Virtual Salon

Top 3 Albums You Can Listen to with Your Kids

1. The Curious George Soundtrack: Jack Johnson and friends.  I can't recommend this album enough.  This is music for kids in college and kids in diapers.  If you have a child that meets both of those criteria . . . I'm horribly frightened.  Frightened because I keep telling myself that my kids will have the toilet mastered before college.  If there are exceptions I don't want to hear about them.  If you don't like Jack Johnson, you won't like this album, but have you ever met someone who didn't like Jack Johnson?  Special appearance by Ben Harper puts the value over the top.

2. For the Kids: John Ondrasik (5 for Fighting), SixPence None the Richer, Sara Mclachlan, Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace), Barenaked Ladies, need I go on?

This is definitely aimed squarely at the kids, and will grow old far before the first recommendation.  However, the familiar talent keeps me entertained.

3. This is where I run into problems . . . is there a 3?  Please let me know!

My kids beg to watch the new Killers video "Read My Mind" over and over because of the green Mascot (what is that thing?)  Despite an awkward moment trying to explain the name of the band, it's kid-friendly.  My 4 year old also has Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" choreographed from start to finish, while "Lust for Life" by Iggy Pop is a frequent request from my 2 year old.  Try as I might, I couldn't apply a "kids music" label to these ones. 

Please add your suggestions for #3 in the comments section!

-Jeff

Hi End 2007 Video

Were you at the Munich Hi End 2007 Show?  No?  But wanted to?

Us too.  We had it on the calendar, flights were booked, but in the end it didn't work out this year.

Paul McGowan, however did make it.  And after watching his tantalizing video of the German beer, sights, sounds, and . . . uh, beer, it's all the more painful it didn't work out.

There's always next year, care to join us?

Watch the video here.

-Jeff

Putting $2000 Tires on a $2000 Car

I should create a new category on this blog: The Objections Graveyard.

I would officially like to bury the following objection in, "The Objections Graveyard".

I can't tell you how many times this analogy has come up (and understandably so) when audiophiles inquire about hi-end audio cables. 

"It doesn't make any sense to put $2000 tire on a $2000 car.  You will only see marginal improvements in the performance, and you would achieve more performance for your dollar if you invested in a better car.  Why should I put an expensive cable on my modest system?"

I completely understand where this comes from, the question behind the analogy is a valid one.  Unless you have been exposed to the transformational effect of Virtual Dynamics cabling, our claims MUST trigger doubts!

However valid this example may be with cars (and perhaps a hi-end tire manufacturer would disagree) we are not talking about cars and tires!  If you absolutely must remain in this analogy, then yes, our claim is that if you put $2000 tires (Virtual Dynamics cables) on your $2000 car (audio system) you are going to be amazed at the improved speed, handling, comfort, noise level, and performance of your car.  I know it's a difficult pill to swallow, but its a risk we're asking audiophiles to take, and a risk our customers have been gleeful that they took.  We even remove the risk to the best of our abilities with our Auditory Bliss Guarantee.

Whatever wisdom may be true in automotive-land, may not necessarily transfer to audiophilia.  All analogies break down at some point, but allow me to propose a new analogy.

In Formula One racing, what performance difference would there be between a high-octane, performance grade rocket fuel (ok, I know nothing about race cars) and purple farm fuel that's been contaminated by rainwater and sand?  I bet it's profound. 

What performance improvement would you notice in your $2000 1982 VW car if you switched from sand/water contaminated fuel to even a decent quality fuel from your local gas station?  It would be going from a broken car to one that does the job.

This is our claim.  Most cable designs are broken, contaminating your system with non-linear distortion and mechanical vibration.  Even modest systems will benefit mightily from a proper supply of power that is not introducing harmful effects.  Virtual Dynamics offers products that range from a good quality fuel source, to a special blend of rocket fuel that must be experienced to be believed.

May ye R.I.P, tire/car objection.  :)

-Jeff

Free Music, Thanks to Web2.0!

The power of recommendation arrives on the music scene.  The community-minded folks at Amie Street have schemed a device that distributes music on different terms.  Meaning, you can 'stick it to The Man'.

