"John Atkinson" wrote

:-)

Could you stop laughing for a moment and elaborate a
little bit on your statement "necessary".

Sure. There are a number of reasons.

1) I am responsible for coming up with a program of
"fringe" events for our Shows, and I thought the debate
would add to the appeal of HE2005 for would-be showgoers.

seems reasonable.

2) The subject of blind testing methodology is one that
deserves some public discussion. I hope I can make the
case that its relevance to audio reviewing has been
oversold by those who uncritically believe in it. If
not, then I will still have been able to present that
case.

seems reasonable.

3) I welcome public discussion of how published reviews
are performed. My writers and I should be prepared to
defend what we write, I feel, which is why every show
I have helped organize in the US since the first one
in 1987 has had one or more "Ask the Editors"
sessions where members of the audience are encouraged
to "roast" the reviewers. I see this debate continuing
in that tradition, as I expect both Mr. Krueger and
myself to have our beliefs and experiences challenged
by the audience.

seems reasonable.

3) Mr. Krueger has repeatedly claimed that I am not
willing to debate my beliefs and activities in public.
Putting to one side the fact that I have done just
that at every one of the hi-fi shows in which I have
been involved from 1981 to the present, I thought it
wwould be appropriate to put an end to his claim.

seems reasonable. gosh - all these very reasonable
reasons for inviting Arny to this debate. It's not like
the little guy said at all. hmmm...

4) Mr. Krueger has repeatedly claimed that he is
willing to repeat the accusations of supposed fraud and
incompetence on my part that he makes on the newsgroups
to my face in a public debate. I thought it time for
him to make good on that claim.

we'll see.

5) I believe that much of Mr. Krueger's criticisms of
high-end audio are not based on any experience of the
best of what the audio industry has to offer. By
inviting Arny Krueger to HE2005, I could make it
possible for him to take a listen, if he wished, to
some great-sounding systems.

but you know he's "been there - done that."

6) Mr. Krueger has been criticizing me ad nauseum on
the newsgroups since the winter of 1997. Speaking
personally, I would like to meet the man in person.

there are a few "men" we'd like to meet in person, aren't there.
this will be interesting. kudos to him providing he shows up.
kudos to him if he manages to present and defend his case
without acting like a complete fool. i've met you. i know
you're a normal guy and a gentleman. i've heard the "illicit
recording". i think there' a slight chance Arny's a little to the
side of normal. i wonder if he's really coming there with the
objective to "kick a little limey butt!" there's a little guy
somewhere that will be very disappointed that doesn't happen.
but i think we'll all be glued to our terminals for the show.