Legacies
Join Our Community Subscribe to Paul's PostsNothing goes forever. Even our universe is said to have an end. And though we don’t actually believe it, the evidence appears pretty conclusive that none of us will make it out of this world alive.
What happens to PS Audio when there’s no more me? I get asked this question a lot and it always makes me smile.
It’s true I am more the public face of the company than others. And, it’s equally true that when I am gone you won’t have to read my words, see my mug, or tolerate my eccentricities.
But what’s likely not true is what some fear will happen to PS products and services. That they are the way they are because of me. They are not.
Our manic obsession with treating customers as family, building high value great sounding products, welcoming anyone and everyone to visit us, and generously giving of our time and resources in the hopes of bettering our audiophile community are just who we are.
We’re 50 + people all headed down the same road.
If one of us falls off the turnip wagon the other 49 are not going to change course.
PS Audio’s legacy is our family.
I hope that it’ll be a long time before that happens.
Dare I say Paul, a degree of democracy rules. THANKS for your thoughts and GIVING nature.
David
What a wonderful way to Express yourself. Lance
When there’s no more ‘you’ Paul I would imagine that Scott will run PSA until the Chinese offer him a ridiculous amount of money for it….beyond that who knows 😉
No they won’t. If there’s anything that interests the Chinese, they’ll copy it.
…& if they can’t successfully copy it they may try to acquire it.
But of course you know that I’m being facetious Steven 🙂
With all the crap that’s going on in our world I don’t really want to contemplate the demise of Paul McGowan Esq.
Vale Clive James!
I’ve just watched a wonderful interview CJ did with Mary Beard on the BBC last year. Watch it if you can. I’ve read a few of his books and just ordered a prose and his last book of poetry.
He was a complete original, funny and sharp to the very end.
Much obliged sir.
If our universe will have an end, I wonder why human beings are dreaming of immortality? I guess there is no creature on earth caring about immortality! How many species have not met the “survival of the fittest” criterion? But maybe the idea of immortality is as irrational as the idea of the perfect reproduction of music recorded?
No worries Paul, your teachings will live on with your legion of YouTube videos. Lets not be maudlin though, you’ll live on to a fine old age with a great legacy of products to be proud of.
Now stop this deep thought – put on some inspiring music because tomorrow is another day.
Totally out of this topic and considering that at one point of your comments on this forum, you made it known that you had improved your RS-1b, I cordially expose to you the following:
1.-) Related to the schematic diagram of the active Xover of my RS-1b: connected to the output of one of the SINGLE N-CHANNEL JFET SWITCH: 2N 4392 and connected to the + of the RCA connector that in turn connects a channel of the bass amp, there is a 9.5 uF capacitor marked with the letters MM in the diagram.
2.-) On one occasion, I asked Harman International what MM meant and what type this capacitor was, unfortunately the technician who attended to me did not know what type of condenser this nomenclature belonged to.
3.-) Having replaced all the electrolytic capacitors in my active Xover, with top audio grade except for this one, I ask you: what type is this capacitor and what function does it do in the position in which it is installed, I understand that no It allows high frequencies to pass to the bass amp, but I don’t know why it is connected to one of the J FET switches.
I am sure you know the answers, which I appreciate in advance.
I’m afraid I don’t know what MM refers to in this case. I note that there is another capacitor on the schematic similarly marked after U4 Low Pass filter 1uF 50V MM. I don’t think the 9.5uF Low Pass output capacitor has any such relationship with the protection circuit, its imo just a frequency filter with the added advantage of a DC block in case of failure.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful but I’ll continue to research an MM capacitor as its a new one to me.
Thanks Allan for your kind response.
In two different schematic diagrams and with different dates, this nomenclature appears, so I do not consider it an error of who made such diagrams.
Just out of curiosity, did you change that capacitor, and if you did it, with what type?
Given the time that the original condenser has worked, I think it could be replaced with a Mundorf: Mcap EVO (aluminum-oil) or perhaps one of better quality, if it is in the signal path. I think the RS1-b deserves it.
I haven’t recapped my unit as yet, the bass is presently amazing so if its not broke etc. I have a spare bass servo unit that I will use should the present unit fail. I would then repair and recap the failed unit.
Mundorf is imo a very good choice, I also use an outboard HPF using 4 Mundorf caps and its brought the mid/high really alive (so to speak).
Most of my changes have been on the mid/high towers.
1. Using torqued allen bolts to secure drivers.
2. VdH cable instead of Monster
3. Tweeter & Mid drivers have seperate biwire speaker cables more suitable for their respective frequency range.
Being winter time I’m presently listening a lot so any rebuilds will be during the summertime.
We have followed different paths to improve the original components of this interesting speaker, which does not ask favors for much more modern (and more expensive) speaker systems.
As the PP capacitors of the mid-Hi panels have a longer lifespan than the electrolytic ones, I decided to start with the latter the regeneration of my RS-1b, using the Fine Gold, Muse etc. from Nichicon. The low frequencies took on a new and more dynamic life.
It is true that the original wiring can be improved along with the passive Xover capacitors, and I hope to do it someday, however, the dramatic changes that I have obtained in this part of the spectrum have been achieved by improving the transports and DACs.
I hope to talk about it again in the near future.
