Arthur Khoubesserian / Funk / Pink Triangle / Possible interview

[Neil McCauley]

Following my extensive interview with Max Townshend and with John Siau (VP of Benchmark Media Systems Inc) and John Thigpen of Eminent Technology I’m thinking of approaching one of the most interesting and innovative thinkers in our industry – Arthur Khoubesserian for an interview.

http://www.stereonow.co.uk/interviews-Benchmark.html

It’s not a forgone conclusion that he’ll agree. He’s a bit shy (believe it or not), a bit reticent and not in the all too common mould of bad-mouthing people. He’s more ‘broadsheet’ than ‘tabloid’ if you get my drift.

Discussion will NOT be limited to vinyl replay. If he agrees, then we'll discuss his preamp and DAC plus his work with Spendor BC! speakers.

If an AoS members have questions that they would like me to put to him then I’ll give them my consideration as indeed he will. I’ll limit it to the best 9 from AoS, plus my own list.

Closing date for question submission is August 1 2011.

I regret having to point out that any questions that are offensive or potentially so (e.g. his sexual orientation) or unreasonably provocative (e.g. his personal opinion about industry luminaries and so on) will be ignored. Arthur is indeed a gentleman and in my view deserves the same degree of respect that he accords other people.

Thank you

Howard

[Neil McCauley]

Following my extensive interview with Max Townshend and with John Siau (VP of Benchmark Media Systems Inc) and John Thigpen of Eminent Technology I’m thinking of approaching one of the most interesting and innovative thinkers in our industry – Arthur Khoubesserian for an interview.

http://www.stereonow.co.uk/interviews-Benchmark.html

It’s not a forgone conclusion that he’ll agree. He’s a bit shy (believe it or not), a bit reticent and not in the all too common mould of bad-mouthing people. He’s more ‘broadsheet’ than ‘tabloid’ if you get my drift.

If AoS members have questions that they would like me to put to him then I’ll give them my consideration as indeed he will. I’ll limit it to the best 9 from AoS, plus my own list.

Closing date for question submission is August 1 2011.

I regret having to point out that any questions that are offensive or potentially so (e.g. his sexual orientation) or unreasonably provocative (e.g. his personal opinion about industry luminaries and so on) will be ignored. Arthur is indeed a gentleman and in my view deserves the same degree of respect that he accords other people.

Thank you

Howard

[nat8808]

Following my extensive interview with Max Townshend and with John Siau (VP of Benchmark Media Systems Inc) and John Thigpen of Eminent Technology I’m thinking of approaching one of the most interesting and innovative thinkers in our industry – Arthur Khoubesserian for an interview.

http://www.stereonow.co.uk/interviews-Benchmark.html

It’s not a forgone conclusion that he’ll agree. He’s a bit shy (believe it or not), a bit reticent and not in the all too common mould of bad-mouthing people. He’s more ‘broadsheet’ than ‘tabloid’ if you get my drift.

Discussion will NOT be limited to vinyl replay. If he agrees, then we'll discuss his preamp and DAC plus his work with Spendor BC! speakers.

If an AoS members have questions that they would like me to put to him then I’ll give them my consideration as indeed he will. I’ll limit it to the best 9 from AoS, plus my own list.

Closing date for question submission is August 1 2011.

I regret having to point out that any questions that are offensive or potentially so (e.g. his sexual orientation) or unreasonably provocative (e.g. his personal opinion about industry luminaries and so on) will be ignored. Arthur is indeed a gentleman and in my view deserves the same degree of respect that he accords other people.

Thank you

Howard

Could ask him if he has any future plans for speakers...

I bought some old Rogers speakers from a guy down on the south coast last year and he was in discussions with Arthur about his speaker design - wondered if anything came of it all.

In fact Arthur was waiting in the wings to buy the same speakers if I hadn't have gone ahead..

From that experience, I was also told briefly that in general Arthur feels that good vinyl replay is mostly down to the arm as long as it is coupled with a suitable cartridge and less about the deck these days. At least that is what the guy with the speakers had said Arthur had said whist loaning a Technics 1210 with the F.XR and Denon 103 for testing these speakers out... Could ask him more about that, his current thinking about what really matters.

I'd also like to know if my late version of the Anni is a one off - has an unusual power supply in the style of his Litaural CD player, no S/N and metal top plates - and if it's better than his current decks but that's all for my own ego and interest.

