AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: jsalk on 14 Jun 2023, 04:36 pm
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A few months ago, I posted that Dan and Kerry of CSS Audio were interested in purchasing Salk Sound.
They are great guys and it was a pleasure working with them. They were here almost daily for two months as they analyzed the business and learned some of our production processes. They built crossovers, assembled speakers, and generally helped around the shop (at no charge I should note). I'm glad we had a chance to get to know them on a more personal level.
As for the sale itself, our accountant valued the company at about $300,000. But we basically offered it to Dan and Kerry for less than a third of that amount...basically the cost of our machinery. We were not charging for the name or any of our speaker designs. We were willing to throw all that in for free in order to provide them with the best chance for success.
The way I looked at it, if they ever wanted to market finished speakers, they would never be able to set up a speaker manufacturing operation at this price.
In the end, they decided not to proceed. They simply did not feel confident they could market speakers at prices that would be required for an ongoing operation. I don't blame them for their decision. They made a good-faith effort to make it work.
During the process of exploring a sale, we basically stopped taking new orders so Dan and Kerry would have a clean start when potentially taking over operations. At this point, we probably have about six weeks of work left to complete all standing orders. After that, we will basically auction off our equipment and head home.
Will that be the end of Salk Sound? Not exactly. While we will no longer manufacture speakers, I do have an idea of what I'd like to do going forward and it involves remaining a part of the audio industry. I don't have a specific announcement about that at this point but will outline it in full once I sort out the details.
When we first contemplated going into the speaker business, everyone we talked to discouraged us. "You can't make it," they said. Well, twenty years later, we're still here.
I'm proud of the work we did and very thankful for all the support and encouragement you, our owners, have provided over the years. When times were tough, we'd quite often receive an appreciative email from a customer that would make everything seem worthwhile. For that, I will be forever grateful.
You have given us the opportunity to get to know, and ship speakers to, thousands of people around the world. None of this would have been possible were it not for the faith you placed in us over the years. It has been truly gratifying.
So thanks for your support. Now it's on to the next iteration of Salk Sound...
- Jim
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Well darn Jim, disappointing to hear this isn't ending differently, I was hoping Salk would be around for another 20 or so years.
I consider myself quite fortunate to have a pair of your SS8's in my living room.
Good luck with your next venture.
thank you Jim and Mary, was a pleasure meeting you both,
Jeff
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Ugh, sorry to hear that Jim. Your speakers will be sorely missed in the industry. Looking forward to seeing what's next.
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I wish the very best for you. It will be sad to see all those wonderful Salk Speakers go away and I will miss the announcements of your always improving new models.
It meant a lot to me to know you and Mary and having so many good years of association with us. All those trade shows were fun and useful showing our combined products.
Best regards,
Frank Van Alstine
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I'm very sorry to see my collaboration with Jim coming to an end, but 20 years is a good run and Jim deserves a rest. Jim is indeed a class act. Over our entire working relationship there was never a disagreement or a harsh word, even when I hit him (figuratively) with a 22-component crossover. I count Jim--and certainly Mary--as good friends and I wish them both well.
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Many thanks to both Jim and Mary for being wonderful suppliers of fantastic audio equipment, and as well, terrific ambassadors of our hobby. In particular, my appreciation goes out to both for trucking all the way to the rugged Oregon coast for our GTG event WAY back in 2010. My hard-of-hearing wife still talks about the joy of at last hearing music from those superb SS12's.
It is a tough business, but you weathered it in style and grace.
Best wishes for a long and healthy retirement or second audio business life.
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Sigh. I'm saddened to learn this. I had been hopeful that Dan and Kerry would take over as it seemed <to me> like a great fit. However, I look forward to what you have in store for the future.
Enjoy life and have fun!
Michael
P.S. Check your email.
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I’m sorry to hear the sale didn’t go through.
Jim, I wish you the best in your future endeavors. :)
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Jim, I feel fortunate to have discovered Salk Signature Sound 15 years ago. The Song Towers I purchased then provided endless hours of musical bliss and basically became woven into the fabric of my daily life. I'm sure you have many customers who would would say similar things about the sonic joyride that Salk speakers can provide. And dealing with you over the years has represented a kind of ideal about how a small business owner can treat customers with professionalism, kindness, and respect.
