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Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley

206.255.203.219
Posted on July 15, 2017 at 14:04:50
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37634
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Reviewers really are people and I think it's great to get to understand their perspective, not just their room dimensions and audio gear. Bunnies and all. :)

ps: I listen to music using Shure E3 earbuds with good sound isolation when I'm using the lawn tractor, pressure washer, trimmers, etc.

 

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RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 15, 2017 at 14:37:10
BubbaMike
Audiophile

Posts: 650
Location: Left Coast of the USA
Joined: January 4, 2002
 Art seems to be a great guy. I don't always agree with his opinions, I don't always like what he likes but he seems like a good person who loves music and sound reproduction. IOW, he seems to be a mensch.


When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it. ~ Bernard Bailey

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 15, 2017 at 14:50:15
E-Stat
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 I don't always agree with his opinions, I don't always like what he likes but he seems like a good person who loves music and sound reproduction.

I think what's most important is understanding how a reviewer arrives at his conclusions, especially when your priorities differ. Similarly, mine are different from his. And different from two audio reviewers who mentored me since I was a teenager. And yet, there's always room to learn from that different perspective.

That's when you can interpret a given review and place it into a meaningful context for you. Vive la difference!

 

What video? nt, posted on July 15, 2017 at 15:10:24
Rick W
 nt

 

Mea culpa, posted on July 15, 2017 at 15:22:45
E-Stat
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Posts: 37634
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 First draft had it, but left it out on second!

Revisit post for link.

 

I'll check it out later, too hungry now. Thanks for the link. Like Art, so expect to enjoy it. nt, posted on July 15, 2017 at 17:13:23
Rick W
 nt

 

Enjoyed that... but admit it..., posted on July 15, 2017 at 17:34:01
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31878
Location: San Francisco
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  Since: January 28, 2004
 that bunny heater is what really won you over.

He seems like a very down to earth and fairly pragmatic guy.

For an audiophile.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Interesting Point, posted on July 15, 2017 at 18:50:37
Des
Audiophile

Posts: 2110
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  Since: August 2, 2000
 He comments that Rubber surround based Suspension Speakers kill the Dynamics with compression

and only Altec type ( Non Rubber Rolled) versions convey true full spectrum sonics,

Sheeesh --lotta Speaker designers out there delivering us substandard product--Hmmm!

Nice touches though --but waited for some Music--duhhh!

Des

 

I've always liked him until he was elevated to his new position, posted on July 16, 2017 at 00:49:51
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
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 He used to review a lot of SET gear. Now he's been relegated to high efficiency speakers and vinyl. He hasn't reviewed an SET amp for Stereophile in a long time. That's in line with Stereophile's audience (and the larger audiophile community), advertisers and JA's personal preferences. So, I don't think this will change.

But if you look at his equipment list, his personal preferences haven't changed.

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 16, 2017 at 08:03:30
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3307
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 I liked the profile, and I'm sure he'd be interesting to meet. But I flip the pages fast when he gets into those Popular Mechanics accounts of refinishing/rebuilding turntables and their plinths--just not interesting to me as a non-DIY person.

The advice about hearing protection is not just for audio reviewers, of course. I wear over-the-ear hearing protection for cutting the lawn, weed whacker, vacuuming, etc. Occasionally I use my Bose noise canceling headphones without any music source--they suppress more bass than my ear protectors. Either way, it's 25-30 dB isolation.

I made the mistake of seeing Baby Driver a couple of weeks ago without bringing ear plugs, and I ended up spending much of the movie with my fingers in my ears.

 

"and this is a British room heater", posted on July 16, 2017 at 09:21:34
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Art is a bit more reticent than I imagined him. Not quite the Mister Rogers of audio in his verbal delivery, but closer than I expected, given his writing style and good sense of humor.

I do tend to like what he likes (excluding political leanings, of course), among them Roksan turntables, Rega tonearms, Horn Shoppe Horn speakers, Denon / Zu 103 cartridges, CineMag step-up transformers, First Watt F1, etc. Although the only thing I actually purchased based solely on his recommendation, without being able to hear it first, was the Roksan Xerxes X and Rega RB-900. I'm envious of those Altecs of his, even with their Italian Ironwork grill covers. You can almost smell the garlic permeating the air of his listening room.

Oh yeah, I had a pair of those wonderful British room heaters too. No rabbits though. You can't have it all.

I had to laugh at the apparently autographed, framed picture of pianist Valentina Lisitsa, who Art shamelessly lusted after. Not that I blamed him.

