Guys and gals,

Following the death of Richard Dunn, and after much discussion and deliberation with all necessary parties, we have decided to lift the ban on discussing NVA and the HFS forum. but only under the following conditions, which Paul Tiernan (new owner of NVA and HFS) is aware of and has agreed to:

1) That initially it will be for a six-month trail period only, as discussing NVA, on AoS, has historically always been contentious and ended in acrimony.

The 'poisoned chalice' nature of NVA-related threads was one of the main reasons why the ban was introduced in the first place, and that situation may not have changed significantly, even though RD is no longer with us.

2) That if discussing NVA becomes troublesome to moderate (due to the above), the ban will be immediately, and permanently, reintroduced.

3) That all members of HFS currently (and justifiably) banned from AoS will remain so, and also indefinitely.

4) That no active promotion of NVA, in the form of a trade account being opened by someone representing NVA, or otherwise, will be permitted.

5) Anyone caught shilling for NVA, on AoS, or even remotely suspected of such, will be removed immediately and the ban permanently reintroduced.

6) Any member of HFS caught badmouthing AoS, any of its members or me, on HFS, and which is seen to be tolerated by HFS management, will result in the ban being permanently reintroduced, so it will be up to the admin and moderators of HFS to ensure that that doesn't happen. And we will reciprocate, in respect of preventing NVA and/or HFS (and its members) from being badmouthed here.

7) Discussing HFS and linking to relevant hi-fi discussions there (or other suitable content), if necessary, will be permitted on AoS, as will ALL relevant discussion of NVA equipment and cables.

However, please note this in particular:

ANY MEMBER OF AOS GUILTY OF USING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO 'RAKE OVER OLD COALS', AND CAUSE AGGRAVATION, ETC, WILL IMMEDIATELY BE BANNED FOR A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS, OR INDEFINITELY, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE OFFENCE.

NO FURTHER WARNINGS OF THAT NATURE WILL BE GIVEN.

That's it. Removal of the ban will *solely* be to allow members of AoS, who own NVA gear and/or wish to discuss it and/or the company in some way, to do so. It will serve no other purpose, other than hopefully also to improve relations in future between AoS and NVA/HFS.

It's time to move on, folks, as life is really too short! So thanks in advance for your co-operation

Marco.