[David Ellis]

I need your input.

For 2005 I started a page in the 1801 section titled "Customer Community".  I would like to fill this page with all of my previous 1801 customers.  There are about 100-150 previous 1801 customers.  I have this information on paper via envelopes, notes, and such in my financial records.  I also have some contact information in my email account.  However, I lost much of this information in a computer crash that caught me off-guard last summer    

I was having some minor computer issues, so I decided to take my computer to the local computer guys for a peek.  Well, I neglected to use the seatbelt for the computer (dumb   ) .  I had to slam the breaks really hard.  My computer whacked the dashboard of my truck then went head-first on the floor of my pickup truck.  My heart "sunk".  I lost darn near everything - even the power supply.     Sure, I can smile and laugh about this situation now, but rebuilding pieces of a computer is very time consuming.  The result is that my email files are gone.  

Anyhow, to my point...  I would really like to fill my Customer Community web page with previous 1801 customers.

http://www.ellisaudio.com/Customer%20Community.htm

I am doing this for a few reasons.  First, I believe fundmentally that audioholics don't like to "drink" alone.   It's much better to listen and chat with someone else in the local community.  I certainly realize this.  I sincerely hope that folks will make social conections via the customer list on my page.  I visited with a gent about 1 week about about modifying Jolida amplifiers.  They guy lived 2 miles from me and we didn't know about each-other.  We had a wonderful chat together.  I don't believe this happens enough.  There are so few hifi guys that often the only audio related discussion we share is at the local hifi shop.

I believe this is less than ideal for a couple reasons.  First, I know their time is valuable.  What follows is that I feel obligated to buy something.  The sad part is that they don't have anything that I want.  I haven't entered a hifi shop in about 2 years.  They have neither the gear or knowledge that interestests me.  This latter part, knowledge, is very key.  

I think my customers have a huge un-tapped knowledge base.  The system information listed on my page will provide an excellent "index" for this knowledge.  A good hifi audioholic can easily be as smart as any guy in a commercial store about hifi gear and such.  Often his equipment will sound equally good, or perhaps better than the hifi shop's equipment.  The very best part in all of this is that the ordinary average hifi audioholic 1801 customer is totally unbiased.  He isn't selling anything, and has no self interest or bias     Further, I am noticing that many of my customers have exposure to audio gear that is totally foreign to me.  It makes much more sense to ask someone about Boulder cables that actually uses them.

My personal self-interest in the Customer Community page is that I want future customers to contact current customers about system application questions.  Approximately 1/3rd of the questions I receive from people considering the 1801s relates to how they will sound in application x, y, z.  I can respond to these questions, but often there is someone else who can better address these queries.

Please send me any/all information you are willing to share for the Customer Community page via email.  Your email address will be encoded in Java.  A very good web designer told me this method ensures that spam seeking programs won't find this email and use it.

Also, please don't think your system is too "humble" to be listed on this page.  Roughly 1/2 of 1801 customers use the 1801s on consumer grade source gear.  All of these people ask me about their gear before they purchase.   I also get asked about Home Theater and center channels very often.  In both regards, someone who uses this type of gear can answer questions much better than me.

If you don't have a picture, don't worry about it.  I don't need a picture.  Further, ugly speakers and pretty speakers sound equally good   .

If you have any questions about this matter, please post them here.

Sincerely,

[brj]

Hi Dave!

Your idea for a "customer community" sounds like a good one, but you might want to consider an additional, more focused AC sticky as well - a thread aimed solely at those 1801 owners that are willing to allow others into their home for auditions.  This might seem to overlap the list on your website, but that page doesn't specifically state that the people listed are willing to host auditions.  It also would help support your already established forum on AC.

This has been done in a few other circles, and typically people list their system description, city of residence and any contact restrictions.  More detailed contact information (phone numbers, actual street address, etc.) can be exchanged via PM.  I think this would go a long way toward augmenting your 1801 roadshow (and probably show off your cabinet finishing better than a touring model).

