Audioshark - making it better

Kiwi, that is an excellent idea!

I like the live chat suggestion as well.
 
Since this site was started, I rarely go anywhere else. The people here are great and that is in part due to the owner, mods, and members themselves. I don't have any great suggestions but liked a few already mentioned.

As far as Threads, I had thought of a spot where each member could post their own music. If enough members joined in, we would all have a reference of what each other likes/dis-likes along with the chance to learn about new music. (Comp Trading died off with MP3s years ago so not as easy to sample)

Also, I realize this is really an Audio Site, but I would not mind seeing more Off Topic discussions about anything other than Audio so we could all converse about other hobbies, traveling, photography, wine & beer and so on. It's tough to get a feel for each other just by the gear in the sig, or the thread on latest purchases.
 
How about creating a key note thread entitled something like – ‘The Voice’?

Each week (or month to start with) invite an industry luminary to share their thoughts on an audio topic of their choosing or alternatively a topic of Audioshark (‘AS’) members prompting. The topic should be in an area of expertise of the luminary; should be a unique contribution (as in not earlier published) and be educational in nature. AS then encourages the author to hang around for that week (or month) to answer questions which AS members have on the topic, before closing off and moving to the next luminary.


Some examples of luminary's / topics might include (in no particular order):

Mr. Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel of Devialet discusses the problems SAM solves.
Mr. Bent Holter of Hegel discusses SoundEngine Technology
Mr. Andreas Koch of Playback Designs discusses advances in DSD DACs
Mr. Lindberg Lyd of 2L Recordings discusses DXD and DSD128 and his new found love of Blu Ray
Mr. Dave Wilson of Wilson Audio discusses new driver design
Mr. Garry Morrison of Pureaudio (and formerly Plinius Audio) makes the case for Pure Class A
Mr. Yuji Hanabusa of Teac Corporation (Esoteric) discusses advances in transport design
Ms. Cookie Marenco of Blue Coast Music discusses ESE
Mr. Peter Suchy of Clearaudio Electronic discusses why turntables remain their passion


One possibility, from a sequential perspective, could be to ask AS Members (in a separate thread) who they want to hear from and on what topic. Where common requests cumulate invite the luminary on the basis of strong expressed interest?

I understand a bit of work would be needed to organise this and not all potential luminaries would be keen on participation – but the win/win is clear here; subject matter experts and their companies get airtime; Audioshark members get unique insight into interesting topics and Audioshark forum readership increases drawn by the contributions of luminaries.

What do you think?

+ 1!
 
In a Bryston forum, I beg to differ, unless I've missed him posting elsewhere & spruiking outside of the Bryston "parking" zone! I can't see the problem, I think James has been exemplary. If he was doing whenever & wherever he could I would agree totally. Then again, i've only been here a short time.

I would expect a manufacturer to promote his products. Otherwise how would you know the aspects of his products that he wants you to know about. This gives the forum member an opportunity to consider the products and contact the manufacturer with questions or observations. This helps in the information gathering process. I have the option to believe or disbelieve what the manufacturer is saying but now I know more than I knew before.

Concerning James Tanner, he is proud of his company and it's products, he should be, he built it from scratch. Whenever I have sent him a PM he has always responded. This is what I want, information, this makes me more knowledgeable and helps me to consider all my options. Unlike others, James Tanner does not shy away from answering hard questions about his products. This is the primary reason why I hope Mike can encourage more companies to participate in the forum. (Let's put all your cards on the table and see what you have.)
 
A simple suggestion... Repeat the navigation bar that is at the top at the bottom of pages. And maybe a file sharing service... Umm, wait, no, i don't think that a legal idea at all!
 
How about a budget audio forum where we can discuss gear that gets us 95% of the way there at a fraction of the price of gear that gives that little extra percent?

While i enjoy 'hearing' about high-priced gear that the majority will never buy, it is nice to know about alternatives that can come darn close in sound, without the crazy price. Of course, even the 'budget' gear will elicit moans and groans from some people, but few things good in life are free.
 
How about a budget audio forum where we can discuss gear that gets us 95% of the way there at a fraction of the price of gear that gives that little extra percent?

While i enjoy 'hearing' about high-priced gear that the majority will never buy, it is nice to know about alternatives that can come darn close in sound, without the crazy price. Of course, even the 'budget' gear will elicit moans and groans from some people, but few things good in life are free.

Can't you basically start any thread you want to?
 
Can't you basically start any thread you want to?

That applies to anything and everything. If related threads are in the same location it makes them easier to browse than searching through every forum looking to see if something exists.

The only concern I have is forum overload such as is on other sites, where there are too many specialized forums.
 
I've been doing some thinking about Mike's question and perhaps we need to think even more basic. One thing that occurs to me: 1) How do we get more people to participate on the site; and 2) turn lurkers into posters?

One idea is for everyone to invite ten people to jump into the shark tank. I'm open to other ideas!

I also think that more people should post about their personal experiences with their equipment.
 
Myles... The Shark Tank is a good idea. One or more people in the weekly spotlight.

eg. I'm in the shark tank this week to answer any questions on "How to setup....." or "How to get the best out of...."
 
Great to see a new Dali Loudspeaker thread.

Other suggestions:

Denon thread
Marantz thread

May be argued mid-fi by some, but clearly popular products in the AV science world.

For example the new Denon AVR-X5200W is an exciting product. Set to pave the way for a new flagship pre-amp?
 
I go to another site & they have a like button included in every post automatically when you post your reply. I think it is a great idea.

Agree 100%

The LIKE button is very good and an easy way in providing positive feedback to a post that does not need a response.

It works very well for the Steve Hoffman forum as well as our Aussie Stereonet forum.

Keep up the great work Mike
 
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