Now I'm fortunate again that I decided to pull the trigger on a big upgrade to BePure 2s earlier this year. At the time, I really didn't understand how the clock might be ticking on the chance to own your latest design. Now it seems that my speakers will be among the last you and your team ever produce. Believe me, your legacy will continue, right here at home in my listening room.
Best, Dave
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This is sad news. I'll miss seeing all the beautiful speakers that come out of your shop. I hope my Songbirds last me for a good while, I dread trying to find something to replace their quality and value. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Cornelis
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Jim,
Your offer sounds very generous. If I lived in Michigan and had a slightly different career, I would have taken you up on it. Cheers to you and Mary for all you’ve done and what remains for you to do. Your chapter in the audio industry will go down favorably in the history books. We all look forward to whatever is next! I will always cherish my SS 9.5s!!!!!!
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One of life's bittersweet moments. I am sorry to hear the business can't carry on but your legacy most certainly will especially as you are going out at the top of your game. I am thankful to have some of your creations to enjoy. Many thanks for that and all you and the team brought to this passion. We'll definitely look forward to Episode 3!
All the best,
Allan
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Hi Jim,
All the best. In total I bought a pair of Song HT2's and HT3'S and a Rhythmic Salk Sound subwoofer and you sent it all the way from the USA to Australia. It was quite a nervous time but you always delivered everything that you promised me you would. I currently use a pair of Salk Sound Song 3's as I bought them locally.
Good luck in retirement.
Cheers Rod
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I'm proud of the work we did...
You should be proud Jim, your speakers are world class.
Sorry to hear that it didn’t work out.
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Best wishes, Jim, to you and the entire Salk production team. You have many customers and friends out here who enjoyed the entire process of buying speakers from you, and will continue to enjoy listening to the finished products far into the future!
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I live in the Detroit area and admittedly never had a chance to hear Jim's speakers. The CSS guys are right down the street so that is a bummer that didn't work out.
There is a ton of brand loyalty here being displayed. For the asking price someone could trade the curreent equipment in for for a nice CNC machine and really make these speakers competitive is a tight economy if they went with MDF or the kit route. I know that goes against the current business model with the beautiful finishes, but the sound and brand loyalty is there to make a go of it.
If I already didn't have a demanding career this would be a fun way to make a living. If there is a will there is a way.
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Oh man! Had hoped to get one last pair ordered when budgets allowed again.
All the best to you guys Jim. I still hope to get by here before the doors close.
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Wishing you all the very best Jim
Mark Schifter
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I'm sorry to hear this, but I wish you all the best in whatever comes next. I'm glad I had the opportunity to hear several of your speakers at audio shows, to talk to you there, and I very much appreciate the personal service I received when considering then ordering a pair of Silk Monitors (which I love!).
Best wishes,
Rich
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Jim
It was such a pleasure to meet you a number of times at your Pontiac shop and with Mary at RMAF.
You went to great lengths with me on several Salk models.
A true artisan who made wonderful sounding speakers as customized works of art for every owner.
We all appreciate your love for music, woodwork and sound reproduction.
All the best in your next ventures
Thank you
Tom
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I will miss Jim and Mary's smiles at shows. Your passion for speaker design was evident to anyone who listened to them, and you made them look beautiful as well as fantastic sounding. Salk Speakers will be missed. I hope the future keeps you passionately involved in our industry.
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Hi Guys,
Jim's website is down :(.
Cheers Rod
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The web site is down because Comcast is down. Our servers are running, but have no connection to the internet as of now. We will be back online as soon as Comcast re-establishes connections to the net.
- Jim
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I really hate to hear this. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
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Wow. Sorry to hear this. But a job well done, Jim. Congratulations and wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. You are clearly one of the best people I've met in this hobby over the many years I've been involved. Blessings to you and your family!!
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Also, Jim, I hope those great artisans who build all your lovely speakers will do okay and find new, rewarding jobs and futures.
And hey ... retirement IS all it's cracked up to be! :D
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Just in time for the harcourt season; can we expect to see you at the US Open?
