time.
Ralph has helped many of us over the years and now he needs your help. If you would like to help Ralph out we have set up an account to collect money for his defense fund. All money donated will be used to help pay Ralph's legal fees and help him get his feet back on the ground.
I am not in the audio industry, I am just a long time friend of Ralph's who lives locally in St Paul. Member of the OTL User Group asked if I could administrate the fund since I am local, and I was glad to help out. He is aware of the effort and appreciative of the support.
There are two donation options, you can send a check or MO made out to:
"Ralph Karsten Legal Fund" and send it to:
Ralph Karsten Legal Fund
CO Harry Straub
1144 Silverwood Rd
Woodbury, MN 55125or you can use Paypal, and I will deposit your donation into the fund. My Paypal is:
Harry@harrystraub.comIf you would prefer to keep your donation anonymous, please state that in your note or on Paypal and I will be the only one that knows that you contributed.
Please pass this information on to your local audio groups and anyone else that Ralph has helped over the years. This is a chance for us to help someone who has given a lot to this hobby that we love.
Follow Ups:
Thanks to so many of you who've offered to send money to the Fund. Harry Straub tells me he's received funds via PayPal and he's heard from others that a check is in the mail. Many thanks for your gracious support for Ralph.
On the contrary, this is a very worthwhile cause. Choose to support it or not, that's a choice each of us have.
Mr. Karsten would not have signed a contract unless it was for personal gain. That he did not see any and all future possibilties is irrelevant.
Go ahead and fill out all the lines on your check except the pay to line. Then find a suitable charity that helps the less fortunate and fill in the pay to line with their name. The less fortunate didn't sign on the line for personal gain.
That is all.
piss on him, i'v supported audio in general for 30 years, And Iam sure, You think any one of them in the mfg bussiness would ever offer me the money I want.And to think to burn big cash on some dumb ass attorney.
pro-bono is the real answer,
pretty soon you'll be begging to support the other dirty rat @ tara "crime doesn't pay"
I generally find it best to be better informed BEFORE making ridiculous comments
about subjects that they don't know much about.
There are those of US who do know that we are blessed to have
been touched by someone as great Ralph Karsten . . .
...Perhaps you should give Harry and Mark a call. I am sure they are dying to hire people with your particular bent (...and dimness of reason). As they not only sacked Ralph, but from most reports Ralph's production people were all sacked as well. They'll need lots of yes-men such as yourself to fill the shoes of the artisans which were eliminated.Sounds as though you might be a perfect addition to the new 'company'.
(And may God help anyone who risks the purchase of 'new and improved Atma' products built by such a league of monkeys.)
Harry, thanks for doing this for Ralph.
v
another way to help would be to buy a copy of Ralph's new Compact Disc.
I've read through all the background on this, and I'm still confused...Who is driving Ralph and Atma-Sphere out, and why? Person? Company? Motivation?
I've read stuff like "hostile takeover" and "non-compete agreements," I just think we should get the specifics in regard to what led to this.
If I was to donate to this fund, I personally wouldn't know why, aside from the fact I'm trying to help save a high-end audio company and founder in legal trouble.
Todd, this is all very confusing and it should never be happening. RodM's reply to another post a little further down might help you gain some clarity.
