In Ethan Winer's book "The Audio Expert..." he opined (paraphrasing) that he did not want to cover tube electronics, rather he wanted to discuss technology that is pertinent in the 21st Century. I asked him to elucidate and he in turn asked me to posit the question in this open forum so that others could participate too. For the record, I have just purchased a new Conrad-Johnson tube amp (ARTsa) and preamp (ET5) not yet in service. I also own 3 transistor amps, 3 transistor preamps, and am currently listening to a PS Audio Class D integrated amp with my new speakers, Sony SS-AR2. Primary source is a Sony HAP-Z1ES.
A response to Ethan Winer re. tube electronics from his bok
- Thread starter Bill Stevenson
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Hi Bill,
He will choose this route to discuss his "measurement based" beliefs on all things audio.
Anyone who chooses to use their ears to determine sonic quality should disregard his comments.
And yes, I have the ET5 pre and will gladly share my views on various tubes I have tried in this pre.
Bottom line from my perspective, best to ignore unless you are into numbers and measurements to determine sonic quality.
Does EW own any tube amps, preamps, etc. gear and if he doesn't, which I believe is true, how can he comment on this topic from a sonic perspective?
Please reference the current "Vibration Isolation Question" thread in the "Main Discussion Forum" for further information.
He will choose this route to discuss his "measurement based" beliefs on all things audio.
Anyone who chooses to use their ears to determine sonic quality should disregard his comments.
And yes, I have the ET5 pre and will gladly share my views on various tubes I have tried in this pre.
Bottom line from my perspective, best to ignore unless you are into numbers and measurements to determine sonic quality.
Does EW own any tube amps, preamps, etc. gear and if he doesn't, which I believe is true, how can he comment on this topic from a sonic perspective?
Please reference the current "Vibration Isolation Question" thread in the "Main Discussion Forum" for further information.
Wow, like Bill asked for or deserved a thread crap in the very first posted response. And Ethan is the one who got publicly rebuked in the other thread. Nothing's changed around here. Oh my.
What about those like me that use both? I use my ears AND I value measurements, as do many here at WBF and in the real world. It is not an either/or proposition.
We all take Ethan's and all others' comments into consideration and give them whatever weight we deem appropriate. I am interested in Bill's OP and in Ethan's response.
What about those like me that use both? I use my ears AND I value measurements, as do many here at WBF and in the real world. It is not an either/or proposition.
We all take Ethan's and all others' comments into consideration and give them whatever weight we deem appropriate. I am interested in Bill's OP and in Ethan's response.
Plus 1 for that! I can't quite fathom the antagonism directed at Ethan, and would like to respectfully request that it stop.
so don't be his stooge. you told us all that Ethan asked you to start this thread so he could advance his notions.
Ethan has made his bed and has asked and continues to ask for the treatment he gets. he likes to poke the audiophile mentality for fun and action. and if some (who tend that way too if not quite as blatantly) like that he does that and stick up for him then that is their choice. we have every right to call a spade and spade and react to his antics.
Regarding the other thread, Ethan brought it on himself.
As to this one, I think the word "stooge" is appropriate.
Gentlemen, seems to me there should be no more posts until Ethan responds. Please be respectful to each other before and after that happens.
The real "war" is somewhere in the middle east. Let's not create one over audio!
The real "war" is somewhere in the middle east. Let's not create one over audio!
Amir,
if Ethan is starting threads with proxy's, is that activity that you allow?
what if other sellers did that so blatantly?
why would we care that Ethan answers?
just cuz?
so his 'person' starts a thread he directs, and we wait until he answers?
really?
isn't this the general forum?
I don't think that is fair. He doesn't own any tube equipment, afaik, because he doesn't want to. Your criterion would require someone to own something he does not care for in order to qualify to comment on it. Surely, that he owns no tube equipment is, in fact, comment enough.Does EW own any tube amps, preamps, etc. gear and if he doesn't, which I believe is true, how can he comment on this topic from a sonic perspective?
Nice post. Really helpfull in fostering discussions about audio. Very open minded!!!
Amir, great line! Me likey.
And what about Bill? Bill now is a stooge and a proxy. Wow. Yeah, really friendly environment. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Bill left the forum.
Shame on you -- and you know who you are -- for behaving like 5 year olds. Discuss the post, not the poster. Such a simple but elusive concept. Can't do that? Then let the ignore button be your friend.
Bill, I hope you get the answer you've asked for. You've more than earned it and some of us, at least one of us, are interested in what it might be.
And what about Bill? Bill now is a stooge and a proxy. Wow. Yeah, really friendly environment. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Bill left the forum.
Shame on you -- and you know who you are -- for behaving like 5 year olds. Discuss the post, not the poster. Such a simple but elusive concept. Can't do that? Then let the ignore button be your friend.
Bill, I hope you get the answer you've asked for. You've more than earned it and some of us, at least one of us, are interested in what it might be.
My opinion is that I like WBF to stay planted in both the 20th and 21st centuries. After all, without tube electronics we couldn't discuss the Beatles original recordings, or their recent remastered mono recordings many (most?) recorded originally with tube based electronics, or the great classical Decca and RCA recordings of the 1950's and early '60's which were done with tubes. Eliminating these from his discussions will make for big loss to Mr. Winer's readers, if not to Mr. Winer himself.
Larry
Methinks going forward my only contribution to this thread would be to go and get some good ol' low sodium popcorn. I get the feeling I've watched this movie before.
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