This is a cut'n'paste of 'Famous FEP' post written by Joe Petrik. ( Thanks, Joe!
)
It has been 7 years since this original post appeared on the Naim Forum, but I still
find it witty and encapsulates a lot of Flat Earth idiosynchrasy .
Thanks to Audio Asylum regular Mike ( memmo ), now Joe's FEP 2.0 has an auto-add function so no need for a pad or pencil. The total score will be automagically tallied at the end.
Since the original FEP scale was created, many have complained (bitterly and ad
nauseum I should add) that their score should have been higher. OK, sore losers
aside I now see that the the original scale had limitations and inaccuracies. I've
responded to the legitimate criticism to create a new 'n' improved scale, FEP 2.0
Ready? Get a pad and pencil out and tally your FEPs...
Power FEPs
Do you have a separate spur for your hi-fi?
If yes, add 40 points.
Is your system plugged into a power conditioner, powerline enhancer, or computer
power bar?
If yes subtract 100 points (because this one thing kills the groove more
than a legion of active Kans could ever hope to fix).
Source FEPs
Do you own any of the following tables: LP12, Rega P9, or Roxy?
If yes, add 40 points.
Or these tables: Linn Axis, Rega P25, or the Michell rotating cake stands?
If yes, add 30 points.
Or these: P3, Linn Basic, old Heybrook, or Revolver? If yes, add 20 points.
Any American table?
If yes, subtract 30 points.
Is your turntable placed on a dedicated altar? If yes, add 20 points.
Does your table have an external power supply?
If yes, add 30 points.
Is your turntable worth more than your speakers?
If yes, add 35 points.
Is your table better than your arm?
If yes, add 20 points. If not, subtract 10.
Is your arm better than your cartridge? If yes, add 20 points. If not, subtract 10.
If you understand why the last two questions were asked,
add 10 points. If not, subtract 10. (Be honest.)
Do you own a record cleaner?
If yes, add 25 points.
Do you use fancy anti-static inner sleeves?
If yes, add 10 points.
Does your turntable's platter weigh 50 kg or more?
If yes, subtract 25 points.
Does your turntable have a record clamp?
If yes, subtract 10 points.
Is CD your only source?
If yes, subtract 10 points, unless you own a CDS-II (add
30 points), a CDS, CDX + XPS or CD12 (add 20 points), a CDI, CD2, or CDX (add 10
points), or a CD3 or CD3.5 (add 5 points).
Electronics FEPs
Does your preamp have a mono switch?
If yes, add 30 points.
Have you ever accidentally left the preamp in mono but didn't notice for days? If yes, add 20 points.
Did you paint the front of your 52 silver to match the rest of your classic Flat
Earth kit? If yes, add 20 points. (This is to establish
whether you're a Flat Earther of yore, obviously worth 20 points in and of itself.)
Did you chintz out and get your preamp without a phono input? If yes, subtract 50 points, unless you did this
specifically to free up money for a separate phono stage. If you did that, add 80 points.
Does your preamp weigh 5 pounds and your power amp weigh 500? If yes, subtract 40 points.
Did you go active before maxing out your source, preamp and power supply? If yes, subtract 20 points.
Does your preamp have tubes? If yes, subtract 30 points.
Does your power amp have tubes? If yes, subtract 30 points.
Speaker FEPs
Do you own any of the following speakers: Kan I, Kan II, Sara, Isobarik, IBL, SBL,
NBL, DBL, Quad 57s?
If yes, add 40 points.
Do you own speakers by any of the following manufacturers: Royd, Neat, Epos or Dynaudio? If yes, add 30 points.
Do you own speakers by any American manufacturer?
If yes, subtract 80 points (because this is almost as bad
as line conditioners for killing the music).
Do you position your speakers for the best overall groove and image? (zero points), best groove (add 20 points), or best image
(subtract 20 points)?
Lifestyle FEPs
Do you enjoy air, space and blackness? If yes, subtract 40 points.
Do you go to live concerts to enjoy air, space and blackness?
If yes, subtract 80 points for being a wanker.
Is it better to have thin but groovy bass? (add 20 points) or full but flubby bass (subtract 20 points)?
Have you ever spent an afternoon adjusting the tracking force for that magic value
between 1.95 g and 1.96g? If yes, add 20 points.
Do you vacuum your cartridge regularly, knowing full well that one day you'll suck
the generator right out? If yes, add 15 points.
Did you try all four positions of the belt and both positions of the mat on your
LP12 to determine which sounds best? If yes, add 10 points. If you ever wondered whether the belt and mat combinations
interact and therefore exponentially increase the number of permutations add another
10 points.
Add another 10 if you tried all permutations.
Do you spend Saturday afternoon at garage sales, looking for 50 cent LPs?
If yes, add 10 points.
Do you own a 45 RMP version of Yello's "Stella"? If yes, add 5 points.
Do you own a half-speed master of ELP's "Tarkus"?
If yes, subtract 40 points.
Do you buy half-speed mastered audiophool LPs for their smooth, silky sound?
If yes subtract 35 points.
Have you ever gone to a shop that carries high-end American gear? If you go to deliberately take the piss in front of the
salesdude, add 40 points. If you go to report here how dire the system sounded,
add 20 points.
If you go because you're wondering if a soundstage is for you, subtract 20 points.
Have you ever dreamt about hi-fi?
Was it about hearing or owning better Flat Earth kit (add
20 points) or
about hearing or owning better Round Earth kit (subtract
20 points).