Politics, live concert, museums, factory visit – and bitterballen
We live in turbulent and uncertain times.
Economic, political, cultural and climatic changes follow each other very quickly, the future is no longer easy to predict.
Companies, the stock market, families and corporations are looking for new certainties, new goals.
It is not different in the audio world.
New challenges, pushing boundaries, daring and innovation – in addition to the familiar “daily business” is now a necessity for every company.
Our company often receives visits from the press, from home and abroad.
Like a week ago – one of the important writers of The Absolute Sound /US/ Magazine came for a factory visit.
Arriving from Washington early in the morning, we wanted to make sure that the jet lag does not strike – so decided to keep moving, preferably outside.
Our small country is blessed with many beautiful sights, inside and outside.
Close to our factory is the Hoge Veluwe National Park, with the Kröller-Müller museum, known for more than 50 Van Gogh paintings, among Picassos, Monets’ and Mondrians – almost too much to see in one go.
Art is always an inspiration for good conversations – all our favourite topics came along, during a walk in the sculpture garden, and 2 hours of cycling in the park (*works very well against jet lag).
World politics, the future of Europe, but also the future of high-end audio.
Analogue or streaming, small or large speakers, classic, rock or heavy metal – choices you can’t make.
Jacob is a musician AND an audiophile, but also a political writer and art lover.
So on that day there was no time for jet lag…
Time flew by, played a bit at home on my Bosendorfer – not to miss live music either.
The next two days were well spent on the factory visit. Our company puts the Netherlands on the audio world map, so we proudly explained and showed everything in detail.
More than 40 years of background, scientific research, measuring laboratory, design and marketing department, and of course the 15-person production team made an impression.
The highlight was perhaps the unique challenge, which Jacob took on after some hesitation: making a cable, with the guidance of our production manager.
After 2 hours of hard work – preparing, twisting, stripping and soldering – with utmost precision and concentration, he got the green light on the test machine.
He got a somewhat deeper insight into our work – following all the steps, precision for highest quality, measuring and listening to pass all the test parameters.
We spent the last day in Amsterdam – boat trip on the canals, visiting Anne Frank’s house – strolling around the small streets. Feeling the atmosphere and architecture, as far as it works among the tourists…
Experienced demonstrations – his political heart started beating faster – you could feel that from a number of complex articles which follow, in audio magazines and elsewhere.
He had to try 2 things: stroopwafels and bitterballen. And we concluded his visit with a beautiful, sold-out concert in the Royal Concertgebouw.
The circle is complete. Business, politics, art and music are all part of society, and further of the world situation. During these 4 days those ties were very strongly felt, crossing each other, strengthening and connected to each other by music.
– Gabi Rynveld
