A Trip to an Audio Mecca

[jdandy]

Mike.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado. .

Your sound system and room are fabulous. It is heartwarming to see you share your home and audio system with new and old friends. No doubt it is exhilarating to have your space and privacy when you want those moments, but it is equally enriching to share. You are most generous to welcome audio friends into your space.

Having lived in Portland, Oregon for ten years ('72 - '82), I understand how the weather keeps people indoors a large part of the time. This is certainly one good reason why home audio is so popular in the Pacific Northwest. I had two systems in my Portland home, one in the living room and one in the remodeled basement. I often had other audio friends over for listening sessions. Most of my friends had good sound systems in their homes. I now live in north central Florida. My home still has multiple sound systems and a home theater, but I have no friends in the area that care about home audio, particularly high-end. It is sunny and warm here most of the year so activities center on being outdoors for most people. A widescreen TV with a soundbar keeps most folks happy. Consequently I do most of my listening alone, although I have hosted a number of Audio Aficionado members through the years for some enjoyable listening sessions. This experience has resulted in meeting some fine people and developing several long term friendships. I have traveled to visit several Audio Aficionado member's homes and enjoy their sound systems. Always lots of fun. That is just one of the reasons being a member of this audio forum has brought me so much joy over the past decade. There are many great people here. It's good to see you join us.

[audioguy3107]

Dan - I bet weather has a lot to do with it I guess....I was really floored by the amount of Washington name tags that I saw last year...I'll see what it's like this year in the new resort. You probably don't get up to Atlanta much but if you do someday you'll have to come on over.

- Buck

[Weirdcuba]

Hopefully, my room will be done by then and we’ll give you double fun when you visit Atlanta. That said, my room won’t compare to the audio Mecca that is the subject of this thread (although it shouldn’t be too shabby).

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Dan - I bet weather has a lot to do with it I guess....I was really floored by the amount of Washington name tags that I saw last year...I'll see what it's like this year in the new resort. You probably don't get up to Atlanta much but if you do someday you'll have to come on over.

Buck.......I appreciate the invitation, and if I find myself headed to Atlanta I will reach out to you. I use to be in Smyrna every year or so visiting my grandmother when she was still alive, but I haven't been up that way in many years. I would enjoy meeting you face to face and listening to your sound system. I am happy to extend the same invitation to you should you find yourself in the vicinity of Live Oak or Lake City, Florida.

Yes, it is the weather and location that impacts where people recreate and what they do. In this rural area of north central Florida many of my friends, along with their families are into horses and horseback riding activities. They barrel race and calf rope in local rodeos, and pleasure ride when not practicing for competition. Lots of folks around here are hunters and enjoy being in the woods or at the range. There are also lots of boaters and folks who enjoy being on the water. The Suwannee River flows nearby, and with many beautiful fresh water springs in this area there is always lots to do outside. These activities, and the expenses associated with them, absorb discretionary income in areas that have nothing to do with home audio, so something like a high-end sound system isn't even on their radar.

Things are entirely different in the rainy and chilly Northwest, as well as other areas of our country where the weather keeps people indoors a fair part of the year. In those situations we tend to spend our discretionary income making the inside of our homes as comfortable as possible and centered on home entertainment.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

Hopefully, my room will be done by then and we’ll give you double fun when you visit Atlanta. That said, my room won’t compare to the audio Mecca that is the subject of this thread (although it shouldn’t be too shabby).

Jim.......Sounds like a couple of days in the Atlanta area might be a worthwhile adventure.

[mikel]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Mike.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado. .

Your sound system and room are fabulous. It is heartwarming to see you share your home and audio system with new and old friends. No doubt it is exhilarating to have your space and privacy when you want those moments, but it is equally enriching to share. You are most generous to welcome audio friends into your space.

Having lived in Portland, Oregon for ten years ('72 - '82), I understand how the weather keeps people indoors a large part of the time. This is certainly one good reason why home audio is so popular in the Pacific Northwest. I had two systems in my Portland home, one in the living room and one in the remodeled basement. I often had other audio friends over for listening sessions. Most of my friends had good sound systems in their homes. I now live in north central Florida. My home still has multiple sound systems and a home theater, but I have no friends in the area that care about home audio, particularly high-end. It is sunny and warm here most of the year so activities center on being outdoors for most people. A widescreen TV with a soundbar keeps most folks happy. Consequently I do most of my listening alone, although I have hosted a number of Audio Aficionado members through the years for some enjoyable listening sessions. This experience has resulted in meeting some fine people and developing several long term friendships. I have traveled to visit several Audio Aficionado member's homes and enjoy their sound systems. Always lots of fun. That is just one of the reasons being a member of this audio forum has brought me so much joy over the past decade. There are many great people here. It's good to see you join us.

thank you Dan, appreciate the comments. i do really enjoy fellow hifi and music lovers visits. i find that meeting like minded people who relate to me is just so rich and enjoyable. it makes my life better, pure and simple.

like the best of the forums x 100. we get a taste of that sense of community here, and in some other forums too. but face to face is another level of that.

anyway, thanks.

[jzzmusician]

Originally Posted by mikel

thank you Dan, appreciate the comments. i do really enjoy fellow hifi and music lovers visits. i find that meeting like minded people who relate to me is just so rich and enjoyable. it makes my life better, pure and simple.

like the best of the forums x 100. we get a taste of that sense of community here, and in some other forums too. but face to face is another level of that.

anyway, thanks.

Another +100!

- Bob