To remain down-to-earth and real, this brings us now to the self-congratulatory braggard's portion of this anniversary address. To wit: In 12-month's time, we've already exceeded the legally imposed speed limit of 55 - hardware reviews that is, with a goodly number of product premieres representing a fair mix of the affordable and expensive. There's 70 music reviews in the can, signifying a wickedly unfair focus on a single genre. 17 industry features. 15 Auroville columns for fellow 'philes Positive Feedback On-Line (kudos to Dave Clark for letting us ride their far bigger coat tails with his generous return links to our site). And two show reports, with a third one in the wing (fitting since we're flying with one only, preferring acrobatic improv to corporate stagnation).


Say, not half bad for a venture that, this year past, was predominated by a single fella's keyboard. Still, mostly isn't synonymous with exclusive by a long shot. Hence, give it up for fellow deep space travelers Stephaen, Edward, Mike and Chip. Purely for the glory of it, these maniacs have contributed witty and insightful articles and reviews pro bono. Yep, that's right - for nothing, not even a dinky dime. Perhaps they're hoping to reap the spoils of success at a later time while enjoying our freedom of speech right now?


We encourage them to flaunt rather than flail their penmen's personalities. It's the only payback we could think of and simultaneously afford: Have fun, let it rip. Cheap, eh? Still, this solitary benefit of Editorial perspective proved of enough short-term value to have them invest a certain sweat equity on the front end. Are they waiting for more-or-less fullrange response on the back end in the future? I certainly hope so. Good work shouldn't go without recompense. Let the stylus drop for some sound then. Truly, I'm only too cognizant of the fact that sooner or later, I owe these gents some monetary compensation, never mind putting food on my own table.


What's more, I'd like to go after specific foreign correspondents -- Japan, Singapore, France, Italy and Germany -- who'd tap into their respective audio underground cultures and share with us the exotic goings-on of products and designers that our US colonialist myopia overlooks. To facilitate this direction of growth while maintaining the focus and quality we've demonstrated thus far? Dare I bring it up? That takes money. Loot. What a concept.


Say what? No trust fund babies, stockholders, inheritance chasers at 6moons who could hold the bag? Afraid not. To tackle this perennial dance between creativity and commerce, dream and reality, you've noted the select and much appreciated support, from manufacturing and dealer sponsors, that 6moons has managed to generate since our lift-off in June of 2002. Without it, we wouldn't have made it this far despite our at least one wing. Simple as that. Another hand then for all of our ad sponsors. Thank you, sincerely and from our hearts! But, is this scheme of ad-sponsored publishing truly the best and most elegant solution? Certain of our readers don't seem to think so. Instead, they've suggested we turn subscription.
May 2003 - Avantgarde Acoustic TRIO/BASSHORN 
May 2003 - Orthospectrum Musicalizer
May 2003 - Analysis Plus Power Oval 10
May 2003 - VBT Magellan VIII
May 2003 - Bel Canto Design DAC2
May 2003 - Hadcock 242SE tonearm
May 2003 - Sophia Electric S.E.T. 300B MkII
April 2003 - Shanling T-100 tube CD player
April 2003 - Music Hall MMF-25 Follow-Up
April 2003 - Cairn Fog v.2 24/192
April 2003 - Diva Audio Tian Zhu
April 2003 - Artistic Audio Vacuum Reference IC
April 2003 - Shunyata Guardian & Diamondback
March 2003 - Zanden Audio Model 5000 MkII
March 2003 - Musse Audio MiniMax & PureMagic
March 2003 - AUDIOPAX Model 88
March 2003 - Walker Audio Velocitor
March 2003 - BVaudio PA300
March 2003 - Audiomeca Mephisto II
March 2003 - Audio Magic Mini Stealth
March 2003 - Edward Barker - From London
February 2003 - Music Hall CD-25
February 2003 - 47Lab Shigaraki /Konus system
February 2003 - Konus Audio Essence
February 2003 - Mike Healey's Audio Journey
February 2003 - Grand Prix Audio Apex Part 2
February 2003 - 47Lab Shigaraki Amplifier
February 2003 - 47Lab Shigaraki DAC & Transport
January 2003 - Coincident Victory
January 2003 - Cain & Cain Studio BEN
January 2003 - Grand Prix Audio Apex
December 2002 - Unison Research Unico
December 2002 - Audio Magic Stealth Kukama DAC
December 2002 - HMS Gran Finale / Energia
December 2002 - Jolida JD-100
November 2002 - Toslink vs. Coax
November 2002 - Grand Prix Audio Monaco
November 2002 - Reviewing the Reviewer
November 2002 - Harmonix RFA-78i
October 2002 - DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Eight
October 2002 - Meadowlark Audio Swift
September 2002 - nOrh/IRD Le Amp/MB-100
September 2002 - Analysis Plus Oval 8/Solo Crystal
August 2002 - Furutech Follow-Up, I
August 2002 - AKG / nOrh / Stefan AudioArt
August 2002 - Furutech RTP-6 power strip
August 2002 - Furutech RD-2 CD/DVD degausser
August 2002 - HeadRoom Maxed-Out Home
August 2000 - Bel Canto Design eVo 2i
August 2000 - Birdland Audio Odeon-Ag
July 2000 - AKG K-1000 dynamic headphones
July 2000 - Audio Magic Digital Stealth
July 2002 - Aria Audio Ltd. WT100 LS XL amplifier
July 2002 - Furutech RD-1 CD/DVD degausser
June 2002 - nOrh SM 6.9

Hola, Sir John, now hold it there for a moment. Your site's been Robin Hood free all along. Why the heck would we pay now? Is this an evil trick?