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/349403.html
Hi All, I too have been concerned about the fate of Atma-sphere and Ralph. Although I don't own any Atma stuff, I've long been monitoring the ASOG and have sometimes posted. And a few years back I stopped off in St. Paul and paid a visit to Wheeler street and Ralph's operation. There he was very cordial and enthusiastic showing me around and demonstrating his equipment. Even though it must have been obvious I wasn't there to purchase on the spot, Ralph went out of his way to make me welcome. What I came away with was a real respect for someone who was going his own way in creating a space outside the usual "business model" where honest quality and a certain commitment to aesthetics as ethics could flourish. And, of course, the gear was fantastic. Now it seems all that has has been brought down by sheer insensitivity if not outright jelousy and greed. One need look no further than the Glacier Audio website to see how far Harry Blazer and company are from St Paul; and I'm not talking about geography. I don't know what these people were thinking when they moved in on Atma-Sphere but obviously they had no respect for the core values of Ralph and Company. Actually I selfishly feel like something has been taken from me: the dream of owning, one day, an Atma-Sphere Music System. I wouldn't buy so much as a resistor from Mr. Blazer no matter what the justification for his behavior happens to be. A short time ago there was a happy little community built around Ralph Karsten and his modest dream. What's left of that now? I'm sorry I don't have money to give to the legal fund; I wish I did. However I do have a suggestion and that is to ask Steve at Enjoy the Music and Sarjan at 6Moons to post a notice of the fund on their websites. Not only would this put Ralph's plight before the public in a way that could not be subject to Harry's attempt to sweep his actions under the table, but might even generate some contributions for the fund. The larger audiophile community should be made aware of what is going on. Perhaps if we can make enough noise Harry might come to realize what a pariah he is going to be. Without Ralph Karsten there is no Atma-Sphere. Trashing someones life's work is simply wrong. Regards to everyone, Dean
Dean,
I agree with you the 'dream of owning a Atma-sphere system'. I have also considering carrying them but the Canadian importer is not the most easiest person to deal with. Hence we have the dream of develop our own OTL.Now, I have another thought. Do we want the Atma-sphere name or Ralph's work? If we want to keep Ralph's work a live, Ralph can raise his own money. I am not sure that will raise another legal issue or not. Ralph can make his products and sell them to his supporters without putting any name on his product. This is like a loop hole backyard mechanic who is making his own kit vehicle and sell to neighbours. If he lose the legal battle, his supporters still have his work. If he win his battle, he then supplies his supporter with the new company name plate and serial number. This is kind of win-win to his supporters and him.
For those looking for an explanation or more information, I suggest you read through the posts under the following thread:
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/348213.htmlThe "What I was told" post in this thread has a capsule summary:
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/348582.htmlAt this time, Ralph's resources are very limited and he needs some assistance from us, the audio community that he has given so much of his life to. I am confident that Harry Straub will use whatever funds can be raised in ways that can best help Ralph: whether in support of legal expenses or to help him get Rendition Audio off the ground so he can once again be in a position to earn a living. Ralph has been a great friend to the audio community all over many years, and he is in need. If that can be enough to allow each of us to extend some support, to the extent we may individually be able to do so, we will be able to give some much needed help.
I'm appalled that Ralph would need a legal fund. Equally disturbing is that the Atma-Sphere User's Group has turned off their forum to avoid getting the truth out to the users.Anyway, we've decided to add a venue to support the OTL community. Here's the link:
.
Rod....It is indeed disturbing that the ASOG forum has been killed. ESPECIALLY disturbing is the fact that the forum was killed precisely at the time that the forum-members were beginning to organize this very legal defense fund about which we now speak.
If one does a WHOIS search on the ASOG domain name (otlamp.com) at NetworkSolutions, one will get the following response:
==============================
Registrant:
gilmore, mark
(UQVKACLGOI)
15040-A Reedley St.
Moorpark, CA 93021
US
Phone: 805-529-5581
Fax: 123 123 1234
Domain Name: OTLAMP.COM
Administrative Contact :
gilmore, mark
(UQVKACLGOI)
wb6rhq@sbcglobal.net
15040-A Reedley St.
Moorpark, CA 93021
US
Phone: 805-529-5581
Fax: 123 123 1234
Technical Contact :
Network Solutions, LLC. (HOST-ORG)
customerservice@networksolutions.com
13200 Woodland Park Drive
Herndon, VA 20171-3025
US
Phone: 1-888-642-9675
Fax: 571-434-4620==============================
(Incidently, I have noticed we have at least one inmate who, although making official statements in other venues on behalf of the 'new and improved Atma-Sphere' (snicker), is still listed here in the Asylum as an (A) member.)
For those still skeptical about Ralph's current plight, I think it speaks great volumes that there are so many hereabouts rallying around Ralph....and not a soul to carry the torch for his opposition.
...for creating the OTL Asylum and also for Audio Asylum in general, I truly appreciate your graciousness.
Is he trying to get his company back? I thought he agreed to "No Compete Clause"?
I agree with the question. And another, how did he can into the legal situation?
and in this case, there's only a bit of innuendo and third-hand rumor from one side, absolutely zero facts, and nothing of the other side.Not much on which to base a charitable fund, and far too many unanswered questions.
Did Karsten sell his company willingly or did someone have a gun to his head?
Presumably he got paid for his interest - where did that money go?
Why did he sign a non-compete, standard when owners sell, and now have a problem with it? Is he simply unwilling to honor what he signed? Did he not obtain sufficient advice to understand what he was signing?
