Guys,
I'm sitting uncomfortably at a PC station far too small for me at Sri's family home in Semarang. I've just read through the comments, and thank you profusely for positive tone.
First up, thanks Darren, yes, I have to build assembled product, and the kitset business was probably a necessary prelude to a solid reputation as this industry is competitive. Next step has to be a review, if I can find anyone locally.
Next, I don't take all the credit. There are (fortunately!) many people behind Aspen. One man can't do it all. Laurie (aka Tliner), the brilliant designer of the Vsonics, Richard in Mt Gambier South Australia (my home town) who has built many variants of the AKSA and now the GK2 and done extensive listening tests; Colin Brown, the Canadian carpenter/musician who builds my amps and has been deeply involved with the Soraya; Siva, a genius level mathematician in Bangalore who has helped with simulations and a close analysis of second order phase lead; Ron in Kent UK who has built and is presently testing a GK2; and even a few notables on DIYaudio who have abused me big time and prompted me to learn LTSpice, something I'm rapidly coming up to speed with and which has accelerated development greatly, to my surprise.
Since leaving the IT industry in 2001 (this is where my quals lie) I have given my entire work time to audio, and loved it. I won't be stopping any time soon. I feel invigorated by my Indonesian trip - it's enervating physically but immensely interesting - and will enjoin the challenges of 2009 with renewed energy, grateful for the luxuries we all enjoy in the cold, distant West.
Andy, your kind offer for a GTG is extremely kind, and I really appreciate it. Your system has wonderful sound, and will impress all who hear it. And that reggae version of Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most hilarious pieces of well done musical humour I've heard, up there with Gerard Hoffnung!!
The present AUD/US exchange rate reflects the flight of foreign investment capital back to the US recently but I can't see it lasting, since there are still funds in the US and Europe awaiting investment and I would expect it to move back to the AUD, raising it's price, as interest rates here look like increasing somewhat as inflation begins in a few months, reflecting the huge amount of pump cash injected into the Oz economy by our government. I doubt it will rise much over US80c but it will not drop further in my belief. This does make it a good time to buy, particularly as in the next quarter I may be forced to increase prices somewhat to reflect increased inventory costs.
My return to Indonesia after 25 years has given me a unique opportunity to see changes I glimpsed in 1983 and which have seen the rapid expansion of a dynamic middle class, of which my wife's family is a member. In Sri's family home there now live Sri's elderly Mother, three couples and their children, altogether 18 people and a live-in maid. There are two Toyota cars, one new, a 1942 Jeep in good condition, and seven single cylinder motocycles. The house is large, air conditioned, close to central Semarang, a bustling, hilly and dense city of 3 million, and the children - at least two for each couple - seem to be raised by the entire complement of adults. This tends to even out any deficiences in personality, leading to well balanced individuals. It is very difficult to convey the warmth and sense of belonging of the extended Indonesian family. It is roughly similar for me to being raised in a country community surrounded by my cousins on all sides, but not the same because we never actually lived together. Possessions here are all shared, yet ownership is never disputed, and the harmony, particularly over a meal, is extraordinary.
I estimate the middle class has tripled to 20% in 25 years. This is now an intensely competitive commercial environment, with huge takeup of modern technologies like motor vehicles, cell phones, computing, and cameras. The cinematography I see on the local TV channels is the equal of anything I have seen in Oz and America, possibly better, certainly more dynamic and fast moving. The traffic is utterly bewildering, although I have driven some distance across town without incident. There are literally no road rules, but an exalting cooperation and tolerance, which makes Oz look very aggressive and hostile. Wherever one goes in the cities there is a parking attendant who for 20c or so will guide you in an out to a suitable space with the utmost courtesy. The roads range from superb, premium tollways where one could drive at 200 kph right down to mud pits (on main roads too) where a 4WD would be most suited. Stopping at traffic lights can be harrowing; human spectres with faces like death appear from time to time with hands outstretched, begging for a few rupiah (presently around 7,700 Rp to the AUD). And yet the shopping malls are the equal of anything I've seen in the West, fully air conditioned, glitzy, and VERY expensive - I paid $AUD4 for a lousy cup of coffee in one recently. Clearly there are many wealthy people here, around 10% of the population.
I visited a local TV station with Sri to interview a retired Major General who is a candidate for the forthcoming general elections. His adviser has worked with Taksin Shinowat, and Dr Mahatir, an impressive track record. This guy was quite a performer on TV, essential here, and probably stands a good chance as his platform is 'justice for the poor people'. But his opponents are formidable since they will fight for the status quo which raised them to power and wealth.
I've found the weather not too bad. I've almost acclimatised with about five days. I do not find it too hot any more, but am relieved to sleep in an air conditioned room. This is the rainy season; there are two or three downpours each of 25 mms in the late afternoon and evening; but temperatures are seldom more than 28C.
Not much English is spoken. I've had to trot out my rusty Indonesian, but it's coming back to me finally. People have been marvellous, and many try their schoolday English and most middle class Indonesians and business people have passable, understandable English. But there are many other languages, too, including three distinct Javanese languages, which are widely used within the family. My comprehension is difficult, but I can always get my point across. Last night I chatted with a serving LTCOL in Army Intelligence over dinner for more than an hour and managed to convey something of life in Australia, which really interested him (of course!). Generally, the Indonesian mentality is dynamic, yet unconcerned with the rest of the world, so an Australian might as well come from Europe, or America - we white faces tend to be lumped together.
In all families there are the bright ones. Sri has a nephew and a niece who are both very clever, but because of administrative issues largely related to insufficient funds cannot proceed with their education. In this competitive society, everything has a price, but exactly what that price is is often not conveyed, if you get my drift..... This sort of thing frustrates me, and I can see a bit of help is needed. We have helped out with the family before, and look forward to doing so again. The concept of Indonesian family has really been brought home to me, and I really do enjoy it.
Tomorrow we fly to Jakarta, then on to Pekan Baru in Sumatra to see Sri's brother and his family. After three days we return to JKT to stay with a retired General, his wife is a close friend of Sri's and two of his children were educated in Melbourne. Then we return home by Singapore Airlines around 20th.
Seano, I look forward to getting you into a VSonics kit on return!!
Cheers, and thank you all for your interest and support, and here's hoping 2009 is not the ridiculous recession the pundits would have us all believe,
Hugh
