Wow! Just found this thread, because I was wondering why I recieved something from "AudioCircle" about my posts. Then I read Danny's post below where he names me as some kind of "sales pitch offender".
I also just briefly ran through some of the posts and found many great opinions.
In my "defense", I can only plead ignorance of the rules, since I post rather freely and many times much information or opinion.
Also I haven't paid much attention to the particular area I post in, since I clearly identify myself and my affiliations, I don't generally post differently.
While I am a VMPS dealer, (not a distributor), I think I should explain that the reason I post about VMPS is "I LIKE THEM".
I became a dealer not for financial remuneration (let me assure you that is not much) but because I like the product. Plain and Simple.
Additionally, I am a dealer for 25 other SPEAKER brands, including Snell, Wraith, PCM, Energy, Athena, JAMO, JBL Synthesis, Krell, KEF, and etc.
I talk, own and write about what I like. I like to help others not only enjoy it too, but get good pricing. I also feel it valuable to exlain what it is, that I feel makes the equipment good or great.
This makes it a little difficult (now that I know what the rules are) to post really about anything, since I have the connections to sell products in many areas and brands.
I see other enthusiasts who may not be dealers, per se, but who definatley recieve "benefits" via free use of products, products themselves, and other perks, which swells their enthusiasm for certain manufactureres or lines. That is cool.
High End Audio "IS" a community, isn't it??
While I can be quite verbose
, I can generally back up everything I state with a reason for the opinion and whether it is subjective or objectively arrived at.
I feel that Frank's comment was informative, honest and well meaning, and should not have in any way have been perceived as "Drum Beating" or an advertisment.
I felt the same way about my comments since they are motivated in the spirit of information and sharing rather than "can I make a sale"
I am also in the Exercise and Fitness Business (my real job) and if I encourage people to exercise and eat healthy am I giving a "SALES PITCH"? I don't think so. I'm offering information and motivation to enjoy what I enjoy.
Posting a sales pitch for VMPS every time someone asks about speakers can get old, John Casler (nothing against VMPS).
The "consider this post" does not bother me at all, but he lays it on a bit thick sometimes, and when a continued sales pitch shows through it does not look good.
Anyway, I hope my views were worth the 2 cents...
Danny,
Maybe the above comments help you understand my motivation. I have reivewed my most recent post regarding a floor standing speaker and find it informative and I clearly identified myself as a "dealer". It's in my signature too.
If the "discount" reference was in question, I made it to define the price range of the speaker to AudioCircle Members via dealers.
I find it no more "promoting" than you refering to the how you "need to send a pair of Diluceo's up to all you guys in the Chicago area for you to try"
I find that fine too.
I might write large amounts of information, but it has "nothing" to do with Brian, or VMPS, but it has to do with ME and my set up and "USE" of VMPS and other Audio products and my listening preferences.
I can see how difficult it can be to "sort" this type of situation out, since Frank, and Danny, and guys like me, all got into this hobby a little deeper, because of our love of it.
Frank is a Legend, Danny is a "budding legend" and I'm just a very enthusiastic supporter of High End Audio.
At this point I think that as long as dealers, and manufacturers clearly define themselves, most any non-commercial, "informative" post should be reasonable.
If you examine mine closely, they are informative, defined and stated as my opinion, and if I'm not mistaken I clearly state that several times in most posts.
Danny's interpretation of this as a "sales pitch" is incorrect, and his opinion. I for one would welcome any and all thoughts, ideas, preferences and concepts that he uses to create his speakers.
I wouldn't call it a sales pitch however. I'd call it sharing his enthusiasm for his work, love, and product. Others might feel differently.