What is the nature of his legal argument with the new owners? Is it about non-compete? Is it about purchase price?
On the Glacier website, there is a statement from September 16 concerning the acquisition of Atmasphere. In it, it says that Ralph voluntarily sold had an agreement whereby he was going to create and sell a "Signature" line of products. How can that be 'forced out'? Did Ralph decide to do something other than what he agreed to, and want to set up a direct competitor to the company he sold? If so, did he return the money he received for selling the company?
Look, nobody likes to see a guy down on his luck. But there are simply no facts here on which to base a fundraising drive on, and I'm surprised at the AA's blind endorsement. Maybe there is a need. Maybe there is another side to the rumors. Maybe Raplh is the one in the wrong.
Until some real facts and dialog on both sides emerges, I wouldn't send money into a vacuum.
nt
and in this case, there's only a bit of innuendo and third-hand rumor from one side, absolutely zero facts, and nothing of the other side.
That's always a problem with legal disputes. The parties are advised to remain silent by attornies.
Not much on which to base a charitable fund, and far too many unanswered questions.Unless you know the players and can read between the lines, I can understand your position.
Did Karsten sell his company willingly or did someone have a gun to his head?
Somewhat. Harry Blazer bought out Ralph's old partner. An interest was also given to Gilmore to make him a swing vote for the majority.
Presumably he got paid for his interest - where did that money go?
No, Ralph hasn't seen a dime.
Why did he sign a non-compete, standard when owners sell, and now have a problem with it? Is he simply unwilling to honor what he signed? Did he not obtain sufficient advice to understand what he was signing?
Compensation is nmissing from the equation. Whether the agreement is valid is up to the attornies. Let's say that Ralph was too trusting.
What is the nature of his legal argument with the new owners? Is it about non-compete? Is it about purchase price?
Both.
On the Glacier website, there is a statement from September 16 concerning the acquisition of Atmasphere. In it, it says that Ralph voluntarily sold had an agreement whereby he was going to create and sell a "Signature" line of products. How can that be 'forced out'? Did Ralph decide to do something other than what he agreed to, and want to set up a direct competitor to the company he sold? If so, did he return the money he received for selling the company?
Read between the lines. In my business, 'assigned to special projects' means 'fired'. I'd note the inconsistency here though. You say the news release says that he'll be working on a "Signature" line. Then we have questions about a non-compete. Which is it?
Look, nobody likes to see a guy down on his luck. But there are simply no facts here on which to base a fundraising drive on, and I'm surprised at the AA's blind endorsement. Maybe there is a need. Maybe there is another side to the rumors. Maybe Raplh is the one in the wrong.
We chose to make information available on this subject, but this should does not consitute an endosrement by The Asylum. However, knowing Ralph, I'd be so inclined personally.
but still not terribly enlightening about how Ralph got himself into this mess, or exactly what it is. Seems to me that, even if Ralph did get taken advantage of by some sharks (and if Gilmore is involved, that makes me tend to believe that) it still doesn't explain why Ralph couldn't get advice or put his signature on the line.But if, as you say, Ralph never saw a dime for his company - that is just plain wrong, and woud seem to me to make a non-compete completely unenforceable.
This letter that we vendors received is something brought up questions in my mind. For the sake of the brand, all this contorversy needs to be cleared up quickly by the principles. Legal wrangling will only benefit the attornies, prolong the speculation and result in destroying the company.
I've continued to hear about this from other contacts in the industry. I'm glad to have a chance to read it. Thanks for posting it.
You start the business, you retain control!
start with a large fortune.
it's too bad, but it seems that the financiers lord it over the technical brains every time.
FYI, Harry Blazer went bust in the high-end grocery business in Atlanta a few years ago. Now he's into the high-end audio business. Draw your own conclusions.
