Originally Posted by
Lenton58
rat fink + that!. I was a subscribing member for years. A great bunch of people and total maniacs about audio. When you get into these projects, half-way measures are not allowed. You get it exactly right, or it doesn't work. The AK community is very supportive.
BF reminds me of AK in that way, but BFers do get out and ride bikes. A lot of DIY audio is about working on the bench and sourcing parts when you are not otherwise researching and finding out how to do something, or helping someone else do their project. On the other hand, many AKers do have social events in some areas, although the membership at large is from all over the globe. A lot of members are into maths and science that I just can't follow. And some of them are professionals in the field or fields that are allied to electronics in some way — like engineering.
I never plan to get out of AK, but my need for belonging to a community of bicycle people is really important too. So many passionate interests — so little time — SIGH
Agreed, on all points, but especially that last bit.
I've recently been reforming my interests and hobbies (and the
stuff that accompanies them) by making the move toward minimalism. Last year, I jettisoned oodles of mid to upper mid range audio gear, musical instruments, bikes, sporting goods, and a few project cars, asking myself along the way, "Does this project/activity grab me enough to hold my interests? Where does it fit into my priorities?" Such questioning has gotten me down from > 100 projects to a more manageable < 30.
I gotta say, it's liberating!
Of course, there's always room for mid to high end Pioneer, Sansui, Yamaha, Ampex, Thorens, McIntosh, Marantz, Infinity, Klipsch, Akai, Teac, Advent, Sony, Electro-Voice, Linn, Altec, Dynaco, Heathkit, Telefunken, Norelco, Philco, RCA...