God, I miss Listener.

Thanks for the link, E-Stat. Good stuff.

 

That's why, posted on July 16, 2017 at 09:34:06
E-Stat
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 I made the mistake of seeing Baby Driver a couple of weeks ago without bringing ear plugs, and I ended up spending much of the movie with my fingers in my ears.

I stopped attending amplified concerts decades ago.

Hmmmm. I'm paying big bucks to wear plugs so as to (not) hear the dreadful sound delivered at ear bleeding level? Since my interest is with the music as opposed to "show aspects" like choreography or pyrotechnics, I found no reason to continue that path.

 

RE: Interesting observations, posted on July 16, 2017 at 11:30:00
Ross
Audiophile

Posts: 1814
Joined: January 24, 2000
 I would think that reviews of SET amps would be a good fit with reviews of high efficiency speakers. SET amps are beginning to expand into the exploding headphone market, thus there is a reason to possibly increase coverage of the market segment.

 

RE: Yes, posted on July 16, 2017 at 11:32:57
Ross
Audiophile

Posts: 1814
Joined: January 24, 2000
 He represents an example of the ability to vehemently disagree with someone in one area and to consistently agree with the same person in other areas.

I think he would be a good person to share a drink with while listening to and discussing music.

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 16, 2017 at 12:33:43
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15519
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Thanks! for sharing- E Stat

from the old Listener days, I received a bunny, once.

 

RE: Interesting observations, posted on July 16, 2017 at 14:08:31
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 We are a very small segment of the commercial market. SET is dominated by DIYers.

 

Yeah, I was hoping to hear his system, even via a video. nt, posted on July 16, 2017 at 16:54:58
Rick W
 nt

 

Forgot, posted on July 16, 2017 at 17:35:16
Des
Audiophile

Posts: 2110
Location: Great Barrier Reef
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Contributor
  Since: August 2, 2000
Thanks E for the Link

D

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 17, 2017 at 04:01:12
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8385
Joined: June 3, 2006
I would like to see a Linn Sondek LP12 reworked by Art and listen to it thru video.

Bill

 

RE: That's why, posted on July 17, 2017 at 05:50:34
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 'I stopped attending amplified concerts decades ago.'

My last concert was Allison Kraus and Union Station in 2007. It was so loud that even at 100 yards from the stage it was painful. The bass was EQ'd up more than any rock concert I have ever attended. This kind of sound for an acoustic band and I just dropped $100 for the privilege of damaging my hearing? No thanks. I actually left the concert after about 20 minutes and waited in the car for my friends.

These days live music is confined to the Symphony or small jazz clubs with little or no sound reinforcement.

Here in KC we are awfully proud that we have the loudest stadium in NFL football. Peak levels of around 138dB. The local news makes a big deal of how neat this is after every game. Cool! Naturally they fail to mention that everyone that attended the game without hearing protection went home with some permanent hearing damage. Buzz kill I know.

I never leave the house without hearing protection and keep a box of foam ear plugs in the car. Way too many places with damaging levels of sound.

 

He's an interesting writer..., posted on July 17, 2017 at 09:48:59
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...but has always written about equipment I have no interest in.

Even at Listener.

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 17, 2017 at 13:24:59
Dave_K
 Sometimes I think Art protests too much.

In one part he was talking about how he doesn't like the idea of a dedicated listening room and he has one only because it's necessary for the job, and he doesn't want to put up any room treatments or use cable risers, uses old cables, and doesn't really believe in optimizing or tweaking, to the point where he won't put in a lot of time trying to get a piece of review equipment to perform at its best. Seemed like he was trying to present himself as being too cool for all this audiophile stuff.

So I thought it was funny when he included a whole segment dedicated to how he optimized his tonearm geometry, and shows off his $4500 Audiodesksysteme Gläss record cleaner talking about the previously unheard details it revealed. Proving that he does have some audiophile OCD tendencies just like the rest of us.

I was also amused by his choice of furniture. Not so much the settee he uses as a listening chair but the desk and chair he uses for writing. That doesn't look the least bit ergonomic.

 

Seems to be the case with me as well, posted on July 17, 2017 at 17:27:07
E-Stat
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 Nevertheless, I find it illuminating to understand a reviewer's choices in more detail.

 

He's a great guy..., posted on July 17, 2017 at 17:29:58
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...I met at HPs in 1986 at the staff party when he was Asst. Editor.