Be as good to yourself as you have been to us!
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Meant to type 'hardcourt', of course. A play on his tennis.
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Jim- will you be offering your design plans for sale?
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I own the Song3 speakers and have loved them since day one. The Salks are great people as well. i was lucky enough to see the shop a couple times. All the best with the future.
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i have enjoyed sonically and visually my SS10 speakers in pau ferro veneer and SongTower QWT in koa veneer for more than a decade. My Salk speakers have saved me money by quenching the urge to upgrade speakers every few years.
It was equally a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet Jim and Mary. They are wonderful people that set a high standard in knowledge, cordiality and integrity for others in the industry. I wish them great happiness in whatever their future may hold.
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Jim- will you be offering your design plans for sale?
In all probability, yes.
- Jim
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I was fortunate enough to visit Jim and Mary at their shop in January 2017. They were so kind and entertained all of my questions on speaker building. Jim even let me help him assemble drivers in a BRM Monitor! They even treated me to lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. I'll miss seeing them at CAF each year. Maybe they'll show up as an attendee instead of an exhibitor. I still enjoy my Salk Custom Song towers that Jim built for me in 2010. As others have already said, a real class act. Best to you Jim and Mary in your future endeavors.
Ron
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Best wishes on 'retirement', and your future endeavors Jim & Mary. While I missed a chance to meet you in person at Mudslide's back in '10, we did speak a time or two back in '07 when I bought my std. Song Towers. They are still serving well in my HT system, as is the Song Center I got shortly after. Your attention to customer service has always been of the highest quality, even exceeding the quality of the products you and your team produce. May you enjoy the coming adventures whatever they may be, and I'm sorry to hear you weren't able to find someone to take up the banner going forward. Your knowledge, kindness, and expertise will be missed in the audio community. I hope you find a way to continue to share those things with the industry & public if only in on a limited scale in the future.
Best wishes to the entire Salk Sound team in their futures as well.
JDH
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Jim and Mary, I am sorry that the business will not continue, but I feel fortunate to have known you. You should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished and the joy your speakers have given to all of us who are lucky enough to own them. And you’ve both done this all so graciously. I wish you the very best.
Peter
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This is some sad news. There is no other company like Salk Sound out there.
Jim, I want to thank for you the HT2-TL you built for me over a decade ago and the recent BMR Tower. In both cases, you built second cabinets for me for the same reason both times, without hesitation, because I wanted the ports on the front. The BMR Tower was well worth the 1.5 year wait. While the colour turned out different from what I expected, I think I like it better. I will cherish both of them for as long as I can.
I love that each speaker from Salk can be a unique piece unlike some one else's speaker. I think only Salk owners will actually appreciate and understand how good it is to own a custom Salk piece.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=253979)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=253978)
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Sad news, I' just heard about this.
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Sorry to hear this Jim. We were very lucky to have you show us the details of your operation during COVID and that sold us on your products. My SS 9.5s and SS 9C are awesome!
We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
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Hi,
I also think the company is unique and no of other company compares. I'm done now with speakers as I have a pair of Bepure 2 speakers. Hopefully, Dennis Murphy will keep manufacturing his speakers for a while to give new customers to get good sounding products at an affordable price.
Cheers Rod
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Double post.
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Good luck in all your endeavors in the future. We got our ss9.5 speakers in November 2020 and smile whenever we listen to them. It was a pleasure to meet you and Mary when we picked up the speakers.
Thank you for skills and talents
James
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Good luck in all your endeavors in the future. We got our ss9.5 speakers in November 2020 and smile whenever we listen to them. It was a pleasure to meet you and Mary when we picked up the speakers.
Thank you for skills and talents
James
James -
Thanks. Much appreciated.
- Jim
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I have always admired your speakers from a distance. The open-backed Accuton is special. I will keep my eyes peeled for if you ever decide to sell plans for your speakers.
Did you have custom drivers made or were you able to use mainly off-the-shelf stuff?
Hey, 20 years of making a living in a very difficult industry. I know your business has come to an end but I still feel as though what you have done is a huge accomplishment!