As an artist, signed or otherwise, you can upload your musical artwork into the Aime Street system, where it is available for FREE purchase and download by the rest of the community (joining the community is also free, by the way).  The price of your song will rise depending on how much the community likes it - how many times it's purchased.  The maximum price a song will rise to is $0.98, which is still a steal . . . we're talking about DRM free music that plays on any device. 

And for the musicians who can only play the CD player, there are numerous benefits.  You can find great new independent songs for free or cheap, and even earn money towards music by finding great songs and recommending them to your friends.  From the website:

"Our pricing model encourages music lovers to discover and buy new music. If a song is free, it hasn’t been discovered by a wider audience. If a song is 98 cents, it’s already a must-hear hit. Recommend the great new songs you find to your friends and earn credit for buying even more great music !"

Go start your account now.  I've been using it for a week now and love it.  The idea is beautiful, the intuitive web interface is a breeze to navigate and understand, and I've discovered some amazing songs that cost me a fat  $0.33!

-Jeff

Return of the Going, Going, Gone Event!

You're favorite sales event is back!  Prices are falling daily; up to 70% off our newest cables!  Check it out.

Save over 55% on Power One!

You asked for it, you got it.  We've extended the Power 1 Sale until June 1st!  Get the low-down on what this cable has to offer your system.

Top 3 Reason's NOT to Buy Virtual Dynamics Cables

1. The cables are heavy, stiff, large, and a bear to install.  In a word, 'user-UN-friendly'.

- By their very nature, Virtual Dynamics' technologies are space-consuming and dense.  LiniPur conductors, Dynamic Filtering, Rare-Earth Magnets: they are all big and heavy.  And it only gets worse as you move up to their best offerings.

2. Slow turn-around and delivery.

- Expect to wait 4-6 weeks for your precious leviathan.  These are handmade cables with blood, sweat, and tears invested into them.  Our small size does not allow us to stock a large inventory - cables are custom built to YOUR specifications when you order.

3. Expensive.

- Handmade in Canada, fair wages for employees, locally sourced talent, direct supervision of the manufacturing process, high overhead (do you have any idea what it costs to heat a 6000 square foot facility when it's -40?), and did we mention fair wages for employees?  Our budget also reflects the high value we place on innovation.  Our R&D investment is rather large, and our clients are funding this endeavor (to be the best in the world). We're talking about a financially inefficient manufacturing approach.  High on quality . . . efficiency?  Not so much.

Top 3 Reason's TO Buy Virtual Dynamics Cables

1. You want the best audio & video cables in the world.

- We've heard this stated thousands and thousands of times by audiophiles like yourself and well respected industry professionals.  To the point where we're becoming quite bold about it; what these products will do for an audio/video system is unreal, they are the best in the world.  Our R&D budget reflects our commitment to this claim.

2. Sales people who will care more about your system's performance than selling cables.  They might even care about You.

- When you phone or email Virtual Dynamics, our first agenda is to make a friend.  Next we'll want to make your system sound better.  Sometimes we can provide you with a cable to take your system farther than you've ever imagined.

3. Sleep better at night.

- Social Entrepreneurship is the term which embodies the Virtual Dynamics mission.  Simply put, our bottom line is not a dollar figure.   It's the well-being of our employees, the environment, our local community, our clients, and the hi-fi industry.  In whatever we do our goal is to enrich everything and everyone we interact with.  We haven't arrived in this regard, but we're striding towards this lofty goal.  The almighty dollar is not the trump card in our decision making process - we're joining the growing social revolution that does not invest in products, but in HOW a product is made.

Accusations fly in the world of hi-end audio cables.  "Highway robbery operation"?  We prefer the term, "Operation: Robin Hood".  Tooting our own horn?  We hope its a tune you can dance to!

We are extremely grateful for an economic system that allows us to participate in the marketplace and show off our talents.  We're extremely grateful to our clients who have given us the opportunity to prove ourselves.  Thank you for overlooking the first three points of this post, and placing your values in the last three.  You are truly unique and your influence can change the world! 

In the end Virtual Dynamics cables are not for everyone, so we highlight these points to determine the profile of a Virtual Dynamics client.  Could you be one?

-Jeff

Sam Tellig's (Stereophile) Favorite Solid-State Amp

"Sam Tellig listens to his new favorite solid-state, the Luminance KST-150 stereo amp"

Enough said.  Well, I'll just say a little more.