Just a stray thought for you!

[David Ellis]

I kinda figured that I'd leave it up to the gentlemen exchanging emails  to decide on home auditions.  I suppose if guys want to publish this - great, but this just doesnt' seem universally right/acceptable.  I think gents would rather address this on a case-by-case basis.  

I will, however, give this some more thought.

Sincerely,

[brj]

I kinda figured that I'd leave it up to the gentlemen exchanging emails  to decide on home auditions.  I suppose if guys want to publish this - great, but this just doesnt' seem universally right/acceptable.  I think gents would rather address this on a case-by-case basis.

This approach still leaves the decision to post entirely in 1801 owners' hands.  If 1801 owners don't want people contacting them about auditions, then they would not post in that sticky thread.  If they do post in that thread (listing their city of residence), then other potentially interested readers know immediately whether there is an 1801 available locally to audition.  The advantage being that only people that post in the thread will receive emails or PMs from interested parties, and not everyone in your community.

I guess the distinction is that you may want to participate in the community, but would prefer not to offer auditions (or receive emails asking for auditions).

[EProvenzano]

I like the idea of 'sticky' threads too.  If for no other reason, it would be convenient. I am at AC a couple times a week and could find all the info I'm looking for in one place.

Dave I can see by the way you like to organize your Posts you could easily have 4-6 'sticky' threads encapsulating the most relavent topics. These 'sticky' threads could greatly reduce your time expendature here.
BR,
EP

[David Ellis]

EP,

Which threads could/should be made "sticky".  Also, can I get your demographics and fresh picture of your 1801s - and maybe the twins too?

[hubert]

hello dave, you'll know me a little more:
Hubert KELLER
Age: 47
Location: Mulhouse, Elsass, France
Occupation: Music copyright
Status: married, two girls age: 16 & 19
hobbies: sport-motorcycle on track and our mountain amazing bend-roads (Vosges), snowskiing, mechanical sciences, astro-physics and...loving my family's members.
System: based on Goldmund (swiss made, solid-states) electronics:
- CD-DVD Easyline turntable
- SRDA 2 D/A Converter
- SRP2 Pre-amp
- SRA 50watts Stereo Power-amp
Tuner: an old Luxman analog T2L
Wires: speakers: Taralabs Ref Gen 2 (Taralabs guys have knowledge)
          modulation: Taralabs Air 3
          digital: Goldmund Lineal Cable
Speakers:
1   Dynaudio Gemini kit modified 3 ways with Esotar uper-mid and tweeter with subbass Focal audium 38
2   Scan-speak Revelaror 5.5 sliced-cone / Revelator tweeter in a vented aluminium box
3   1801 Ellisaudio "half-floorstanded" version
email: hubert.keller@sacem.fr

Music preferences: blues, female voices, indian-arabs-world music ()always on well-recorded CDs

[David Ellis]

Thanks Hubert,

Your information is posted.

Dave

[EProvenzano]

EP,

Which threads could/should be made "sticky".  Also, can I get your demographics and fresh picture of your 1801s - and maybe the twins too?

Hi.
Sure, I'll get you some info very shortly. I've finally completed my stands and they are gorgeous!...finally a picture worthy system!

Re: Sticky. For starters, I'd add a DIY/Construction Sticky. I'd lay out some ground rules in the first post, essentially welcoming everyone to discuss their build experience. Including things like crossover assembly, stuffing, port length...these are just a few topics that I've seen covered here lately.

A sticky for System Specs and demographics, as you've requested might also be fruitful.  Some may say this would be redundant considering that many folks here already have their system uploaded into the AC profile. Nonetheless, a common place to find this info would be nice.  Personally, I like the idea because I don't have the time to check everyone's profile to know if they own 1801's. However, if a sticky existed I'd love to explore all the system choices made by other 1801 owners. I think this should yield some friendly conversation at least, and possibly some educational discussions.
I love looking at system pictures, so I'd like to see everyone include one shot of their system included in their post for this thread.
Maybe you could manage this thread so it does not include any dialogue; rather only system and demographic info, if for no other reason but to keep it user friendly.

