"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
In article , Keith G
wrote:

"Jim Lesurf" wrote


e.g. Despite Sony being a regarded name I recently tried a DVD
recorder from them. It had a cooling fan that was so loud that it
was
distracting when listening to dialogue on items recorded. This is
absurd and needless, yet when I asked a local Sony center their
reaction was 'they all do it'. They seemed not to think it was a
problem, and clearly had no idea that quiet fans can be bought.
Perhaps they think everyone is too busy looking at the pictures to
notice the sound of a helicopter accompanying it. ;-


Given your supersensitivity to noise ('rifle shots' on vinyl for
example) I can see it would be a problem, but the harsh reality is
that
even SS/digital creates heat and noise - the computer I am using
right
now is really very noisy but it doesn't stop me using it for audio.
The
trick is to 'tune it out', 'drown it out' or just stop noticing it!

I've found that the 'trick' is to ensure that the equipment is silent.
i.e.
produces no mechanical noises you can hear in use. This is simple
enough.


Sure. I missed the word 'tried' (above) and read your post as though you
were stuck with the machine - otherwise my suggestion would simply have
been 'get rid'..!



I guess DVD players/recorders are not designed to be too close in use
(more 'over by the telly' ?) - perhaps you got a bad 'un or you have
sited the device badly where it runs hotter than necessary?

In the case I referred to the Sony's fan was audible in the hallway
about
five metres from the door to the room.


And if I had known that, I would have said 'get rid' anyway....


I've briefly worked for large firms as well small ones. I've also had
dealings with many over the years. It has seemed clear enough to me
that oncw a firm becomes large and 'established' the people inside it
tend to focus on 'getting on' within the firm on the basis of their
dealings and behaviours 'internally'. The mere customers are forgotten
as they don't do any hiring, firing, promotion, pay assessments, etc.

The advantage of a small firm is that it easier for everyone to see
how the company is doing. They can see the goods being dispatched, and
any that come back. If an item didn't work, it is clear to all who
may be responsible, and all are affected if sales drop.


The disadvantage of small firms these days is they have to take washing
to stay afloat - witness Ruark and their (seemingly) numerous
'distributorships' (Tivoli, Vincent, XLO)...


I think that one can be safely put down to 'market forces at work in
the
context of the new, cheap Digital Era' - witness the recent decline
in
quality and ultimate disappearance of the Technics brand...


Nothing to do with 'digital era'. I'm old enough to recall the same
kinds
of behaviours in the 1960's. 70's,... and with some products which
were
nothing to do with audio or electronics.


I disagree and think that the (relatively rare) problems with audio kit
these days mostly stem from people's high expectations for very little
money - which is a direct result of the widespread availability of
ludicrously cheap 'digital' equipment, but there you go....