Well, don't you pay to go to the movies, to read books, newspapers, other (print) magazines? Why would a small fee for equivalent content be objectionable just because it were delivered in a far more convenient electronic format? The work involved, I assure you, is no less real or time-consuming.

But there's more. If 6moons were like any of the big dog magazines, we'd have a separate ad department, with professional bill chasers and telemarketing solicitors. Presumably, these mercenaries and our writers would remain off each other's radars to uphold that iron-clad separation between Church and State, Editorial and Business. Right. We'd fly our own Air Scooter II twin-rotor personal helicopter to and from work. [Click image to learn more on how to order yours.] However, since we're one of the small dog rags, we walk to work. Also, yours truly gets to be judge, jury and executioner all at once. Perhaps you can appreciate how shifting one's personality from the smooth overdrive of creative inspiration in one moment, into full-throttle reverse the very next -- to deal with overdue ad contracts, to solicit same in the first place while the end of the month is looming and the coffers are squeaking -- is a very jarring business? My poor transmission is primed for the creative, barely fit for crass commerce.


It's why so many artists of yore, prior to business and marketing managers, were starving artists. It's why many of us still continue in that vein to this day. It's why some of the best, most focused and concentrated art arises when concerns over financial viability and inspiration are truly separated. Could you dig a larger stable of excellent writers; more trade show coverage (which thus far groups under the header "personal expenses"); international correspondents; factory tours? After a year's worth of free content, would you agree to pay a modest annual subscription fee now?


If you've read our short report on the recent relocation, you'll concur that we're not flaming capitalists, just a bunch of guys
-- and hopefully gals in the future -- trying to provide a service while keeping our own dinghies afloat. To help us gauge your response to this proposal, take a second and click on one of the two following e-mail links. Your reply is pre-formatted as the subject header. Unless you want to add specific commentary (which we'd welcome very much indeed), we'll receive your yeah or nay to count our votes if you simply click "send" in your e-mail program. Should the auto-launch not work properly for you, paste sebaen@taosnet.com into your e-mail program and put the words "yes subscription" or "no subscription" in the subject header.


  • YES, I gladly pay $15 for an annual subscription. That's just a bit more than a buck a month. Not only is that eminently fair, it seems like a great deal. Count me in.
  • NO, I refuse to pay. Let your advertisers be your sole support. Can't hack the logistics? Get another job. Sorry bud!


Thanks for taking the time. Let me know what you think. As you can see, we're not dictatorial around here. Instead, we are trying to grow our venture in accord with your preferences while educating you about our needs. After all, this site's primary raison d'être is serving you. If we need to talk to ourselves? We'll do it in front of the mirror with the tooth brush and lotsa cheap foam.


Here's to another year then, in the outer space of our small but rapidly spinning six moons: Bismillah. Sláinte. Na zdorovia. Kampai. L'chaim. Proost. Okole maluna. Eis Igian. Salute. Cheers.


PS: Since our outré community is truly international in scope, here are toasts in a few more languages we managed to scare up - Genatzt (Armenian); Op uw gezondheid (Belgian); Saude (Brazilian); Nien Nien nu e (Chinese); Na Zdravi (Czech); Skal (Danish); Fee sihetak (Egyptian); Je zia sano (Esperanto); Kippis (Finnish);
A votre sante (French); Prost (German); Kasugta (Greenlandic); Kedves egezsegere (Hungarian); Santanka nu (Icelandic); Apki Lambi Umar Ke Liye (Indian); I sveikas (Lithuanian); Slamat minum (Malay); Saha wa'afiab (Moroccan); Kia oro (New Zealandian); Sanda bashi (Pakistani); Mabuhay (Phillipino); Vivat (Polish); A sua saude (Portuguese); Noroc (Romanian); Salud (Spanish); Sawadsi (Thai); Boovatje zdorovi (Ukrainian); Lechyd da (Welsh); Zivio (Yugoslavian); and Oogy wawa (Zulu).


BlueGreen Algae from the Klamath Lake - a true SuperFood and great Smoothie ingredient! Bottoms up!
Which begs the question. If it tastes good, who cares about the language or label on the bottle? Ditto for music. If it speaks to you, who cares two wits about the gear? That makes us writing about it endlessly - well, what exactly? Redundant? Superfluous? An unnecessary luxury? A welcome entertainment? A diversion and distraction? As always, you be the judge. Incidentally, what's a bossa nova? Your foreman's wheels. A diminished fifth? An empty bottle of Jack Daniels. A high C? The only drink you can afford when food stamps are low. Perfect pitch? The smooth coating on a freshly paved road. A whole note? What's due after failing to pay the mortgage for a year. A Bach Chorale? The place behind the barn where you keep the horses. (This reality feedback from my friend Brian Kurtz of Austin's Sound Mind Audio. Way to go, Brian!)