Yes, I second the request for explaining Karsten's problems to those of us that aren't aware of them. I wouldn't ask for support without at least a link to provide some explanation. I am an admirer of Karsten's innovative amplifiers and would like to help if I only knew what you're talking about
Is Ralph aware of this and approve of this idea? I would hate to see someone take advantage of the help that others would be willing to give Ralph in this situation. Please forgive me if this seems out of place, but i don't know Harry personally and i've never frequented the ASOG forums to be familiar with "regulars" of that forum. My lack of familiarity with those involved in this venture makes me somewhat leary even though i would be willing to contribute to such a fund. Can Ralph or someone else that i may be familiar with on the audio forums vouch for the legitimacy of this fund? I think that others may be in a similar situation and obtaining the "stamp of approval" may help the cause. Sean
>
knowing that he is a good and faithful friend to Ralph and quite sincere regarding his support.
nt
Sean, I don't know that I qualify as someone you'd know but I've posted here and at Audiogon under "Rushton" for a number of years. Harry Straub is a long time participant in the ASOG forums and a long time personal friend of Ralph's. Harry tells me that Ralph is aware of this Fund. Hopefully you will see posts in support of the Fund from other contributors to this forum with whom you're familiar.I am confident that Harry will administer the fund entirely and solely for Ralph's benefit, and that, as Harry said in a email to many of us from the ASOG forum: "rest assured every nickel will be used for Ralph's bills and will be used appropriately."
Thanks for raising a very good question.
---------
My profile on Audiogon:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr_memb.pl?aamps&1095818250&memb&zzRushton
Thank Rush, I appreciate the comments.
This fund was not my idea, nor did I ask to administrate it. I was asked by several memebers of the ASOG group based on Ralph's comments that he trusts me. Ralph is aware of the fund and very appreciate of the support.(hopefully he can post his support) Jack Williams is the creator of this fund, it was his idea, I am just the guy doing some of the local leg work(setting up the fund). 100% of the donated money will be used to support Ralph, I have personally picked up all the administrative fees(checks, account costs...).
As for those looking for information on 'why', I do not feel comfortable providing any information since it would all be second hand. Hopefully Ralph or the current AtmaSphere owners(or other involved parties) will be able to supply information that will clarify the situation. Legally, I do not know where that stands.Harry Straub
Hi Harry !!!!I finally figured out how to get my non-computer (WEBTV) to log on to this site---I think ??? Great post by the way! It looks like the word is going to get out that we need to put our money where are mouths are. The Ralph Karsten Legal Fund is a worthy cause is a classic example of the little guy trying to stand up to the giant. But with our help both financial and moral I know that we will over come. By the way----everyone should know that the fund would not have happened if Harry Straub had not done the leg work in setting it up---it is a hell of allot of work running all over town doing the paper work. Again, thanx Harry for your magnanamous genorosity !!!
People should know that we are going to make history with our support. Never to my knowledge in the past has their ever been a manufacture supported in this fashion by the end user of such a esoteric piece of equipment !!! Atma-sphere owners love their equipment and love the creator even more. We are going to see to it that it will survive.
So-----Guys----get out your check book and help Ralph get past this bump in the road.
nt
I'll drop a check in the mail early this week. Sean
>
this may provide more help in resolving the problems. After all, if the rogues that he is fighting go out of business then those often unethical "no-compete" agreements should be null and void. Then everyone regains their freedom.
Would you let us know what the nature of Ralph Karsten's legal problems are? The only thing I can find on the AA is an implication that he is now bound by a unfair non-compete agreement.
Harry,First of all, THANK YOU!
I am sure that despite the efforts of those trying to kill the discourse on the issue at ASOG or Audiogon, we still know which way the wind blows.
I want to be perfectly clear that this is not an issue that rose up one weekend, was quenched by the other side, and has died off. No sir! This is a true, grass roots campaign. Again, we all know what has gone on here. We are not going to sit idly by, and allow it. This much I promise everyone.
Whether Ralph is at AtmaSphere or wherever is irrelevant. When I say that the AtmaSphere ownership is a cultlike following, that is exactly what I mean. We are loyal to the man, not the name of a company. Ralph has our support, whatever company name he operates under is secondary to that. We will still be listening to OTL amplifiers, but understand that the destination of our money might be to a different company. This is a very tight knit community, one that has become mobilized, and will not continue to support an organization for the sake of its name. The word is out, and will continue to be heard.
I hope that the high end community sees that we are deadly serious. This issue will not go away with coercion.
Harry, this is an outstanding effort in support a man who has given so much to the industry and to our passion for music over the years. Thank you.I hope each of us will consider making a contribution of whatever amount our respective resources will allow. Whether we've ever owned a product created by Ralph Karsten, each of us can recognize Ralph as one of a very small creative and talented group who has advanced the state of the art in audio over the years, constantly pushing the envelope. For any of us who've ever spoken with Ralph, it's taken but a moment to recognize that his passion has been to serve music and to help bring forth, through his creations, the fun and joy of music.
