• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

At what point do you become an AK subscriber?

Please read the OP!!!

Specialidiot was referring to those who buy very expensive gear, post thousands of times, and haven't become subscribers.

I agree with him. I buy used gear and the most expensive thing I've ever bought was a pair of Fortes for $650. Some members spend $3000 on a new CDP or TT and won't shell out $25 to keep this site flowing.

Know what I mean, jellybean?

Rick
 
kermit z said:
Part of Donating is it is a voluntary deal. I don't know that setting a post count as to determine when to subscribe will work either. I know there are subscribers with very low post counts. I'm sure it would be very helpful to those running things here to have everyone donate something. Probably will not happen. As long as there are folks that want to see this place stay great and donate accordingly, I'm sure things will work out :)
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Low post count = me. That said, I have been lurking for quite a while and decided recently to pony up because of the great value I have found here.
 
Why?

To me it's simple, I value the information and friendships I have developed over the time I have been coming here, if my $25 will help keep it going then that's a fair price.
There will always be folks that will see something that's free but could use help but not do that...granted that it's not a financial hardship then those folks need their moral compasses aligned. They are users, and IMHO losers.
I will always pay my annual fee and as of now feel it's a bargain.
Casey
 
similost said:
SUbcribing to me is a way of showing you support this site and what it is doing. I also feel if you are a regular, and spend a lot of time here at "home" it is only good karma to help out with a subscription. A donation is just that, and I can understand people that donate want to not make a deal of it.

I do kind of feel like some will always take what they can for free, yet some of those that are regulars that aren't subscribed, do contribute a lot of knowledge. However, I think it would put more bite behind their bark if they did have the cool red subscriber badge.

I have to agree some though, some of these that are regulars, do have the cash, or at least you would think so by the gear they have, and yet for some reason don't subscribe. That is their perogative, and leaves more for us to pick and choose from in barter town.. However, it would be cool if more would help out the site monitarily, because if they don't have cash, it may not be here for free pickings either.. so what good is free then?

$25 is pretty cheap for two years of the cool extras...
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I am a newb here by any definition of the term. I too felt compelled to join because I was spending ALOT of time here (it's summer now so disc golf seems to take priority). I have donated a couple times also. It's just me saying thanks to AK for being here. I have learned alot and increased my tiny record collection easily thanks to other members.
 
If you're are member for any length of time and don't quickly realize that you should become a subscriber (if you are financially able) you will never get it. The problem with bringing this out to a public forum is that there will be people that I suspect will leave due to their "concept" of membership. I hope AK comes out on the positve side of the ledger on this one.
 
It seems that I, too, haven't been posting all that much, but this thread is important. It gives me the chance to say a big

THANK YOU!!!

to all our supporters, through your subscriptions, your donations, and your contributions to AK's knowledge base.
 
I actually didn't realize what the subscriber thing was all about until somewhat recently, but once I read it I immediately became one. I've gotten so much from the people on this website it's insane - and I don't know how far I would have gotten in my audio hobby without AK, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it this far! It's the best place on the internet IMHO.
 
Maybe I'm spouting off here, so forgive me if my opinion ruffles feathers. I look at it this way, folks. $25 over a year's time equates to $2.083 per month. I know those of us who have internet access at their home and frequent this site pays well more than $2.10 for their internet service per month. You'd be lucky to buy a decent coffee and a donut at the corner gas station for less than that.

What I hope people realize is that this website has value - tons of it - but it does come at a price and we continue to grow in membership and posts which requires funds to accommodate the necessary expansion and fixed expenses. When you reach that point or realization and have the means to do so, contribute, IMHO.

So for those of you who have yet to cough up a little coin to AK and value this site - try, try, try to show your support with a subscription or a monetary donation because that's what pays the bills and keeps the site up and running.

If there are folks out there who you know are in dire financial situations and truly can't part with $25, consider pledging a donation or subscription in their name if it doesn't set you back - now that would be some karma, wouldn't it?

Anything you can do to contribute is greatly appreciated by those of us who understand and appreciate the value of AK.
 
Found this forum to be a place where people love music and the gear that plays it as much as I do. The many intelligent, articulate and generous people here make this site one of a kind and worth keeping around. I became a subscriber once I realized there was a need and what being a subscriber was all about. JUST DO IT!:yes:

:thmbsp: AK

:pawprint:
 
for me I think it was within a week 2 at the very most of the program being available I'm on my second year already.

I ain't rich I ain't got a lot of money BUT I know value for my buck when I see it and AK looks like a very good deal for the bucks
 
Mark W. said:
I ain't rich I ain't got a lot of money BUT I know value for my buck when I see it and AK looks like a very good deal for the bucks
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Your posts, your humor, and your contributions are worth the price of subscription, Mark! BRAVO! :thmbsp:
 
MAXZ28 said:
So for those of you who have yet to cough up a little coin to AK and value this site - try, try, try to show your support with a subscription or a monetary donation because that's what pays the bills and keeps the site up and running.
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Very well put Darin. I'll go a bit further.

If you find value in this site and truly can not find the $25 for a subscription, PM me and I will find a way to get you subscriber status.
 
I support AudioKarma by buying from the vendors who support it. Recently it’s been Dougs Tubes and Parts Express. I make sure I go to AudioKarma and then click on their ad banner before I place the order.

I don’t see a banner for Fred Longworth but when I get to the point of needing service on an old Kenwood I’ll be using him.

I’d like to see AudioKarma sign up Mouser as a sponsor.
 
I guess another reason I subscribed is that I didn't want to give up my E-Bay feedback results by using the AK link, and the donation made up for the lost revenue there. Maybe I'll keep my old ID as a seller, and start a new one as a buyer, or at least a bidder. It's a good way to go when you're just bidding low and hoping to steal something. As I understand it, AK gets credit even when you're betting on a long shot. Someone who knows more, please correct me If I am wrong.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
Thanks tentoze

I should have figured that out. At least I know that Fred is my go to guy for my old Kenwood and my Ortofon supplier.
 
I would have subscribed immediately on the first day we could, but I had a series of problems with my computer and Paypal and such that delayed it a bit, but once all the problems were sorted out, I subscribed right away.

I agree it should be entirely voluntary: one never knows what someone's financial picture is, nor their values, but if you believe in KARMA, then a voluntary system is fair.

While I personally think that somone who can spend thousands on pricey gear and who frequents this site SHOULD subscribe, I don't think they should be FORCED to. Let their conscience and Karma take care of things naturally. Threads like this are nice reminders, and perhaps well-intentioned PMs like whatever the OP sent can make a difference... but keep things optional/voluntary, if possible. It's just to easy to make things worse, if you try to do otherwise. Of course, this can only be done as long as ENOUGH money is coming in to cover the site costs. If the site will go bankrupt by staying voluntary, then changes would have to be made... but I hope that day will never come.

For me, I believe I have got much more value from AK than the price of the subscription. I've had hours and hours of entertainment value. I've made friends via AK. I've learned more than I ever could have otherwise, about vintage (and other) audio. This site has massively influenced what I have bought and not bought, and all of it for the better. It has helped me to learn how to repair and restore the gear I collect. I can't imagine being in this hobby (in the same way) without AK. Beyond that, the underlying "Karma" aspect that is repeatedly referred to here is a welcome reminder of the right way to be and to live. That is never a bad thing.
 
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