Darqueknight/ Ray Smith has passed away

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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 8,236
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    Very sad to hear this. Ray was one of the best contributors of unbiased technical information here for many years.
    See profile for rigs. Nothing else here.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
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    Read quite a bit of his posts and thoroughly enjoyed his expertise.

    To his family are wishes of great memories and a celebration of life.

    F1... Wow, thanks for sharing that.

    Best wishes on your next adventure Darqueknight.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    May he rest in peace, surrounded by love and music for eternity.
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 3,053
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    Rest in peace! Via con Dios
    Marantz AV10-Emotiva ERC3-Denafrips Venus-Panasonic UB820-AudioQuest Power Quest 707-Emotiva DR3, DR2, XPA2, XPA6-Focal Kanta No2, Sopra Center-PolkAudio RTiA9, RTiA3, LSiM 702F/X-Epik Empire-SVS SB5000-11.3
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,227
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    RIP Ray. sad news for sure.
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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 2,685
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    Just wanted to share my condolences to all here who knew this man, and his family, also. He didn't post a lot in the almost three years I've been here, but I've perused enough history to understand the impact he had. May he rest in peace.

    Brian

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  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 4,113
    edited July 2025
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    The man had some mad skills,

    RIP Ray.
    Since we don’t know where we are going we have to stick together in case someone gets there….Ken Kesey.

    Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper REALLY likes you.

    And the boots you lick will stomp you too.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,905
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    He was the consummate combo of analytical engineer and teacher. I learned something beneficial from just about every post he made on this forum. I also spent a bunch of money as a result, but it was worth it in search of such good sound!

    RIP
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  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,463
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    R.I.P. Darque Knight We've enjoyed and learned a lot from his precise, informative and instructional posts on many audio topics he shared with us. The dedication, time and effort he spent was staggering, and appreciated by many! No one can compare! His SDA Handbook and posts live on!
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,158
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    VR3 wrote: »
    Ray was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago and it was found too late

    PSA GUYS . . . get your a$$ checked… It’s not a big deal… Apparently, most everybody gets knocked out/sedated for a simple colonoscopy. That’s nonsense. Go in clean/Not drugged. It takes 10-12minutes

    I had my first and only one done about six years ago and it was a piece of cake. Time for another.

    there’s no way I could take a whole day off work for a simple procedure… The world has become pus -s-ified

    Man- Up beeches
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,873
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    Wow, seeing this thread really made time stand still for a moment. I want to pass along my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

    What a treasure he has been to this community, I never met him personally but shared a few PM's, I can only imagine how amazing he was in person based on what he gave to this family here at CP.

    He was truly an inspiration and he definitely helped me, and others for sure.. dive into this rabbit hole knowing what is within reach if you put your mind and effort into it.

    I'm at a loss for so many words, a good many here have done some great speaking on his behalf, very cool words.

    R.I.P sir.
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,124
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    Wow, I really hate to hear this, a great guy and source of information. RIR sir, you will be missed.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,645
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    Very sad to hear this. RIP Ray...
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 3,131
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    R.I.P.
    74v1605b6zrj.png

    A true legend leaves us
    "Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"
    Harry / Marietta GA
    m9iutt1ly1yd.png
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,154
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    Very sad news indeed for his family and the family here.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,147
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    This was shocking to hear. I never met him or even PM'd. But like many others I gained valuable knowledge from him from his posts since I was early into this hobby and joined CP back in 2009. I also really enjoyed the photos of his setups which were always so tastefully done with beautiful decor. RIP good sir.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|REL T/9X SE Sub
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,812
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    GlennDog wrote: »
    VR3 wrote: »
    Ray was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago and it was found too late

    PSA GUYS . . . get your a$$ checked… It’s not a big deal… Apparently, most everybody gets knocked out/sedated for a simple colonoscopy. That’s nonsense. Go in clean/Not drugged. It takes 10-12minutes

    I had my first and only one done about six years ago and it was a piece of cake. Time for another.

    there’s no way I could take a whole day off work for a simple procedure… The world has become pus -s-ified

    Man- Up beeches

    PSA #2- You don't check your prostrate with a colonoscopy, it's called a psa blood test and exam. Get it checked every year.

    Sorry to hear about this, my neighbor is going through the same thing, caught too late.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,432
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    Looking around my house now, and I see at least 3 audio keepers that I own because of him. Blessings to his family and friends and my sincere condolences to all. RIP.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,698
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    I'm really sorry to hear this news. Prayers and thoughts to his family and friends. What a class act. He sure loved objectively and subjectively doing audio experiments of which we all benefited. Graciously shared his knowledge.

    RIP

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,676
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    🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,154
    edited July 2025
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    Milito wrote: »
    I just saw this. He was a great asset to Club Polk and I always looked forward to his posts. He will be missed by many here and outside this forum I'm sure, RIP.

    As one who had prostrate cancer, everyone needs to have an annual checkup so you can catch it in time. I did and I'm cancer free.


    The PSA test should be done every year.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,698
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    I also forgot to add that I had great respect for him and the way he approached this audio hobby. It was hard to argue his findings (for the trolls), because he was so consistently concise and eloquently was able to convey his findings and opinions with solid facts, intuitions, observations and experiences.

    :'(

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • Mr. Sharpe
    Mr. Sharpe Posts: 1,359
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    Wow. So sad and many prayers to his loved ones. He had some really enjoyable write ups on here and threads to look through. Such a huge loss😞
    Home theater:
    43” Westinghouse Displayer
    Marantz UD-7007 Player
    Emotiva MC-700 Processor
    Adcom GFA-5006 Amplifier
    Parasound Zamp Amplifier
    Ethereal ESO-1 Power Conditioner
    Klipsch RC-10 Center
    Klipsch R34c Fronts
    Klipsch RB-41 Surrounds
    Polk audio PSW-505

    Stereo:
    Polk audio RTA-12c’s fully upgraded crossovers
    DIY 12tc braided speaker cables
    Denon DVD-5910ci Spinner
    Parasound P6 Preamplifer
    Parasound HCA -1500a Amplifier
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  • Osarion
    Osarion Posts: 197
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    Rest in peace and condolences to his family.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
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    Dude was Brilliant. God love you buddy. RIP.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,676
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    🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,644
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    Ray was a true diamond amongst the rest of us rocks. RIP
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  • Keiko
    Keiko Posts: 807
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    Oh wow. I know I've been away and this grieves me to learn. Ray and I would communicate via email every so often. Very sorry to hear of his passing. May he be with the LORD now. No better place to be.

    "To live is CHRIST, to die is gain"

    RIP, Ray. He really was a gem. I enjoyed reading his technical posts and the knowledge that he shared.
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