[Tirade]

I know the title sounds a little odd but in a way its true.

Let me start by saying that I was hoping I wouldnt have to ask for help. Ive been sending emails and PM's out left and right but I keep coming up short. Some of you know me or have met me in real life and know (or may have heard) whats going on. For those who don't, let me feel you in.

This past May my brother was in a car accident. He was hit by a drunk driver and has been paralyzed from the waist down ever since. His name is Josh and he is 21 years old. Josh is a music major at the University of Alabama and music is his life. He has played in bands since he was 15 and has been into recording, editting, mixing music for as long as I can remember. Josh has always wanted to invest in some nice audio gear but just hasnt had the money. His love for music is something that our entire family shares and he gets it from our father who got it from his father and so on. Being 30 years of age mysef Ive only recently started to make the move into nicer equipment but recently sold most of it to start up a home theatre project Ive been wanting to do for my kids.

Anyway, back to the purpose of this post. My brother hasnt been the same since the accident and I dont just mean physically. He has lost that spark that he had that always made people smile when he was around. His birthday is coming up and my wife and I decided to start up a project that we hope will turn things around for him. After talking to a lot of people over at the audio asylums PC Audio area, we determined that the best line of action would be to build him a PC and rip all his LP's and CD's to the harddrive and then we purchased a device called a squeezebox2 so that he can access and play all of his music with a remote control. There is only one audio shop around town here and they have helped out with a few cables and an old amplifier that we are hoping we can get fixed cheap, but there are a lot of pieces we still need to finish this up.

While insurance covered some of the bills for the accident, there was over $38k that wasnt covered and the bills arent done coming in. Financially my family is strapped so Im hoping some of the gang here can help us out. Let me first state that Im not here looking for handouts. Im a computer technician by trade and I have a TON of computer parts laying around that Im willing to trade out for some old audio gear (working or not working). I have hard drives, cd and dvd writers, memory, etc etc. So if you have anything youre willing to trade out that we still need, please let me know and thanks for taking the time to read this. I will be cheacking my email and PM's daily and will gladly give out my phone # to anyone who would like to call and work out something.

Tim

[ScottMayo]

So if you have anything youre willing to trade out that we still need...

My sympathies for the loss.

What do you have? It sounds like you have an amp and cables; are you looking for a preamp and speakers? Also, what are you trading out?

BTW, in cases like this, it's good to be able to point people to an article in an online newspaper, describing the accident (so they know you aren't scamming). And, it's sometimes useful to have the gifts given "through" a local church, so the contributor can get an uncontested tax write off for the charity he's providing. That helps business owners out.

I probably don't have to tell you that if the drunk survived, he should be forced to pay every penny of expense you incur, even if it ruins him for the rest of his life. Zero tolerance for morons who drive while drunk. (I'm assuming he was uninsured, and suing is the only recourse.) At any rate, with a case like this, the courts are going to be your friend. Keep very careful track of everything you spend, because it's all going to be due back to you.

[Tirade]

My sympathies for the loss.

What do you have? It sounds like you have an amp and cables; are you looking for a preamp and speakers? Also, what are you trading out?

I built him a PC and provided all the parts for it and I purchased the Squeezebox to use as a front end. The cables were donated as was an amp, but the amp is only working through the right channel and its currently being looked at to see if it can be fixed for cheap. Honestly I dont think a preamp will needed because the Squeezebox has volume capabilities and he can use a remote so that its not a hassle for him since he has trouble getting around. I was told that I should have the squeezebox modifed or purchase an external DAC but I wasnt able to negotiate a trade with any for those services and I even contacted Vinny at redwine audio but hes a new business owner and understandably isnt able to do his work for cheap. So we might need an amp (depends on the cost to repair this one), might need a dac and might need some speakers (A guy in the local classifieds has some Thiel 3.5's for sale for $798 and Im going to contact him today and see if I can work something out).

I am trading out every extra piece of PC equipment that I have left which is:

1. 512MB (2 X 256) - GEIL PC3500 DDR RAM
2. DVD+RW (support -R -RW and +R also)
3. 200GB HD (still sealed in the box)
4. HP Laserjet 4050TN Laserprinter (This thing is worth $400-$500 but weighs a TON).
5. MS Multimedia Keyboard (New in box)
6. 2.2GB USB Flash Drive (Link = http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=124986 )
7. 100 Blank DVD+R (New sealed in 2 X 50 pack)
8. M-Audio Audiophile 2496 Soundcard (Used but have retail box)
9. M-Audio 7.1 Soundcard (OEM Card only)
10. Linksys Broadband Router (BEFSR41)
11. Netgear 8-port Switch

While this isnt much it should help out with getting the missing pieces and I do have SOME money to spend if I can work out a deal. I figure if nothing comes up then Ill ebay it all and see what kind of cash deals I can work out.

BTW, in cases like this, it's good to be able to point people to an article in an online newspaper, describing the accident (so they know you aren't scamming). And, it's sometimes useful to have the gifts given "through" a local church, so the contributor can get an uncontested tax write off for the charity he's providing. That helps busi ...