So it is time for a new chapter. :)
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Did you have custom drivers made or were you able to use mainly off-the-shelf stuff?
Hey, 20 years of making a living in a very difficult industry. I know your business has come to an end but I still feel as though what you have done is a huge accomplishment!
So it is time for a new chapter. :)
Most are off-the-shelf. Others can be ordered. And a couple have been discontinued. While we couldn't control it when a company discontinues a given driver, we tried to select drivers that had a long shelf life. For example, we used the Seas W18 from the very beginning and they are still being manufactured today. In that regard, it has paid off using the very best drivers we could identify for a given design. The better the driver, the longer it will tend to be in production.
Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
- Jim
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I just came across this thread and am so disappointed to see Salk Signature Sound winding down (happy for Jim and Mary, though on starting a new chapter!).
As a proud owner of a pair of excellent Song3 BeATs purchased in 2019, I feel honored to be part of the Salk family. When I cobbled enough funds together to purchase them, it was such an exciting moment. They were my first pair of truly high end speakers and I still love them today.
More importantly, I have to share the story of when I picked them up from the shop in Pontiac. Since I live only about 15 miles from Pontiac, I was so happy to pick them up myself that I brought my then 13 year old son. He is about as far from a budding audio fan as there can be but I wanted him to meet Jim. Upon arriving at the shop, we were greeted by Mary who quickly turned us over to Jim to give an extensive tour of the shop.
Jim shared stories about most of his employees and how he was proud of the chances he gave some of these folks…many of which had been with him for some time. He took the time to explain the machines to my son, the production process, challenges, etc. Jim also shared stories about his love of tennis and imparted on my son so many positive life lessons in a very short time. The time he spent with my son and I is something that we will cherish forever. I feel it’s a universal sense of joy when someone other than a parent imparts positive guidance and anecdotes to our children. Hearing a man with so many life experiences really underscored that my hard-earned dollars were going to good people. Not just another speaker company.
We finished our tour with Jim and Mary meeting us at the loading dock to oversee the loading of my new speakers into my vehicle. I recall them standing on the dock as we pulled away completing what was a very memorable moment for me in this hobby. Similar to that feeling one gets when leaving a holiday party while the remaining attendees wave as you drive away…
Jim and Mary - Your legacy will live on in many listening (and living) rooms across the globe. Thank you for all you have done and I wish you nothing but the best!
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I just came across this thread and am so disappointed to see Salk Signature Sound winding down (happy for Jim and Mary, though on starting a new chapter!).
As a proud owner of a pair of excellent Song3 BeATs purchased in 2019, I feel honored to be part of the Salk family. When I cobbled enough funds together to purchase them, it was such an exciting moment. They were my first pair of truly high end speakers and I still love them today.
More importantly, I have to share the story of when I picked them up from the shop in Pontiac. Since I live only about 15 miles from Pontiac, I was so happy to pick them up myself that I brought my then 13 year old son. He is about as far from a budding audio fan as there can be but I wanted him to meet Jim. Upon arriving at the shop, we were greeted by Mary who quickly turned us over to Jim to give an extensive tour of the shop.
Jim shared stories about most of his employees and how he was proud of the chances he gave some of these folks…many of which had been with him for some time. He took the time to explain the machines to my son, the production process, challenges, etc. Jim also shared stories about his love of tennis and imparted on my son so many positive life lessons in a very short time. The time he spent with my son and I is something that we will cherish forever. I feel it’s a universal sense of joy when someone other than a parent imparts positive guidance and anecdotes to our children. Hearing a man with so many life experiences really underscored that my hard-earned dollars were going to good people. Not just another speaker company.
We finished our tour with Jim and Mary meeting us at the loading dock to oversee the loading of my new speakers into my vehicle. I recall them standing on the dock as we pulled away completing what was a very memorable moment for me in this hobby. Similar to that feeling one gets when leaving a holiday party while the remaining attendees wave as you drive away…
Jim and Mary - Your legacy will live on in many listening (and living) rooms across the globe. Thank you for all you have done and I wish you nothing but the best!