Thanks.

[randog]

Just in case you want another vote, I agree with Emilio!

[EProvenzano]

Hi Dave,

Emilio Provenzano
Calgary Alberta Canada
Father of twin boys, and husband to one great wife!
Print shop operator by day and Audio hobbyist by night  

My musical tastes are widely varied.
Right now my CDP is loaded with 1/ Mahler's 6th, Telarc SACD  2/ Neil Young's latest Best Of CD  3/ DSOTM SACD  and  4/ 'Dawg Duos' featuring David Grisman (fantastic CD, w/excellent sound quality)
My TT is spinning Hendrix, Isle of Wright.

My system includes:
Ellis made 1801's. Featuring fantastic Burled Walnut baffles (thank you Dave).
Jolida 801A integrated amplifier. Featuring mods by Chris Johnson
Sony SCD-C555ES SACD/CD player.
BASIS Audio 1400 Turn Table with Rega RB250 Tone arm and Grado Silver MM Cartridge
Monolithic Sound PS1 Phono pre-amp
Goertz Python speaker cables
DIY Fine silver interconnects throughout
Bolder Cable DIN Phono interconnect
Belden based DIY power cords throughout

Here's a recent system shot. I've downsized considerably and my listening room is part of a smallish bedroom.  Hope to be building a new home soon and having a dedicated entertainment room again.  This little room has been surprisingly good, however!  It is well damped sounds very solid even though I'm without my SCC300 subwoofers now....



...and here's a recent shot of my two monsters...
If Lisa and I didn't hold them back during the singing of Happy Birthday, everyone in the room would have been wearing their peice of cake instead of eating it!



BR,
EP

[MemphisJim]

In looking at the first photo posted by Emilio, I see a wonderful looking pair of speakers! I also see what appears to be the tweeters reversed from the way my speakers are (my right is his left and visa versa). Do I have my speakers set-up incorrectly? Or does it even matter?

Thanks,
Jim

[David Ellis]

Do I have my speakers set-up incorrectly? Or does it even matter?

It doesn't matter, but I like how my speakers look with the arrangement opposite Emilio's.  My speakers are like your's Jim.

BTW, those are fine looking twins!!!

[David Ellis]

Also,

DIY Fine silver interconnects throughout

Did you find these had an impact?  If so, how significant?

Also, do you really miss your subwoofer?  I have lived with and without the SCC300.  Sure, it's a great subwoofer, but I really don't miss its absence.

Dave

[EProvenzano]

Also,

DIY Fine silver interconnects throughout

Did you find these had an impact?  If so, how significant?

Also, do you really miss your subwoofer?  I have lived with and without the SCC300.  Sure, it's a great subwoofer, but I really don't miss its absence.

Hi,
Thanks for the kind words.  The twins are the best thing that ever happend to us......but they are terrors from another world!

Dave, the best way I can describe those interconnects is that they rank up there with some other 'tweaks' I've done.  I need to listen very carefully and be in the right mood, but I can distinguish these from generic commercial stuff, and other DIY designs of the coaxial variety.  For example, these outperform the 89259 coax interconnects that were all the rage a couple years ago, to my ears at least.
This is the Chris VH design using spiraled fine silver around a center tube.  I chose Bullet Plug connectors. I considered them an excellent value when I did my research and they do the job nicely!  My perspective is that I must have a very very resolving system/audio room, before cables ever become the weakest link.  I have a lot to do before that happens....taming reflection points in my room is first on my to do list.

I noticed similar improvements by putting isolation points underneath my CDP.  In the case of the isolation points I'm not so sure it is an improvement, but rather a change. I think the mid range is slightly more clear...but could be my mind playing tricks on me    ...these were free.