[colinB]

Excellent Benchmark interview.
One question i would like to ask is , does he think modern turntable design is constantly improving beyond the classic models of yesteryear or is it a case of different sound flavors and more up to date looks?

[Neil McCauley]

Could ask him if he has any future plans for speakers...

I bought some old Rogers speakers from a guy down on the south coast last year and he was in discussions with Arthur about his speaker design - wondered if anything came of it all.

In fact Arthur was waiting in the wings to buy the same speakers if I hadn't have gone ahead..

From that experience, I was also told briefly that in general Arthur feels that good vinyl replay is mostly down to the arm as long as it is coupled with a suitable cartridge and less about the deck these days. At least that is what the guy with the speakers had said Arthur had said whist loaning a Technics 1210 with the F.XR and Denon 103 for testing these speakers out... Could ask him more about that, his current thinking about what really matters.

I'd also like to know if my late version of the Anni is a one off - has an unusual power supply in the style of his Litaural CD player, no S/N and metal top plates - and if it's better than his current decks but that's all for my own ego and interest.

Okay, they're now on the list. Thank you. Regards. Howard.

[Neil McCauley]

Excellent Benchmark interview.
One question i would like to ask is , does he think modern turntable design is constantly improving beyond the classic models of yesteryear or is it a case of different sound flavors and more up to date looks?

Nice one. Thank you. It's now on the list! Kind regards, Howard

[Neil McCauley]

The extensive interview with AK is now going ahead. I thank everyone who submitted questions via AoS openly and those who did so privately.

Because of what I perceive is an undercurrent in some quarters on AoS of distaste for anything by or about the trade – especially from the trade – however well-intentioned or benign (and this includes my obviously not-for-profit blog) there will be no mention here of when the AK interview will be published or indeed where.

Those of you who are interested know where to look.

As an aside I’ll no longer be investing time nor effort in starting threads on AoS. I may if I can find the time and/or the interest add a response or two to other people's threads but as far as I can see, traders are at best tolerated here and most certainly unwelcome by a vocal few. I’d have to be stupid to ignore the signs. I'm very far from stupid! Thank you.

Sincerely

HP

[Macca]

as far as I can see, traders are at best tolerated here and most certainly unwelcome by a vocal few. I’d have to be stupid to ignore the signs. I'm very far from stupid! Thank you.



I don't think that is the case at all and I don't understand why you think that?

[Neil McCauley]

I don't think that is the case at all and I don't understand why you think that?

Indeed. But that's hardly relevant is it? I make the decisions on how I perceive the situation and not on your perception of the situation! Makes sense doesn't it?

Take a look at some of the recent postings with carefully constructed yet transparent references to me at http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12443 (unless they've been deleted) and then you might get a more accurate impression. Or possibly not. Your choice!

As for me, my mind is made up.

As a retailer, I can afford the luxury of attempting to make worthwhile contributions but, I'm not obligated in so doing to accept what I perceive as disrespect and the reality of willful misrepresentation I wish AoS every success.

This dialogue is now over as far as I'm concerned - by which I mean I'll not be posting any responses in this thread. Thank you.

Sincerely

Howard

[sq225917]

Howard, if you're going to ask him about the amps and dacs then you might as well just ask John Westlake who actually designed them. I'd be really interested to hear his thoughts on the old decks, the new ones and the state of the industry though.

[Neil McCauley]

Howard, if you're going to ask him about the amps and dacs then you might as well just ask John Westlake who actually designed them. I'd be really interested to hear his thoughts on the old decks, the new ones and the state of the industry though.

He's #5 on my list, just two down from Pete Townshend.

[sq225917]

I eagerly await all three interviews... ;-)

[Neil McCauley]

I eagerly await all three interviews... ;-)

Thank you, but please note that because of resentment here by some, about my blog (and the filthy and disreputable nature of being an audiophile retailer, let alone a blogger), I'll not be placing posts referring to these interviews.

Sorry 'bout that but it's out of my control. Those that want to read these things know how and where to find them. No doubt the bitchers will find something else to bitch about. Regards. Howard

PS

All of this is a bit ironic seeing as currently the bulk of the AK interview is made up of questions asked by AoS members! Ho hum.