My life has been dominated by the idiosyncratic propensities of high-end audio. Introduction to the fetish that became hobby and livelihood occurred at around age 10. Much of the craft was learned and honed through interfacing with professionals and enthusiasts including Henry Lee, Edward Mc Dowell, Lionel Seemungal, Neil Lau, Leo Ferreira and my parents.

The journey has taken me from building crystal sets, valve and solid state amplifiers, loudspeaker systems to interfacing with the ubiquitous 741 integrated circuit, HDCD® and finally (hopefully) to HRx®, both developed by engineering wizard Keith O. Johnson (KOJ). In summary, I have always been propelled by the quest of wanting to hear more.

The serendipitous discovery in mid 2007 of Ultra Audio the on-line magazine resulted in four feature articles being written for this prestigious publication in 2008. I visited managing editor Jeffrey W. Fritz, in Wilmington, North Carolina last November, primarily to audition the Rockport Altair loudspeakers, proclaimed Ultra Audio Component of the Year, 2007. Unfortunately he sold the speakers two weeks before my arrival (sigh).

Events unfolded rapidly. Jeff replaced the Altairs with the flagship Arrakis, Rockport’s premier loudspeakers, with a price tag in the vicinity of a mere US$150k. He also invited me to write a Feature on KOJ. I had tried to persuade my editor to profile Keith, but Jeff reiterated - “Simeon, you write the article. KOJ is your friend and colleague”. My response was http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/ultraaudio.com/features/20090201.htm

As if that were not enough, Jeff subsequently conceived an event entitled The World’s Best Audio System. In mid March, a team of select high-end manufacturers will assemble and install the chosen equipment in his favourite listening space, appropriately entitled The Music Vault. This showcase will generate a number of high profile articles and worldwide publicity for Ultra Audio. Naturally, I booked a ticket, upon receipt of Jeff’s invitation to attend.

“I appreciate you coming Simeon, but I’d like for you to be a larger part of this. Would you write a Feature on the event for publication on April 1? I’d like your personal reflections on the weekend. This would be a huge article because we are going to be using the articles that this event generates for lots of purposes - they’ll be going out to thousands of industry people. You’d have about 10 days to write it after the weekend. Can I count on you?”

All Fool’s Day or not, what should I say, or rather, what more could I want?

Simeon L. Sandiford
Managing Director