I must say that my new stands are the single best improvement to happen to my system since my Turn Table. The bass is awsome. The speakers 'feel' much more impactful. I think the dynamics has taken a nice step forward. I'm noticing more punch in CD's that I don't normally get startled by....nice

Actually, I do miss the subwoofers. I think they gave an added presence in the lower octaves that the 1801's don't always have...depending on material.

Cheers!

[Al Garay]

My turn.

Al Garay
Location: Shoreline, Washington, USA
Occupation: Software Configuration Manager
Status: Married, 2 daughters ages 7 and 9
Hobbies: Coaching daughers' soccer teams, teaching them tennis and other sports; camping; target shooting;cooking and eating

Current system: Speakers - Ellis 1801b with subwoofers stands using Sonic Craft SCC300 in 2.5 cf sealed enclosures using Behringer DCX2496A for active crossover
Amplifiers - AKSA 100watt Nirvana (ready to apply Nirvana Plus upgrade) monoblocks driving 1801s, Crown Macrotech 1200 to drive subs
Preamp - BentAudio TX102S
Source - NAD T751 multi disc DVD player as transport connected to Boulder modified Mensa ART DI/O digital processor and also using Slim Devices Squeezebox connecting my PC to ART DI/O.
Cables - Vampire STIII (fire hose) for 1801s, Pro Co Fat Max for subs
Surge protector, filter - Brickwall

System works very well for music and home theater. Don't really need the subs for music. Would like to improve integration with subs using Behringer or something else, trying to match or improve sound plugging directly from preamp to amps and bypassing Behringer.  Have heard mac's DEQX crossover, extremely impressive sounding and a matching impressive price tag. Striving towards simplification and making system easy for family to use for music or movies.

Recent picture watching School of Rock (can't live on Jazz alone):

http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=4231

There are more pictures in the AudioCircle gallery:
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/modules.php?set_albumName=albur05&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Al

[randog]

Dave, I tried to add a gallery, but I can't get it to show.             I've emailed you pics.

Randal (Randy, Randog) Bertuccelli
Age: 43
Location: Northern California Sierra Foothills
Status: Beautiful wife and 2 girly-girls 5 & 7
Occupation: Business owner: Product Design Consultancy

Hobbies: Vintage Autos (65 Chevy pickup, 74 Ford Bronco) and Motorcycles (52 Pan, 55 Vespa, 85 Ironhead, 93 Softail), tending 12 acres and doing daddy duty. Fondness for old Americana music and manufacture.

Music preferences: jazz, rock, blues, zydeco, roots, classical, bluegrass, alternative, big band, swing, reggae... most American roots through contemporary, all of which gets very little airplay.  

System 1: HT/2-channel
Outlaw processor
IRD Purest pramp
Odyssey Stratos amps (2)
Norh CD-1 cdp
Anthem CD-1 6dcdp
Sansui TU-717 tuner w/mods
Marchand XM9 active xo
IC's: Bolder Cable, misc others
Ellis 1801b's and GR-Research AV-1 surrounds; walnut cabinets by Darren Thomas
SCC300 subs; walnut and cherry veneer cabinets by Christof
Speaker Cables: Zu Wax (1801's) and Julian (SCC300)
BPT 2.0 Ultra power conditioner

Best tweak: 6 heavy duty casters on A/V armoir! It's a tweak you can't hear or see, but it's saved my back a dozen times over!

Systems 2,3...: Misc Vintage 2-channel components (in progress)
AR ES-1 turntable
McIntosh MX-110 tube preamp/tuner
McIntosh MX-113 SS preamp/tuner
McIntosh MC-2105 amp
McIntosh MR-55 tube tuner
Marantz 2285B receiver (bought new)
Looking for Spendor SP-1 or Klipsch Heresy speaks to round out.

[randog]

Oops. Thanks to some help I found my album:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=496

 

[jackman]

Randog's speakers!  Very nice looking.

Jack

[jackman]

Doc Photo's job is safe for now.  I need to learn how to take better pictures.  My flash was too bright but without it things look too dark.  I will have my wife take the next picture and substitute her work for mine!  

J