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feelfreetoblameme
22-06-2011, 04:35
Look, I know I need to make a good first impression so: :) ;) :eyebrows: :stalks: :scratch: :mental: :cool: :rolleyes: :fence: :santa: :donk: :cocktail: :vomfest: :king:

Now is it okay if I never use those again?

Kidding aside, hello from Portland, Oregon, USA from me, Ahmad, a relative newbie to the audiophile world. I've been researching audio stuff for about a year off and on, looking into my living space and seeing what I might need sonically to satisfy how I listen to music. I know from years of playing the drums I've done enough damage to my hearing that I'm not going to really be able to tell certain nuances apart so I'm not here for that. I'm here basically to learn and I've been reading a lot of posts (on this forum and others) and communicating briefly with one of your luminaries (SB are the initials) about possibly buying one of his products.

I really have no system at the moment. A decade ago, a different version of me purchased (and I know the opprobrium this brand receives in audiophile circles) a Bose Wave Radio/CD. I was a college student, it was small and easy to move since I moved a lot, and sounded good enough. I was all CD back then, not even owning a computer. Today I got rid of the Bose. It served me well but I've outgrown it. I own a laptop now, an Airport Express for streaming and I feel I can even leave CDs behind since I've ripped everything to FLAC. But yesterday, I came across a great deal and picked up a used Marantz CD player for cheap. Sometimes a CD is just too damn convenient and easy and unlike a lot of my friends, I still buy CDs. My plan is to buy a pair of powered speakers (bookshelf since I still live a nomadic lifestyle), a DAC, hook up the Airport Express and the CD player to the DAC and listen in bliss. Later on in life, when/if I'm richer and maybe more settled, I can buy an amp and passive speakers but for now, this will definitely work. And to learn about such things, specially DACs, I'm here at this forum.

Finally, my music tastes tend to be a bit Anglophilic (I grew up in Saudi Arabia, which somehow bred my love of English things). I'm invariably more forgiving towards bands from the British Isles even if they sound similar to an American band. That being said, my recent new discovery is Deerhunter. Love their sound. Other mentions: Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers, Doves, Elbow, Ramona Falls, Menomena, Engineers, The La's, Ride, Swervedriver, Slowdive, and yes, I can go on.

Speaking of which, I've gone on long enough. Hope to communicate and learn from you guys over the forums soon. Thanks for running what seems like a very nice online forum with a refreshing lack of abuse and a refreshing amount of candor and camaraderie.

And yes, one more time to please the emotigods: :)

John
22-06-2011, 06:45
Hi Amhand
Welcome to AOS I really hope you enjoy it here

The Grand Wazoo
22-06-2011, 06:47
Hi there Ahmad,
A warm welcome from me.

shane
22-06-2011, 08:37
Are you also one of that select number who insists on using apostrophes in text messages? If so then welcome, sir!

Tim
22-06-2011, 08:43
Hi Ahmad, Portland, OR eh? The home of probably my favourite band (The Decembersists). If I lived there I would see them every chance I got!

Anyway, welcome and enjoy the forum, there are a few file audio converts here (me included), although I will never stop buying CD's, especially as they are so affordable now. I like to have a physical thing and I don't care much for downloaded music, unless it's HD.

:cool: (couldn't resist that!)


Are you also one of that select number who insists on using apostrophes in text messages? If so then welcome, sir!
Yep, that's me and I use capitals where appropriate too - I view language a little like manners, some have them, some don't..... but then I'm an old git. The way many of our illiterate 'yoof' communicate these days leaves me cold.

WAD62
22-06-2011, 10:31
Finally, my music tastes tend to be a bit Anglophilic (I grew up in Saudi Arabia, which somehow bred my love of English things). I'm invariably more forgiving towards bands from the British Isles even if they sound similar to an American band. That being said, my recent new discovery is Deerhunter. Love their sound. Other mentions: Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers, Doves, Elbow, Ramona Falls, Menomena, Engineers, The La's, Ride, Swervedriver, Slowdive, and yes, I can go on.


Hi Ahmed,

Welcome aboard, I've got a lot of that in my collection too...As for Deerhunter, have you heard Atlas Sound? It's the Deerhunter frontman well worth checking out...

feelfreetoblameme
22-06-2011, 23:08
Thanks to everyone for a warm welcome!

Ah, the Decemberists. GreatGig, while they are definitely a good band and I admire their lyrics, somehow I could never get into them. And (much to your chagrin, I'm sure) I've never caught them live despite sometimes feeling like they play here every week! I do hear they are brilliant to see though so I might go if I get a non-pricey ticket that doesn't sell out in the blink of an engine driver's eye (yes, that is one song by them that I do like). And yes, the physical aspects of CDs I still enjoy. I still own the first CD I ever bought and since in Saudi CDs were expensive I had to beg and plead with my parents to buy any. The freedom to buy them now in the relatively cheap US is still sweet.

Shane, yes indeed I am a bit of a language pedant. It must come from the fact that English is my second tongue, but also a bit because it is my favourite language. At times I've had some writing gigs and enjoyed them immensely. And yes, my text messages are impeccably punctuated.

WAD62, Atlas Sound are brilliant. I felt that Deerhunter's latest album, Halcyon Digest, went more in the sonic direction of Atlas Sound. Not necessarily an improvement over previous Deerhunter albums, but a definite sonic enhancement.

Great to be on here, hope to see you guys in the Digital area once I figure out a question that hasn't already been asked!

Tim
22-06-2011, 23:17
Ah, the Decemberists. GreatGig, while they are definitely a good band and I admire their lyrics, somehow I could never get into them. And (much to your chagrin, I'm sure) I've never caught them live despite sometimes feeling like they play here every week! I do hear they are brilliant to see though so I might go if I get a non-pricey ticket that doesn't sell out in the blink of an engine driver's eye (yes, that is one song by them that I do like).
Oh Ahmad, do it please ...... it took me a little while to get into them, in fact first time I heard them I didn't really like them. BUT, go and see them live and you will totally get them - I'm a bit obsessive about going to gigs, but I can honestly say they are one of the best live acts out there. There's a reason those tickets sell out in the blink of an eye ;)

(go with an open mind and be prepared to join in the fun, they are an audience participation act...)

feelfreetoblameme
23-06-2011, 07:41
I will definitely try to catch them, Tim. Portland's a great place for live music (although not as great as England; how I wish I could experience that!) and I'm sure I'll come across them again soon.