Hello all, I haven't been connected with this group in decades (not sure I was ever a member, but I have in past participated in a few events). But I'm joining to make some friends and connections here. Here is the bio I just put in the membership directory for info about me.
I'm based in San Francisco. I've been an audiophile for more than 40 years. Started by working at The Audible Difference (hi end salon in Palo Alto) in the 1980's.I began to work in industry developing some of the first computer-based music servers around 2003, handled technical development (and some marketing) of the VRS Audio Solutions Revelation PC. Was a pioneer building isolation mechanisms for ethernet including using isolation transformers, and fiber optic bridges/firewalls for better sound, moving OS and music playing software into RAM, reduction of RFI inside PCs, and using linear power supplies. Worked with the open source community to help test and develop FLAC and Pandora music categorization (Pandora was first an open source project before it became the streaming company). Early adopter of Pro Audio software for improved playback of music, which turned into bringing our ideas and knowledge to Sonic Solutions and worked with them to create the Amarra system and software. First distributor for Amarra.
Took a break from audiophile world around 2007 till a few years ago. I have been building my ultimate digital system and am very happy with what I've been able to achieve. Although I have a lot of experience in digital, I adore good analog and also tube gear. I've owned both solid state gear and tube gear. I think I may have owned over 25 amplifiers in my time (!) - with electronics from Mark Levinson, Naim, Spectral, Jadis, First Watt, Shindo. Not to mention at least 7 digital amps. The full Shindo system from TT to electronics was one of my favorites.
What I currently consider to be the best way to my version of musical realism are: high efficiency, single driver speakers (no crossovers); newest generation of digital amps (Purifi, Atma-Sphere); fully balanced components. R2R dacs, linear power supplies, high quality streamers, Dueland cables, and extensive power filtration.
I have a pretty large collection of gear from when I was in the industry that I need to find homes for, but I am not very good at getting things up for sale.