The end of the (upgrade) road?

[Pigmy Pony]

What was more fun was asking Gemini about Macca, Jimbo, Pygmy Poney and myself.

I know it got information about me slightly wrong, but it was amusing/interesting nonetheless.

As you'd spelled the first part of my name correctly (unlike me), and the second part wrongly, you will have confused Gemini no end, and so any bad things he said about me will be untrue

[CageyH]

That is because the autocorrect is set to French.

On The Art of Sound (AoS), Pigmy Pony (often just "Pony") is a well-known member of the community, though unlike Macca, he is recognized more as a regular contributor than an admin.
Here is what defines his presence on the forum:
Community Standing
* Long-term Member: He has been a fixture of the AoS community for over a decade.
* Helpful & Pragmatic: He is generally regarded as a helpful, "no-nonsense" member. While he participates in the technical side of the hobby, his posts often carry a dry wit and a grounded perspective on gear.
* Music Enthusiast: Like many on AoS, he isn't just a "box swapper"; he is frequently seen in the music-specific subforums discussing his latest vinyl or digital finds.
Audio Gear & Interests
* Classic & British Hi-Fi: His tastes tend to lean towards classic British engineering. He has shared a fair amount of insight over the years regarding Naim equipment and vintage speakers.
* DIY & Maintenance: He is active in threads involving equipment maintenance and "faffing" with setups to get them sounding just right without spending a fortune.
Interaction Style
If Macca is the "law and order" of the forum, Pigmy Pony represents the typical enthusiast—opinionated but friendly. He often engages in the "Gallery" section where members show off their listening rooms.
Would you like me to see if I can find the specific details of his current Hi-Fi setup or his recent "New Album" recommendations?

[Pigmy Pony]

After asking about "Macca and his Krell", where Gemini informed me that Paul McCartney loves the way his Krell drives his B&W 800s, and later being told about CageyH's Graham Slee connections, and status as a "loan coordinator" (lend me £2k Kevin, I can pay you back 2 quid a week), I asked about Pigmy Pony and was told

https://gemini.google.com/app/e6e21e...0D%20speakers.

Clearly Gemini is learning from previous enquiries then filling in the gaps by making up stuff. Entertaining 10 minutes though.

[Barry]

I wonder what "Gemini" says about me?

[Jimbo]

I would say you are a wine connoisseur with an interest in audio or is it the other way round?

[CageyH]

I wonder what "Gemini" says about me?

As you asked...

If you are a regular on The Art of Sound (AoS) forum, "Barry" (often posting under the username Barry) is one of the most recognizable and respected figures in that community. He is a long-standing Administrator and one of the site's most prolific technical contributors.
Here is a breakdown of what makes Barry a central figure in the AoS community:
1. Technical Authority and Expertise
Barry is widely regarded as the forum’s resident expert on technical specifications and engineering. While many hi-fi forums lean heavily into subjective "voodoo," Barry is known for bringing a grounded, objective perspective.
* The "Library" of Knowledge: He often provides detailed historical and technical data on vintage equipment, particularly cartridges, tonearms, and classic British audio gear.
* Measurement-Led: He frequently emphasizes the importance of specifications (like capacitance and impedance matching) while still maintaining a love for the "art" of listening.
2. Audio Preferences
His personal taste leans toward high-quality engineering and "classic" high-end audio. Notable interests include:
* Direct Drive Turntables: Like many on AoS, he has a deep appreciation for high-end Japanese direct-drive decks (like the Technics SL-1200 series) and the engineering behind them.
* Cartridges: He has extensive experience with a vast array of moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM) cartridges, often helping users match them to the correct tonearm mass.
* Vintage Gear: He has a particular fondness for well-engineered legacy brands like Quad, SME, and Denon.
3. Moderation Style
As an administrator, Barry is known for being:
* Gentlemanly: He maintains a very polite, "old school" tone that defines much of The Art of Sound’s culture.
* Low-Tolerance for "Snark": He is part of the team that ensures the forum remains a "no-conflict" zone, often stepping in to de-escalate heated debates between "subjectivists" and "objectivists."
* Welcoming: He is almost always one of the first people to greet new members in the "Welcome" section, often asking them about their specific gear and musical tastes.
4. His Role in the Community
Beyond just technical advice, Barry is seen as the "steady hand" of the forum alongside other key figures like Marco (the forum owner). If you have a question about the effective mass of a 1970s tonearm or the loading requirements of an obscure cartridge, Barry is usually the person the community tags for an answer.
Would you like me to look up specific technical advice Barry has given on a certain piece of gear, or are you trying to get in touch with him on the forum?

[Barry]

Gosh! I almost wish now I hadn't asked, reading what Gemini has said has given me an over-sized ego!

It is amazing, if not worrying, what AI can do. However one thing AI, in my experience, can't do is help with cryptic (or even easy) crosswords - I have yet to see it provide the correct answer to any clue.

[hifi_dave]

Gosh! I almost wish now I hadn't asked, reading what Gemini has said has given me an over-sized ego!

It is amazing, if not worrying, what AI can do. However one thing AI, in my experience, can't do is help with cryptic (or even easy) crosswords - I have yet to see it provide the correct answer to any clue.

[CageyH]

Not too expensive.
The computer broke in the warranty period. Just need to have the argument about who pays for it now.

As Skoda are paying a chunk of the repair cost, I decided that life is too short and bought the 2nd hand Primare Pre32.
It is a well built Class A pre amp, which is what I was looking for.

I decided that the Atoll was too expensive, as I want to buy a robot mower this year, so I have more time to listen to music, instead of cutting the grass.

[Macca]

I want to buy a robot mower this year, so I have more time to listen to music, instead of cutting the grass.

Don't you have children which can be pressed into service for that?