He just marches to a different drummer.

 

:), posted on July 17, 2017 at 17:34:38
E-Stat
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 Truly, most of us exhibit OCD tendencies in one way or another.

he doesn't want to put up any room treatments...

To each his own I guess. I'm compulsive enough to use them even in the garage environment - all DIY and quite inexpensive, especially the Walmart "nubby" mats hung to supplement the damping panels to greatly reduce the slap echo in that environment. :)



 

If that were my listening room...., posted on July 17, 2017 at 18:54:28
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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 I'd buy another car!




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Sound gets a bit closed in when..., posted on July 17, 2017 at 19:14:27
E-Stat
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 Wifey's car and the bike are inside. :)

 

Great 'room treatment' though. /n, posted on July 17, 2017 at 20:30:27
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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 n


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 18, 2017 at 04:46:54
sqlsavior
Audiophile

Posts: 55
Location: New Mexico
Joined: June 25, 2013
 He looks younger and less crusty than he seems in print. I enjoy his writing, and have relied upon his opinions twice, without being at all disappointed. He and Paul Seydor at Absolute Sound seem to hear things most like I do.

Thanks for the post!

 

Your garage is way too clean, posted on July 18, 2017 at 06:39:02
Dave_K
 I'll have to admit, I've thought about the need for room treatments in my garage too. Though mine is not nearly as clean as yours, I have plenty of stuff around "for diffusion" :)

I see you're a Honda guy. I like that ST1300. My Dad got an ST1100 when it came out in 1990, and I borrowed it from him for a couple of trips. He used to do track days on it too. He upgraded to the ST1300 when that came out and we used to go on a long trip together every summer for a while. It's probably the nicest touring bike I've ridden. Alas, when he turned 80 he sold the bike and got a DR650.

I'm surprised Honda hasn't come out with a replacement.

 

RE: Your garage is way too clean, posted on July 18, 2017 at 08:39:51
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37634
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I just happened to stumble onto those mats at Walmart. They are unusual in that they are constructed somewhat like acoustical panels having relief and alternating patterns. The openings make mounting easy. They really work!

Been a Honda (and Audio Research) guy since '81. Also have a Ridgeline. The S2000 is an '01 with just over 100k miles. Still doesn't burn any oil.

Wifey and I enjoy taking trips with the ST. Took a weekend ride to the mountains a couple of weeks ago. As you know, it's wicked fast, handles nicely and is comfortable for long distances. I've tricked it out a bit with Two Brothers exhaust, K&N filter, gel seats and LED lights on front fork. Performed my annual oil/filter change this past weekend using Shell Rotella synth.

Wow - your Dad rode his until he was 80. Must be a good guy!

 

He SHOULD review more SET amps, posted on July 18, 2017 at 11:04:33
Brian H P
Audiophile

Posts: 1291
Location: Oregon
Joined: December 18, 2012
 They will work best with the sort of high-sensitivity speakers he favors. And he should review ONLY high-sensitivity speakers, if he insists on using only low-powered tube amplification.

This is his audiophile niche, just like the uber-expensive gear ("$17,000 is not an unreasonable price for a cartridge with this sort of clarity and resolution") is Fremer's, or impeccably engineered "science products" are JA's. Each appeals to a specific sub-demographic of audiophiles.

Personally, I appreciate his DIY articles the most. But then I'm a long-term DIYer, which probably puts me in an even smaller sub-demographic.

 

RE: He's an interesting writer..., posted on July 18, 2017 at 15:26:42
Pat D
Audiophile

Posts: 12506
Location: Fredericton NB
Joined: June 20, 2000
 He seems like a cool guy, very pleasant and unruffled. He doesn't seem to review much that I would be interested in. He writes very well, and communicates a lot of audiophile subculture, which doesn't much interest me. He also goes far afield with personal reminiscences, which is charming, I suppose, but from my point of view is padding.

I leave him to his preferences, and live with my own.
-----
"A fool and his money are soon parted." --- Thomas Tusser

 

He's an interesting writer..., posted on July 18, 2017 at 15:29:40
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...he mostly a columnist and occasionally writes a review.

 

RE: Enjoyed the video profile of Art Dudley, posted on July 20, 2017 at 23:33:50
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
 I did watch the intro, I think I left afraid he'd turn that damn mover on again, but you guys surprise me, seem to have seen/heard something new?

I don't get it, he's been a spill guts writer forever, apparently like that even in the deep past before Stereophile (scary concept)

;)


 

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