Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Tom, I'm sorry but buying something on the basis of claims that don't exist in reality is irrational....but, as I said, I own many things because I >like< them......I don't then need to make up excuses.... It's been my experience that Leicas are less reliable (in adjustment, and with regard to unexplained "jams") than my old Nikons....I LOVE my Leicas, and "tolerate" my Nikons because I do work that occasionally requires close-ups and 200mm. The Nikons are the "tools" I'd have to depend on if my income were totally from photography. But I "like" the Leicas.... On the audio analogy (a field you're familiar with, I believe) I stated that R/S interconnects were audibly no different than the X-brand, $900 interconnects....I use neither. The problem with R/S is the 'quality' of the materials....I want better connectors, plated contacts, etc. Actually, I like to make them with quality connectors and some non-descript teflon-silver "coax" I came by years ago (trash picking!)...it's a quality product....but no, with proper termination (low source impedance, short runs to Hi-Z inputs) there is no difference, measured or otherwise....and no one has proven a difference, even with THEIR own test environment....but I still don't use cheap junk....for reliability and resistance to corrosion....that's not irrational...to "hear" differences is, offensive or not. I do lots of things that are irrational....I prefer friction shifting on my bicycle, and non-aero brake levers!...but I also know that if I go on a "group" outing, I'll get the looks and comments that go with my preference....I just grin and talk about being an "old fart" (depends on your viewpoint!)... I compared my usual stereo amp (EL-34, triode push-pull, minimal feedback, Mullard front end, driving Altecs) to a friends SE 300B single ended amp....mine sounded 'tighter' (and of course would measure so)...he agreed....ya know what? Now I want to build a SE triode!!!......they just look neat, and I like the minimalism...I'll "get used" to the sound!!! But I'll NEVER claim it to be a "better" amp, for that, buy a Krell/whatever....big-ass arc welder and drive Apogees with it.....Not my cup of tea, but you won't here me claiming my amps to be "better" -- I'd be deemed "irrational" :) :) I'm always amazed at the number of people who choose to 'live' outside of accepted 'norms', and then claim to be 'offended'. I have a "bizarre" lifestyle, mostly rooted in the late 50s/ 60s.....old house, old truck, tube audio, old leicas, yadayadayadayada...with occasional excursions to the "lunatic" fringe (theatre sound, analog, home-made open-wire antenna feeders, AM broadcast transmitter in the corner of the living room (working on that one) etc....but I can't take my Leicas on my l970 road bike to the tube audio show and expect to NOT get strange looks/comments, just as if I wore a dress (haven't tried that one, my wife's clothes don't fit) So I just surround myself with other lunatics (Collins reflector, Leica reflector, friend named "bicycle John", etc). And yes, when I post my off-the-wall bullshit here or elsewhere, I expect to get blasted!!...but I have a thick skin. I'm really a nice guy. Honest. I am. No shit. it's TRUE, I tell ya!!! :) :) :) :) best to U and URS, Walt On Sun, 14 Mar 1999 TEAShea@aol.com wrote: > << First, Tom I intended to offend no one, and didn't. >> > > Walt, you might more carefully consider the effects of your words. Calling > someone irrational is offensive. > > Tom Shea >