I had a guy suggest that I open a paypal account up for people who wanted to give donations but I refused because of the exact thing you mention here. Rather than turn it into an issue of truthfullness I stated that we werent looking for donations but rather for trades and this is also why I didnt want to bring this public if at all possible.

Ive contacted a few people privately who have some stuff for sale in the AC classifieds and tried to bargain or trade my way into a few things but I havent had much luck. I recently sold my pair of VMPS 626r's (since you are a VMPS owner, mine were purchased from Wayne at Bolder Cable and he would be able to confirm that) through the AC classifieds to an AC member in order to start funding my HT setup so I hope that maybe Ill have some sort of credibility. I just returned from vacation and started this project last week on a whim as a surprise birthday gift and it ended up costing more money than I anticipated.

As for the insurance and lawsuit discussion.. its not worth talking about because all I do is get upset. The driver claims he had insurance but his company claims it was expired and "supposedly" he is trying to file something with his insurance company. According to the driver he has no assests, no money, and no property, so suing him would result in nothing.

[CornellAlum]

I am an insurance agent if you need help I am happy to provide it. I call BS on no assetts, he has a car doesn't he.  And finally, if you get an attorney and win, they will garnish his wages for the rest of his life...I have seen it happen numerous times.  

That said, I can donate a pair of sweet brand new interconnects if you need them.

Daryan

[Tirade]

I wanted to give a quick thanks to those who have replied so far and let you guys know that we appreciate the PM's, even if they are just to say youre praying for us.

Oh and a HUGE thanks to Wayne over at Bolder Cable Company. Wayne didnt know about the situation with my brother until he read this message and offered to mod the Squeezebox2 into a formidible preamp for what most audiophiles consider pennies. Ive known Wayne for a few years now and he is one of those guys that never ceases to amaze me. Ive also received some PM's for some other things and Ill update this thread as we get a few things ironed out to let everyone know how things are going.

Thanks,

Tim

[warnerwh]

Best wishes to you and your family. Keep a positive attitude. Your brother will be fine with time. No doubt that's an extremely hard blow to deal with but it can be dealt with.  Cheers

[mlschifter]

Hello Tim...

I'm sure we can donate a real nice pair of ELT LRS's and a matching ELT SW-10 subwoofer...

Please connect with me this week via mlsav123@mac.com

I'm going to running hard this week with our CO GTG (starts for us on Wednesday)... but if you give me the Thumbs Up and a ship to, I'll get this handled for you...

I only wish I could do more...

Most humbly...

mls

[Tirade]

Im not sure what to say Mark..

Having never heard the ELT speakers (but having owned the 750's) all I can say is this is almost unbelievable. If they are anything like the rocket products Ive heard then I think my brother is about to be blown away.

You guys really do rock and it makes me proud to be a member of the forums and owner/previous owner of the products that you and Wayne sell and build. When it comes time for me to make the step back into audio, you guys know where Ill be spending my money.

I really cant thank you guys enough and it looks like other than a few things, he will have not only a complete setup but something that most people would only dream about.

Mark, Ill get that email to you ASAP but I think you already have my shipping information in your computer.

Thanks,

Tim

[mlschifter]

Im not sure what to say Mark..

Having never heard the ELT speakers (but having owned the 750's) all I can say is this is almost unbelievable. If they are anything like the rocket products Ive heard then I think my brother is about to be blown away.

You guys really do rock and it makes me proud to be a member of the forums and owner/previous owner of the products that you and Wayne sell and build. When it comes time for me to make the step back into audio, you guys know where Ill be spending my money. ...

My pleasure...

Do let me know how he's doing... and if he likes our little guys...  

Wishing you and yours all the very best...

mls

[eric the red]

Tim-What specifically do you need as far as audio gear goes in order to complete your brother's set up? I have a few things sitting here that may be of use. Let us know.

[Tirade]

Just a quick update for everyone. It looks like we have almost everything we need to complete this entire project! Not only that but it happened in less than 72 hours! Other than a few cables (Im working with Wayne to see what hes got available but if anyone has any cables, drop me a PM and let me know since Wayne has already done a lot) and a set of speaker stands for the donated speakers, we appear to have everything.

You guys are amazing.

Thanks,

Tim



Edit : An afternoon update, we have got all the cables covered with the exception of speaker cables.

Edit 2: We got stands!

[Tirade]

Wanted to give a quick Friday update.

I received an amp from a member as a donation but it was not working so I sent it to Wayne at Bolder Cable to look at it. Luckily another member came through with a working amp!

The modded SB2 is coming along nicely and will be here next week.

I have a tracking number for some speaker stands so they are on the way!

The speakers should be here next week as well but things are hectic at av123 because of the Colorado GTG. One day I'd like to attend such an event.

Wayne and another forum member are sending me some cables, so I assume those will be in next week sometime. Speaker cables may still be up in the air at the moment but I can always use wire him up with some home depot wire that I have here.

All the people who I worked out trades/deals with have either received or will receive their packages by today or have already been sent their money via paypal. If you dont have your stuff by tonight send me a PM please.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Tim