Pick up the newest issue of Stereophile (May 2007) and find out why long-time reviewer Sam Tellig is digging the Luminance KST-150.

We don't put all our eggs in reviewers baskets (we prefer to invest in our customer's 'baskets'), but Sam Tellig is telling it straight - straight through all the industry politics.  In the review you'll find some provoking quotes about price points - and why Sam thinks the KST-150 would garner more spotlights if it wasn't priced to be such a steal at $3000 . . .

-Jeff

Jobs@Virtual

 

Do you feel there should be more to work than simply trading hours for dollars?  Nothing is more valuable than your time, and work needs to be more than a paycheck.  If you love people, audio, and want to help others achieve the best possible sound, we need to talk. 

 

Virtual Dynamics is a forward-looking company devoted to great sound, helping others, and joining hands to reach the full potential of our company and ourselves as individuals.  Maybe you’d be a good fit?

 

Currently looking for:

Sales Team

What you’ll be doing:

• Serving audiophiles worldwide in finding the best products for their system via telephone, email, and in person. 

• Organizing and maintaining client relationship systems to ensure client satisfaction and follow-up.

• Creatively initiating new client relationships via web, email, phone, and in-person to put these fantastic products into as many systems as possible.

• Representing Virtual Dynamics in audio shows worldwide.  Typically involves airline travel and being away from home for a week at a time. Long days on the feet setting up/tearing down exhibits and initiating new relationships with customers.  Installing, tweaking, and dialing-in audio systems from the ground up.

• Listening to some of the best music in the world.

What you’ll need to do it:

 

• Great people skills, a willingness to serve, and a magnetic personality.

• A penchant for, and adeptness in technology.  Competence in Microsoft Office, email & web programs; familiarity with Mac OSX will be a benefit.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, additional languages are an asset.

• Professional phone and email etiquette.

• Several years experience in sales or sales managing related positions.
  

• Post-Secondary degree in a related field is a strong asset.

• A passion for excellence in everything you do, including sound!

Remuneration:

 

Negotiable, contingent upon past experience and education.

 

Please email, mail, or fax your resume to:
Virtual Dynamics
Box 4494
5103-51 St
Barrhead, AB, Canada
T7N 1A4

Email: abderrahim@virtualdynamics.ca
Fax: 780-674-5638 

Your Ears are Sexist.

Of course I don't mean YOUR listening . . . I'm talking about those other people.  The biased ones.

On Friday our staff attended a great workshop, one of the speakers was Malcolm Gladwell, author of the bestselling book "Blink".

He told a fascinating story, it's SO relevant in this industry, I'm shocked I haven't heard it before; it should be shouted from the hi-fi rooftops.  I'm a generalist, so I'm retelling the story "shoot from the hip" fashion, facts and details may be (probably will be) somewhat off.  (This is a key difference between my wife and I, she is detail oriented - where I could care less about details, just tell me the point of the story.  We've discovered we get along better by appreciating the "differences" in our communication style, rather than intelligent debate about which manner is superior.)  If you want all the factoids go read the book.

I guess 30 some-odd years ago (to the day) there were hardly any women present in classical symphonies.  There was a good reason for it - women can not handle an instrument like a man can.  This is what the Maestro's told us, anyway.  Maestro's are highly trained listeners.  Their lively-hood depends on their ears, if I was a Maestro, my ears would be insured.  They weren't being discriminate, women were more than welcome to audition for these roles, but a Maestro's professional ears could always tell the difference.  Thoughtful papers were written on, "Why Men are Better Classical Musicians".  The question of, "Are Men Better?" had been left behind for uninformed, lesser minds to ponder.

Along came unionization, and with the list of demands was a small request to limit favoritism.  Some Maestro's were accused of hiring friends who auditioned in an unfair manner.  A simple screen preventing the Maestro from visually identifying the hopeful musician would solve the issue, a request the confident Maestros did not contest.

Funny thing is, nowadays, women musicians fill somewhere around 50% (to the hundredth decimal point) of the chairs in today's symphonies.

I'm not going to insult your intelligence by tying in how this relates to the hi-fi industry, but the implications are rather large.  I bet you've got countless related stories to bring to the table (please share them in the comments section below!)

-Jeff