Excellent post, exactly my feelings too. :thumb:
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Great post. My Song3-A - also my first pair of actual high end speakers - arrived last December and I listen to them every day. Really love them and never going to part with them. I didn’t have the good fortune to meet Jim in person.
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Completely agree with the posts above. After my beloved Magnepans died, I was intrigued by what I had read about Salks and emailed Jim. He asked what i liked about the Maggie's and other speakers and pointed me to the Song BeATs over the Song Encores as he thought i would prefer the less expensive BeATs more.
I have enjoyed the BeATs for four years now without any regrets.
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I just came across this thread and am so disappointed to see Salk Signature Sound winding down (happy for Jim and Mary, though on starting a new chapter!).
As a proud owner of a pair of excellent Song3 BeATs purchased in 2019, I feel honored to be part of the Salk family. When I cobbled enough funds together to purchase them, it was such an exciting moment. They were my first pair of truly high end speakers and I still love them today.
More importantly, I have to share the story of when I picked them up from the shop in Pontiac. Since I live only about 15 miles from Pontiac, I was so happy to pick them up myself that I brought my then 13 year old son. He is about as far from a budding audio fan as there can be but I wanted him to meet Jim. Upon arriving at the shop, we were greeted by Mary who quickly turned us over to Jim to give an extensive tour of the shop.
Jim shared stories about most of his employees and how he was proud of the chances he gave some of these folks…many of which had been with him for some time. He took the time to explain the machines to my son, the production process, challenges, etc. Jim also shared stories about his love of tennis and imparted on my son so many positive life lessons in a very short time. The time he spent with my son and I is something that we will cherish forever. I feel it’s a universal sense of joy when someone other than a parent imparts positive guidance and anecdotes to our children. Hearing a man with so many life experiences really underscored that my hard-earned dollars were going to good people. Not just another speaker company.
We finished our tour with Jim and Mary meeting us at the loading dock to oversee the loading of my new speakers into my vehicle. I recall them standing on the dock as we pulled away completing what was a very memorable moment for me in this hobby. Similar to that feeling one gets when leaving a holiday party while the remaining attendees wave as you drive away…
Jim and Mary - Your legacy will live on in many listening (and living) rooms across the globe. Thank you for all you have done and I wish you nothing but the best!
You describe here the very same Jim that I've been fortunate to know, from a different perspective.
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any ideas what will happen with the circle here?
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My guess it will stay open, just like the web site.
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I picked up a pair of SS9.5's with diamond tweeters off Ebay for significantly discounted price since lightly used.
Jim did demo a pair of these for us when we visited him in 2020 prior to purchasing SS9.5's with the diamond tweeters. I wonder how many pair he actually produced with the diamond tweeters. At any rate, am very excited to get these.
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I think they were the only set made with them.
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Jim,
If you don’t mind a suggestion, I think it would be great for you to go the route that John Broskie did. Setup your web site to discuss all things speaker related. Topics to include, but not limited to are:
Speaker construction techniques
Finishing techniques
Speaker veneering
Crossover building
Driver selection
Speaker plans
You could even set up a YouTube channel instead of going the web route. Offer a Patreon subscription
for even more content, sales, etc. This would mate well with your desire to get away from “running the business” and allow you to concentrate on the fun aspects of speaker building. Do live streams with your supporters for feedback on their builds.
I for one would love to support such an effort and I’m sure many of your followers would as well.
Anyway, just my two cents worth.
Good luck on whatever you and Mary decide.
Ron
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Hi Jim,
Was just thinking about getting a new sub and saw the news that you had retired.
Sad news for audiophiles, but best of luck in the next stage of your life.
It was fun working with you to create the WOW1 - I enjoy them daily.
Cheers,
Rick
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=57749)
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Jim,
A pleasure and proud owner of a system that brings a smile every time I fire it all up.
Audio on, Jim.
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Wow, what news to stumble upon!
I ordered my Supercharged SongTowers, SongCenter, and F12 Sub all in Koa wood from Jim during the pandemic and listen to them daily, they work just as happily with my vinyl as they do watching movies or playing videogames. SO happy I was able to get a set while I could.
Thanks for all you've done Jim and good luck with whatever comes next!