particularly when you lose old friends. I was informed yesterday that Winston Ma of First Impression Music passed away after a very long battle with cancer. Winston was the true incarnation of the term a gentleman and a scholar. When we started the Tape Project so many years ago Winston helped us acquire some of our very first licenses. When I was starting out with Bottlehead Winston kindly gave me the opportunity to show some rather amateurish speakers at a Hong Kong audio show. I have many friends who can share similar stories of Winston's generosity. But my favorite memory is from maybe 17 or 18 years ago, of Winston setting aside his busy schedule and simply spending an afternoon on his veranda with me, sharing some of his marvelous tea and discussing philosophy. Vale Winston, and thanks for everything you did for us.
Another fixture of the audio scene has passed as well. Bill Van Winkle - audiophile, piano tuner and genuinely sweet guy - passed away yesterday. Bill often attended audio meets and shows accompanied by his close friend Pete Riggle. It was always a pleasure when the two of them would walk in to one of our exhibit rooms and share their listening impressions.
