Distributing Hi-Fi since 1994, AudUSA has long been championing American audiophile Hi-Fi products.Chulan entered into Hi-Fi distribution after a chance encounter with SUMO (USA)…The rest is history…
At what point in time did you decide that you wanted to design/ manufacture/ distribute/ represent audio equipment?
There was no conscious decision on my part to enter into HiFi distribution. It was a sequence of events starting
with my contacting SUMO in the USA (finding that they no longer had distribution in the UK) that lead me to
taking on the product. That started the ball rolling. This was the beginnings of AUDUSA, an acronym for AUDIO USA.
Apple Mac or PC?
Simple, PC. I run several XP PC’s and no trouble at all. I did buy a Windows 7 PC about 8 months ago and it remains unused. I can run just about every application on my XP PC that’s probably 5 years of age and it
works great. I have no doubt a Mac is a great computer, but what I do find interesting is that whenever I talk to
someone who has invested in a MAC they always try to convince me that I should change over. Then they tell me
that they have been on a MAC ‘One to One’ tutoring course over past several months! If you are happy with a MAC, great, if you are happy with a PC, great!
What is it that you love about music?
There was time when I only listened to Rock or Jazz and a bit of Blues, today I listen to almost anything provided it is musically interesting and well recorded. More recently I find that the sound quality is poorly engineered, so much so I wonder if the engineer is deaf or simply incompetent. Great concerts one never forgets, Rolling Stones Urban Jungle at Wembley, The Beach Boys at the Odeon, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss at Wembley Arena (no recording will ever come close to that concert). What would the world be without Music? The talent of the singers and musicians is just so great.
Bach or Beethoven?
Neither, sorry, move on…
CD or Vinyl?
Both, two different mediums, not comparable, both have their faults.
What was your first product as a manufacturer/ distributor/ PR?
The starting point was when I took on the UK distribution of SUMO (reverse acronym for Only Made in the United States). Once SUMO was established, other American productsquickly followed from the likes of LAT
International (cables), Vampire Wire, Electrostatic Research, Taperwire, Gershman Acoustics and Sunfire
Coporation.
What is your favourite food?
I can’t say I have a favourite food . I miss the days when it was ok to go down the pub for lunch. Have a couple of pints, a slab of real home made cold Chicken & Ham Pie or Steak and Kidney Pudding, stagger back to the office and try to do some work.
What is your point of reference when designing/ representing new products?
It is a matter of personal judgement if the sound of a product is a sound that you enjoy and live with over an
extended period of time. Musicality comes tops.
Beatles or Rolling Stones?
Most definitely the Stones although I always was a fan of John Lennon.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I recall it was an Elvis Presley LP. I think I was about 10 years of age at the time. My brother bought a Cliff Richard LP and went on to be a fan of the Shadows. I’d like to think that I made the right choice.
Global Warming…Man made or not?
I don’t think it matters, what we do know is that there is a big big problem and the least we can do is try to and
address the problem and not leave it to money driven corporations, scientists or politicians. An example of leaving to others has given rise to extremely inefficient and expensive Wind turbines that has not only blighted
the landscape but made landowners, farmers and everyone in the whole supply chain very rich. We each have
a responsibility that goes well beyond sorting out our rubbish for recycling.
What piece of Hi-Fi/Home Cinema equipment do you consider to be totally iconic?
Lecson AC1/AP1. What can I say? There will never be anything quite like it. The tuner was just a great bit of design. Gale 401A. Not everyone’s cup of tea. I have a pair that need a complete refurb (the mid range surrounds rotted away).
What is your favourite film?
Ben Hur. Went to see Avatar at the IMAX London. Hmmmm, what more can I say?
What is your favourite album/piece of music?
Most definitely DejaVu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
What music are you currently listening to?
An album by a friend (vocal/acoustic guitar). Not bad for a first attempt.
How do you see the future for this industry?
Pass. My glass ball has misted up. I sold the one made of crystal on eBay last week.
What is your favourite tipple?
Like food, anything that is genuinely good. Real Ale, Old World Wines, Single Malts and XO Cognac.
How do you think audio/visual
products will develop during the next 20 years? I am certain we will see the demise of CD players, replaced by HD based systems. Class D will make its presence felt…small is good.
© Custom Cable. 2012
