It's been a hell of a ride

kab
kab Posts: 275
edited October 2012 in The Clubhouse
Twenty-Six years ago I joined a little speaker company with a big ideas and a bigger heart. To look back on the ride from then until today is frankly breathtaking. Who could have imagined? I?ve made great and lifelong friends and a lifetime of memories.

It?s time now to move aside; to hand the next 25 years over to a new generation with fresh ideas and boundless energy. If you were fortunate enough to make it to PolkFest, you met some of them. October 5th will be my last day at Polk Audio.

But no worries, I?ll see you at Troy?s next fall. I promise.

All the best,

Al
Post edited by kab on
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,957
    edited September 2012
    What ??

    Told ya not to touch Matts stuff. Seriously, the Polk crowd will miss ya man. Good luck and blessings to whatever and wherever your path takes you.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited September 2012
    Time to enjoy your retirement,as a member of this fine forum I say thank you to you and all polk employees for your hard work.
    Dan
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,616
    edited September 2012
    Wow! You will be a missed asset I am sure! See ya at Troy's Al!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2012
    You put in the work and now you can kick back with your feet up, all the best in your new life of leisure Sir
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited September 2012
    Make sure to grab those SRT's before you leave :wink:.

    Enjoy retirement. I am still waaayyy to far back on the tunnel to see that light :sad:...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited September 2012
    All the best Al, good luck in what ever you may choose in the future. Truly and end of an era. Polk Audio will not be the same.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2012
    Did someone say "retirement"? Have a GREAT one Al! Thanks for everything!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,809
    edited September 2012
    Got plans for retirement, Al?

    Besides telling all of us what you REALLY think of us!
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • Malbec
    Malbec Posts: 552
    edited September 2012
    But Al, you can't leave. There will be nobody here to keep to keep these goobers in line.:smile:
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited September 2012
    I've only been here a short time, but good luck and thanks for your work and contribution to this forum. It has been amazing so far and hopefully for a long time...
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited September 2012
    I would say I will miss you but I know you will still be around. As I told the COO John on Saturday the design on the stuff coming out of Polk is great. The packaging on the UltraFocus 6000s is great and modern. To anyone that hasn't meet Al he is a great guy that really cares about all of us in the community.

    So we are getting invited to the retirement party right???
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,011
    edited September 2012
    You rock, Al. Happy Retirement! Looking forward to meeting you again at Troy's. BTW, thanks for your contributions to the Polk family.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited September 2012
    You will be missed Al, enjoy your well deserved retirement.

    Russ
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited September 2012
    Al,

    Thanks for all you did for the community. You will be missed.

    Scott
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,114
    edited September 2012
    Best of wishes on your new endevors, and if it's retirement then enjoy yourself.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited September 2012
    WoW is all I can say. Enjoy retirement.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2012
    No way. Good for you Al. Congratulations, man. You're gonna be missed. I hope you intend to attend PF in the future. I really enjoy tippin one and BSing with you.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,516
    edited September 2012
    Wow! This is the last thing I expected to see here tonight.......not sure what to say.....thanks for everything Al, a hell of a ride indeed.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited September 2012
    Thanks for everything Al. Wishing you happiness and success with your future plans.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • WastelandWand'r
    WastelandWand'r Posts: 466
    edited September 2012
    Whatever the new path, enjoy.
    Nathan
    Home Rig

    SDA 2.3TL's front and center
    Polk 1000p Center
    Pioneer Elite SC35 Receiver (Pre/Surround
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 5X200-Back in the mix.
    OPPO BDP-93
    Squeezebox
    Stepped up to name brand Speaker Cables and interconnects!
    Monitor 4, 5, 7, 10's, SDA 1B's, 2B's, 2.3TL's, RTA 15TL's all in storage waiting for me.
    Sales Rating #1!!
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited September 2012
    Enjoy retirement Al. Thank you for all your hard work at Polk in helping us enjoy some phenominal speakers. I have yet to meet you in person, but hopefully next year at the PF.

    Sincerely,

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited September 2012
    Enjoy your well deserved retirement!
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,717
    edited September 2012
    Well, you certainly must have had one heck of a ride. You can head off into retirement (as if) with these words:
    "You done good".
    Sal Palooza
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2012
    Your the one who kept me invigorated about Polk Audio Al. So it will not be the same company without you but I'm glad that we've become good friends over the years. I couldn't have asked for a better Boss either, even tho' I won't miss the riding crop and smelling salts. Talk to you soon.

    Mark
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • philr168
    philr168 Posts: 91
    edited September 2012
    Enjoy your retirement
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited September 2012
    It was a pleasure to work with you Al, enjoy your retirement you earned it. Cheers. :cool:
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  • Fireman32
    Fireman32 Posts: 4,845
    edited September 2012
    Al congrats on the retirement but you will be missed. It was a pleasure to get to know you over the years. See you next year in SC.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2012
    Congratulations Al! Your contributions to Polk and to Club Polk will never be forgotten. All the best, and enjoy your retirement!

    Cathy
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,772
    edited September 2012
    all the best!
    (in re: retirement - I am jealous. Seriously jealous)
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited September 2012
    All the best in your future endeavors Al.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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