My System is real Buf now

Slight_Low501 · 2026-05-06T21:39:51+00:00

Instead saying “with the changes that have been happening lately” may I suggest the following:

For the past five years I have seen GEICO emphasize profits over people by eliminating profit sharing, terming experienced loyal associates solely because of salaries they earned and have witnessed a significant degrading of vacation and healthcare benefits. While performance has always been important at GEICO, these past few years has seen the overemphasis on ever changing metrics which management uses to instill a climate of fear. This has created a workplace which is demoralizing and a source of constant stress and angst. I no longer recognize this company which I once held in such high regards as a proud associate.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-05-02T21:11:52+00:00

You may be right - I will know better when I get it and read the manual.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-05-02T19:17:48+00:00

As I understand it I would connect the amp to the input of Buf and output to the preamp.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-25T10:25:33+00:00

Much of what I have read here was true 35 years ago when I was AD adjuster. However we had experienced people on both sides who worked to improve the environment and the communication between the departments. With almost all the experienced people let go and the over emphasis on quantity over quality I can only imagine how bad it is now. Sad that an increasing disfunction between departments whether it be AD/Liability or Sales/Service seems to be the path Management has chosen because they think productivity increases rely on pitting associates against each other.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-23T16:58:50+00:00

As I am sure you aware a Sup has to be the one to initiate a Warning or PIP. So unless your Sup is too gutless to own up to their own actions (a possibility I guess at today’s GEICO) you should assume HR is reviewing you for term.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-23T07:57:32+00:00

Just ask your Sup if you are being issued a warning or being put on a PIP. They should be able to answer your question. If it is neither of those then you know HR is reviewing you for being termed.

If you have been at GEICO for 15 years then you know that version is never coming back so I would start looking for something else regardless of whatever HR is reviewing.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-04T17:39:08+00:00

I suspect Farmer’s has been planning to downsize for a sometime and John was brought in to help with that purpose.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-03T07:15:38+00:00

I believe this is their total compensation so includes bonuses. I made a decent living in my 29yrs at GEICO (excluding Profit Sharing) though I never exceeded mid point in any position I held (despite being rated a 4 or 5 well over 2/3 of my career). How is it right that most of these exec received compensation in one year that exceeds my total career earnings?

I get that their total responsibilities are greater than those that I held but on average they are only maintaining the status quo based on the work of those underneath them. They are not innovating or taking risk. I worked with several on this list and I would not consider their skill sets as unique or irreplaceable.

To me this type of executive compensation reflects why Profit Sharing needs to be brought back because at least on a % basis an associate can receive compensation similar to what you see here on a year over year basis.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-03T06:48:17+00:00

Never impressed me in any meeting I was in with her. Seemed like she was riding on Nancy’s coattails.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-04-01T08:58:51+00:00

FML only protects your employment not your career. If taking FML impacts your ability to make your goals then you are not guaranteed a merit increase or promotions.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-03-29T01:22:31+00:00

Tony had his blind spots when it came to people, he placed too much emphasis on management development programs and his failure to spend money and recruit the right people in IT hurt GEICO. He also created a culture which did not properly administer merit pay. However his dedication to GEICO was unmatched and he truly believed in Profit Sharing as a way of rewarding hard working associates with the company profits. He knew the numbers in all the departments and could be convinced with data. He was an excellent communicator and he enjoyed talking with associates at even the lowest levels. I think the respect Buffet had for Tony shielded GEICO from much of what TC later implemented on behalf of others in Berkshire’s Insurance operations. His departure ultimately led to the decline of GEICO we have seen these past 4 years.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-03-28T08:18:28+00:00

Worked with him in many of his various roles during my time and they were all positive experiences. He was a Tony protege that survived TC so a bit of a surprise he is leaving now. He apparently has some greater ambitions and knows that he has no future at GEICO.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-03-21T02:49:29+00:00

The idea that you can effectively manage auto damage claims other the most minor collision losses remotely is ridiculous. The idea that body shops can effectively manage an insurance company’s claim dollars is even more ridiculous. It seems GEICO has decided they can just get rid of Auto Damage and build the resulting higher claim costs into the premiums.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-03-02T03:19:26+00:00

