A few things contributed:
First, I was awfully impressed by some truly affordable components that seemed, to me, to offer truly hi-end sound: The PSB Alpha B1 loudspeakers, then the Aperion Audio Intimus 532 loudspeakers, and finally the Trends TA-10.1 amplifier. These are only a few. I know there are so many more out there. My experience with these particular pieces, along with my newfound enthusiasm for listening to music through an iPod and Shure SE310 in-ear headphones, got me very excited for the possibility of bringing high-end hi-fi to a younger crowd. I talked about it, and other things, with Vinnie Rossi and John DeVore and Michael Lavorgna.
Second, it suddenly seemed as though we were getting a lot of first-timers in the forum, people writing in saying they were putting together their very first hi-fi and they needed our advice, or wanted our opinion, on this or that. It was refreshing. It felt important. I liked it. I wanted to share my experiences with these people. When they asked about affordable loudspeakers, I would tell them about the PSBs and the Aperions. When they asked about affordable amps, I would tell them about the Trends. But what about all of the questions I couldn't answer? I talked about it with Wes Phillips and Jeff Wong and John Atkinson.
Third, I'd been wondering about other audio forums — not the Audio Asylum because that place drives me crazy, but places like Head-Fi and AudioCircle and the Steve Hoffman Music Forums. They seemed rich, vibrant, pulsing with positive energy and activity. And I wanted to give the Stereophile forum a bit of a push in the right direction. I wanted to capitalize, I suppose, on my own charged-up audio enthusiasm and that aforementioned sudden influx of newcomers to our site. I had an idea. I talked to John Atkinson about it:
"John, I've been thinking of creating a new section in our forum specifically for beginners, a place where..."
And I saw John's eyes grow large and my words trailed off as he nodded eagerly, and I figured it was a good idea.
***
There's a new section in our forum called The Entry Level. It's a funny and wonderful thing: Ever since we opened The Entry Level, our forums have been buzzing. We've gained several new members, and new threads have been popping up everywhere. And, best of all, folks seem to be in a generally good mood — helpful, pleasant, and genuinely enthusiastic.
This makes me very happy. I hope that you will check it out.
***
One of the many special characteristics common to music lovers and audiophiles and, of course, music lovers who are audiophiles is the desire to share — not only knowledge, but passion — to teach, to mentor. Through this exchange of enthusiasm and information, we'll help to see that the joy of music, and our fascination with the gear that brings it to life, is preserved.
Please, those of you who are new to hi-end hi-fi, feel free to share your insights, ask your questions, search for answers. We've got some great teachers here. And the dialogue flows both ways, of course: As you get deeper into all of this, you'll help us to retrace those same steps, to remind ourselves of those elements of our enthusiasm.
