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In early 1969, in my attic office at 307 Dickinson Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, I plunged into an enterprise which seemed a lot more than dubious at the time. Starting a magazine is a bit like putting together a lashing of logs, shoving the contraption into the rapids of a river and then getting aboard. You can't steer very well, you don't know whether the craft will hold together and most of the time you are both wet and tired. But no excitement is remotely like it. Those of you who were subscribers for the 1970 series will recall the frustration of waiting months for an issue. That the editor had a full-time job, did all the photography, graphics, editing, typing, sales, and circulation promotion and fulfillment by co-opting his young family to assist did not make it any more bearable for subscribers. Our first issues were produced with a typewriter and lots of rubber cement. We were able to convince a number of authors appearing in British publications to sell us US rights. Many of them have become steadfast friends in the years since. In time, Audio Amateur attracted many other authors, and, as they say, the rest is history. This issue marks the 20th year of Audio Amateur's continuous publication. Many of you have written nice letters over the years expressing your appreciation. The recurring phrase in a many of them is 'keep up the good work." Many seem to be of the opinion that the publication is largely due to the editor's skills or perseverance. It seems to me the quality of the publication is far more a collective result than of any individual contribution. The whole, as people are so fond of saying about human endeavors, is more than the sum of the parts. Individuals have doubtless made an enormous difference in the quality of Audio Amateur. My family made a great many sacrifices to make the publication viable in its early and middle years. Among early staffers the work of Judith Cadigan and James Thoroman was invaluable, as was the support of Josh and Betty Goldberg. Many, many other people helped just for the fun of it-and because they wanted to see the magazine survive. J. Gordon Holt, a neighbor in the early days, was a most generous supporter from the first hour I laid Audio Amateur's plans before him. He loaned us the list of Stereophile subscribers many times, and William Colbert, former owner of what has become New York's Stereo Exchange, rented us lists of audiophiles. We had a lot of subscription help from Dirk Roos, who provided promotional addressing within the Binghamton McIntosh establishment. Later, we had wonderful support from that inimitable character, Dan Meyer of Southwest Technical Products Corporation, who introduced more readers to the magazine than any other manuf. by including our prospectus in every kit he sold. A long list of distinguished people have served as Contributing Editors who have, thereby, always given the magazine more than it has been able to give them. Reg Williamson was our first, joined by Josh Goldberg and soon after by Walt Jung and Fred M. Gloeckler. The list is very long and each has my profound appreciation having brought something unique to the flavor of the publication. The local staff of Audio Amateur has evolved over the years. We left behind many wonderful people in Swarthmore--and found a new group in August of 1975 when we moved to Peterborough. Many talented people have given us their work time on the way up to more advanced careers. Although they are too numerous to mention here, one stands out. Eleven years ago Karen Hebert joined the staff as a secretary and rapidly moved through most of the staff jobs to her present position as General Manager. A great deal of the growth, vitality and wise decision making which have brought all our publications to their present healthy state are the result of her exceptional skills. But none of the above would have made all that much difference without what happens between authors, editors, staff and readers to become something far more. I had a wonderful letter this week which illustrates the point: "I am writing for two reasons. The first, please cancel my classified ad in your magazine. It's marked 'Magnavox CDB560--I give up'. "My second reason is to explain the first. I have had an absolutely astounding response to the ad. We have received well over 25 calls from all over the country. I am pleased to say my 560 is POOGEd, repaired, and happily playing for another audiophile. What really impressed my wife and me, however, was the nature of the calls. Many simply replied with a courteous 'thank you' when told the player was sold. The surprises, however, were the many calls that turned into interesting conversations regarding the nature of the POOGE mod, likes and dislikes in equipment and recordings and offers of help. Can you believe it? I put an ad in a magazine to sell a piece of equipment because I can't make it work, and I get calls from people offering to help me make it work. I couldn't believe it. A couple of folks from out of state even offered to look at it for me if I had been willing to ship it to them. 'I thought you and your readers should know what an amazing community they are. I knew we all (TAA and SB readers) shared a love for music and music reproducing equipment. What I have learned, to my delight, is that your readers are so willing to share what they know. Thanks for creating the forum, and thanks to the many readers who called to chat and to help. "Ted Kastelic P.S. My renewal's enclosed--this is too good to miss!"' After twenty years, I still share reader Kastelic's kind of enthusiasm. You are a community that has been too good to miss. -E.T.D. Also see: A Power Supply Regulator For The Adcom GFA-555 SHOWCASE: BORBELY PREAMPLIFIER
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