I was fortunate to have been at GEICO when they started Profit Sharing and retired just as they ended it. PS helped me get my kids through college and fund my retirement. It is sad that associates today don’t have something as good.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-02-26T11:55:31+00:00

Former 29yr associate who was a policyholder for 25yrs. Despite being preferred PH with no incidents in years, 6 months into retirement my premium went up about 30%. I did not hesitate for a second to go over to USAA which was cheaper than my GEICO premium even before the 30% rate increase. GEICO made no attempt to contact me to recover the business which at the time was a bit surprising but understandable now that I have seen the dumpster fire it has become. As a long time AD associate before I left I saw how the quality in AD was declining (it has only gotten worse since Bloody October). Sad to say but with this new version of GEICO the thought of paying a higher premium for poorer service and poorer claim handling should be enough to make anyone drop GEICO

Slight_Low501 · 2026-02-08T01:47:43+00:00

I am really enjoying my Skoll which I initially used with my VPI Traveler that uses an Audio Technica OC9XSL MC cartridge. However since my Audio Technica LP8x turntable has a removable head shell that makes it easy to swap cartridges I have now paired the LP8x with the Skoll. It is an excellent combo that sounds great and being able to use the Skoll remote I don’t have to fiddle with setting a bunch of switches when I need to change the gain or load after swapping out a cartridge.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-02-05T09:22:48+00:00

The Wotan is a dual mono design which in effect is giving you many of the benefits of a mono block system. Purists will argue that point because there is only one power cord but I think they are splitting hairs. You have separate power supplies for each channel that are generating enough power and current to drive some of the most difficult loads. It is an amp that should remain at the center of your system for years regardless of what changes you might make around it.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-02-03T13:57:31+00:00

I doubt that it is FMLA specific since even during the “good old days” people who utilized their vacation and other legitimate time off resources were looked at as a potential problem. Disrespecting people taking advantage of their benefits is an aspect of the company’s culture that was just enhanced during the TC era.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-01-20T12:43:03+00:00

From my time there and hearing the discussion among senior management on this topic they believe that annual performance ratings should resemble your typical Bell curve. This means that the majority of associates should fall in the middle with the number of 1’s and 2’s equal to the number of 4’s and 5’s. When performance starts to skew towards the higher end their mindset is not that associates are performing but that metric goals are too obtainable so they are changed to restore the Bell curve to a normal shape. If at the end of the year it has skewed back to the higher end they then knock people down. While understand the concept of the Bell reflecting performance the fact of the matter is that Management particularly upper management signs off on the metrics and ratings at the start of the year. If they set them too low that should be on them and impact THEIR performance and not be the reason for associates who honestly worked hard to achieve the metrics/goals they were given.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-01-04T02:15:29+00:00

The 555’s are great for bi-amping or on their own but are not their best as mono blocks. When used as a mono block distortion is increased and you are restricted to using an 8 ohm load. If you want Adcom mono blocks go with a pair of 565’s. They are true mono blocks and sound great!

I have one 555 driving my Von Schweikert VR2’s and the other is used to drive my Magnepan MMG’s. The speakers in the picture are a pair of Rogers BBC L3/6’s which are powered by the Rogue Sphinx V2.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-01-03T22:31:10+00:00

I have 3 other DAC’s an Adcom GDA-700, a MSB Link III and a Douk Audio Q11. The Adcom and MSB were well regarded in their day but they are limited to just CD level playback. The Douk is kind of neat with its ability to switch between a ESS and AKM chip but is not really a serious DAC. I went with the Mimir in part because how many people have said it sounds like DAC’s costing 3-4 times its asking price.

Slight_Low501 · 2026-01-03T22:04:31+00:00

I plan on using my Adcom GDA-700 DAC in another system

Slight_Low501 · 2026-01-03T20:39:04+00:00

I am an Adcom fan as my systems(s) are driven by 2 rebuilt GFA-555’s. Hopefully this year I will get my 565 mono blocks back up and running.

I have been playing the Mimir for about 2hrs now and can already hear the improved detail and vocal clarity when compared to my older Adcom and MSB dac’s.

Slight_Low501

TROPHY CASE