At this time, Ralph needs our help and support. I hope he receives it broadly from this audiophile community of ours. Please consider contibuting whatever you can.
I'm curious what Ralph has done other than build an expensive line of amplifiers that cater to the upper echelon. There are a lot of other very talented audio engineers that have not only pushed the envelope but also truly given back to the audio community. Nelson Pass is one name that comes to mind.
This thread seems to be generating more heat than light, so let me tell you about my personal experiences with Ralph.Ten years ago I was a college student with more time on my hands than money. I had a pair of old quads and heard through magazine reviews, etc. that OTLs were a good match. I called up Atma-Sphere out of the blue one day and asked him if he would consider selling me just the parts and the schematic, since I didn't have the money to purchase an amp retail. Most manufacturers wouldn't have bothered even spending 5 minutes on the phone with someone in my position, but Ralph and I talked extensively, and the upshot of it is that he sent me the parts and the circuit diagram for little more than his wholesale cost.
Since I had never built a serious electronics project before, I ended up begging him for instructions. A couple months of badgering later, he and Bill Layer turned out a complete set of assembly instructions. And thus was born the Atma-Sphere M-60 amplifier kit. Scores (if not hundreds) of people who would never have had a chance to buy one of the OTLs were able to build their own from kits. Not just the parts and instructions, but also with the benefit of Ralph's 20 years of experience in designing and building OTLs. Whenever I had a question or an idea for an improvement, I would call up Ralph and ask him about it. Silver interconnect wire? Ralph had tried it. Pure copper speaker terminals? Ralph was free with his opinion. Soldering technique? Ralph gave me his tips.
It took me about six months from the time I got the parts to the time I finished the amplifier. During that period I probably called them up an average of once a week. In that whole time, Ralph NEVER turned down a call. He NEVER became exasperated. He was NEVER less than totally and completely helpful. Even after I finished the amplifier, Ralph continued to make his knowledge and expertise available. A few years ago I was interested in recording and was thinking about building a microphone. Ralph spent half an hour helping me understand microphone technology and the EE considerations involved in building one.
Oh, and before I forget, Ralph has always been very free about allowing hobbyists to use his designs and circuit technologies. Even though his circuit design is patented, he has never tried to keep the design secret and has never tried to stop home builders from creating their own non-kit amps based on the circlotron technology. For-profit manufacturers are another matter, but hobbyists- never a problem.
Why did Ralph do these things? I don't know. Perhaps he's an audio saint come down from heaven to help audio cheapskates like myself. More likely, I think, is that creating great audio equipment and helping audiophiles achieve great sound are the overriding passions in Ralph's life.
So when someone asks, "What has Ralph Karsten ever done for the audiophile community?", these are a few of the things. Other people doubtless can tell you more. Regards,
same experience , different route. even though I bought my M-60MKII.2's used from an individual, any and all calls and questions to Ralph were gladly, thoroughly and patiently responded to with the kind of care and candor that is almost impossible to find anywhere else in the audio world; ALL WHILE HE MADE NOT A CENT OFF ME! He deserves our unilateral and full support, imho.
I bought mine - and probably, did not pay him (could NOT have payed him) enough.
Bill, That was just a wonderful story and typical of the sort of gift Ralph has been to music lovers of every description.
Sadly and mysteriously HE (jt), stood outside of the life long musical experiences, enjoyment and other harmonious activities.Sad, very sad!
nt
"JT" is the person who posted at the head of this little sub-thread.
As long as Ralph, was running the show you can be sure that products were priced more than fairly. This is a guy who was running his company out of his own home for many years and employing his friends to help build the equipment. I'm talking about guys in jeans and t-shirts driving old cars and doing what they loved in a very unassuming way. No one was gettig rich. What Ralph was engaged in was the antithesis of hi-end glitz. For that you would have to look elsewhere. Perhaps in the direction of Glacier Audio the new daddy of what use to be Atma-Sphere and is now nothing more than a hollow shell.
Right vs wrong. No one deserves the situation he is in.
Were your reasons for submitting this post being that you just need the attention, or do you really view yourself as this high and mighty?
I'm a student with no job, a fixed income and no health insurance who plans to contribute to the fund. Still care to button-hole me as "upper-echelon"? lol
its obvious that neither you nor i know the particulars
of mr.karsten's legal problems.but why blame it on the "upper echolon".
would he be "obviously" more virtuous if his products
were lower priced?
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