I'm a member of the Hoffman forum. I think the new policy is probably a good idea.

If you've ever read any of the discussions there about sound quality and mastering, you know that they sometimes become heated arguments about which version of a recording is better. While that can be amusing and even informative, it also gets a little silly, given that everybody involved is listening on different equipment with different ears.

An example: there have been lots of claims on Hoffman that the original Led Zepplin CDs, mastered by Barry Diament in the late 80's, are actually better than the more recent remasters. Recently, one of the members started a thread stating that he didn't agree and asking if anybody else out there thought that the whole argument for the originals had gotten out of hand. The thread got a little heated. I say, what's the point? Everybody likes what they like.

However, if you're an engineer who takes a lot of pride in your work, like Steve Hoffman, and somebody makes an offhanded remark about your remastering lacking treble, I think you have a right to want to know what kind of equipment is being used to make that judgement. I don't think the goal is to be elitist, just informed. If the forum becomes elitist, they'll lose lots of members (me, for one).

I'm a graphic designer, and while much of the assessment of my work is subjective, there is a part of it that isn't. There is good design and bad design. It can make me crazy when my work is criticized by people who don't have enough experience and information to make the judgements they do. It's an occupational hazard, but it's annoying. I know what I'm doing. I strongly suspect Mr. Hoffman does, too. He's more than willing to listen to any opinions about his work (as am I), But if it's going to be criticized by somebody who doesn't know what they're talking about ON HIS WEBSITE, I think it's reasonable to ask for some information about how that opinion was formed.

I saw that whole thing yesterday. I'm up in the air over whether I'm going to leave the information on my systems there or not. I think anything I say is so taken for granted over there and ignored that I don't think anybody would be interested to know what audio gear a hearing impaired/hearing aid wearer user listens to. I might just for the hell of it. I still don't think it's going to accomplish anything because I'm sure a few people over there will sneer at my inferior junk.

Well said Steve, I removed my info. I refuse to get involved in this ****. I will refrain from sound quality judgements in threads from now on and just enjoy the music. What a concept!

All new opinions against the new rule are being deleted.
I can't even read the thread anymore. Half of the post are disappearing before they can be reread or copied.
Not surprising at all.

If you like what you hear, then it's good. I have listened to CDs that some Hoffmanites have bashed, only to shake my head as I thought they were fine. I think they're more interested in posting waveforms then actually listening sometimes.

That having been said, there are some good people over there and I post there as well.

Look at what you just wrote.

Well, the gorts are now deleting just about every post that disagrees with this new policy. Some people have requested that (in all fairness) one's age, hearing ability, room size/treatments, etc. should also be included in member profiles, but these types of posts are being deleted as well. Apparently Steve only cares about your system, rather than the myriad of other variables that affect one's hearing. It almost makes me wonder if the real motivation behind this is so that he can compile a list of system profiles to sell to high-end audio manufacturers. I wouldn't put it past him, after all, his continual fundraising is also highly suspect AFAIC.

This isn't simply about having the credentials to judge a quality mastering, folks. There seem to be greater issues at play here.

SHF is not a forum. It's a podium for SH where only the in crowd is invited as an audience to cheer for the master.
Sad that it's not working for him, he's a mastering engineer with no work.

Are you attempting to be funny, Miss Linda?

At least they never banned me!

Although Hoffman did go off on me once...but actually sort of apologized when I clarified my statement.

I joined the Hoffman forum a few months ago after somebody mentioned it here. It looked like another interesting forum for music opinions and information. It's much larger than IMWAN, though, and has a much different feel. There seems to me to be much less humor, and the tone gets pretty intense. It's really an audiophile forum that also discusses music. I've always been about the music first. I like hearing my favorite music sound good, but sound quality is just not the point for me, just a means to an end. The fact that most of the money I spend on music goes to recordings reflects that.

Even though I understand the latest rule about listing your equipment if you're going to comment on sound quality, I have to say the whole episode leaves a bad taste in my mouth. (I think the thread may have been deleted because it was just getting out of control.) I think they care more about sound quality than about music. I just don't get that.

Reminds me of the manager of a stereo equipment store where I used to buy all my gear. When CDs first came out, I didn't jump right in, partly because I already had a sizeable LP collection. We were talking one day, and he told me he was selling off his records and moving to CDs, and wondered if I was interested in buying his records. He had about 10 LPs, all audiophile half-speed mastered stuff, and that was it. I'm sure his system was probably worth $10,000, if not more. I remember thinking "This guy doesn't even like music that much. He just gets off on the equipment."

I like it here. Most everybody is pretty cool, all opinions are almost always respected, and we have fun.

Viva IMWAN.

Of course, the irony there is that if you "listen" with a computer you're obviously not equipped to make judgments about sound quality...