When the Universe ends, or immediately before it does, we’ll be listening to music on headphones and possibly through static loudspeakers, controlling the source data from our hand-held personal communication devices, without a wire in sight.
Hold on a second …. we can do that already.
If we do have loudspeakers, I expect them to be floating in free space using anti-gravitation technology and powered by fission cells or a Musk 1,000 hour battery.
Nope; we’ll be plugging dual to single XLR’s directly into our cerebral cortex interfaces…no more loudspeakers or cans.
“And, it’s equally true that when I am gone you won’t have to read my words, see my mug, or tolerate my eccentricities.”
There may be some disagreement with the above statement. The words have been archived, the mug is an indelible icon, and the eccentricities are part of package. (none of us are forced to read or watch you – it’s our choice – Thank You)
in the future Maybe instead of Paul’s Posts… it’ll be “Paul from Beyond…. Thoughts from the enlightened side”
Seems like a weird topic to be talking about (especially given the US Holiday tomorrow)
Enjoy the snow removal, enjoy the family and friends, and enjoy the tunes. Happy Thanksgiving
So many (not all) audio companies vanished after the (more or less) charismatic “leader” died.
Not always right away, but at least within a few years. The smaller the company, the bigger the risk.
Once the driving force (founder) is gone, the company will not be the same.
New leaders come with new ideas, with a different approach. That’s inevitable.
I don’t have high hopes of PSAudio being the exception to the rule.
“Headed down the same road” or not, as soon as the leader is no more (we all have to die, not my fault…), several, once loyal employees, will take another road.
Time will tell.
Remember, at our age, Paul, to keep three points on the mountain at all times.
Have a grateful Thanksgiving, all.
Embrace the present; it’s all we have to work with.
Happy Thanksgiving, Paul!
” Heroes get remembered, but legends never die” BR ..(sandlot)
Enjoy the present rather then worrying about the past or future. When inside a black hole time stands still. Some suggest the entire universe exists in a black hole. Time is an illusion of the mind. The universe has had no beginning nor will it have an end. It merrily exists forever constantly evolving and regenerating. We measure it by distance and time. Both illusions. All of the past and future has already happened within it’s time frame. Like Rod Serling said. It’s a dimension of mind. Perhaps our minds create the universe. Perhaps like our dreams exist in us we exist in another mind called God.
Paul, before you fall off the turnip truck, please design the BHK hearing aids many us of will eventually need in the years to come. You will probably have to offer a Stellar option for those who don’t want that extra heat.
Anyone who has followed PS Audio will know by now that you have built a certain philosophy into the system which has become the system itself. This is because you have surrounded yourself with like minded people who have taken to the system like fish to water. Thus the future of PS Audio is as secure as can be. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Why this topic was brought up I do not know but it would be nice if we stay away from morbid thinking and stick to audio. Wishing you the very best. Regards.
Hello Oliver,
Like you, I felt today’s topic felt morbid. Life is based on change and death.
Maybe there’s something going on we’re not privy to yet, or maybe the thoughts were just on Paul’s mind today. I find it most disconcerting that he is asked that type of question to begin with.
Like you I prefer the audio topics versus the deep potentially morbid cerebral discussions. Although, I don’t fault anyone for planning for the inevitable the best they can.
Maybe we need a little balance here….
“the evidence appears pretty conclusive that none of us will make it out of this world alive.”
Many of us will.. Just not with the same body.
Wishing all a Shalom Thanksgiving! Gene
Sorry if the topic was upsetting. I didn’t mean to be “morbid” but it is a topic that is often asked andf I like to answer often asked questions.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with me (other than a few screws loose) I am aware of. I am healthy, happy, and lovin’ life.
Hopefully we all have family and friends with us this holiday season.
A very touching and reassuring post today, Paul. I am deeply thankful for you and your PSAUDIO family.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING .
Go grab an allen key from one of the work benches at PSA & torque down those loose screws Paul.
We don’t do Thanksgiving in Australia but I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you & all at PSA & your families a very happy one 🙂
Thanks. Hope you have a good weekend. Sunday Terri and I are flying near you. On our way to NZ for a couple of weeks for some summer.
That’s Terrific (see what I did there?)
I hope that the two of you have the best time in NZ.
If you ever make it to Oz, it would be wonderful to shake your hand & have a chat.
Didn’t know you are a cricket fan, are you going to the match at Seddon Park later today?
Steven.
Paul or me?
Because there are two Seddon parks; one major one in NZ & a local one in Glenfield near Campbelltown in NSW.
I don’t think that P & T have jumped on that Air NZ ‘plane yet.
You already show by the involvement of a few well suited PSA fellows that your family business will continue to work by exactly this setting. The other thing is that the (or a) leader has to be as addicted to good sound quality and or innovation if residing in the real high end sector or staying innovative in another sector is a goal as I think such a company can’t be just administrated, even if it is with very good will and skill.
Ken Ishiwata has died. Another legacy in the industry gone. Somewhere I think I remember Paul having a meeting with him many years ago that was amusing. I’m afraid my memory is fragmented at best and I cannot be more specific. And yes, I would miss Paul very much since he re-awakened my love of fine audio, which had gone south with surround sound and digital media. I’m afraid I only own one piece of PSaudio gear, a Gain Cell DAC, but it is the heart of my system of mostly tube gear and allows my digital library to be better than I had ever dreamed.