17 June 2001 (In response to latest Joe Lee Says - “Mayday! Mayday!”) Dear Joe, I read about the need for investors in your business and wish that I could be of help. I'm sorry that I don't have capital or contact. All I have to offer is my undying belief in you. You have always be a genius to me. You have creative ideas and solid business concepts and most importantly, you have drive! Your ambition and brilliant ideas to match are amazing. Without these qualities, no great success is ever achieved. I am proud of the way Kim and you have ploughed ahead. you were never a 'failure' as you mentioned, as your success is not just measured by fortune built, but by the courage and tenacity required to give birth to dreams, the willingness to sacrifice and labor without glory, the friends made and lives touched... and the changes you have affected in your domain - the sound world. I wish you great monetary success too and i believe it will come. I just wish it's sooner! Love you! - Anna from US - (Readers, Anna is my beloved sister!)

15 June 2001 Dear Joe and the 1388 Team, They say that people in Hong Kong move very fast. I think I can say the same about 1388 Team. I had the pleasure of having Alan (Yilun) and his wonderful wife over at my place last night and what he did to my system was nothing short of miraculous! He confidently placed his  crystals and coins here and there and the skilled tweaking really did wonders. You gotta be proud of this guy, Joe!. He knows what he's on about. I can hardly recognise my system sound now. The most obvious thing I noted is that my all tube system sounds much more spacious and open with a lot more tonal colour and harmonics. Absolutely lovely! Alan professed that he just loves depth within the sonic landscape. So, as the evening wore on I could actually hear more and more depth within the soundstage. Enticing! Tonal balance is just right, the bass is tight and tuneful as opposed to the wallowy, amorphous mess it was before, the mids are gorgeous and the highs just shimmer. Oh yes, I almost forgot I now enjoy excellent imaging dead centre with proper height! I briefly wondered if the two bottles of wine we had had anything to do with it but no, I checked again this morning. Still captivating! Thanks for allowing me to once again just enjoy the music. I almost regret that I have to leave today for a holiday to the States... Warmest regards.  - K.G. Tan from Hong Kong - (Read Alan Ong’s articles or email him)

26 May 2001 Hi Joe, I have just stumbled across your website and read your article (No Money No Talk) about throwing (er, placing) money at a system to make it sound better. We are all familiar with that time-honoured concept but never in the way you suggested. Having nothing much to do on a Saturday afternoon, I tried your tweak by taking a deep breath, suspending my disbelief and reading your article a few times to make sure I wasn't mistaken. I must be even more gullible than I thought but your coin placing suggestions really work! I still can't believe it. Everytime I thought I heard a significant difference (which was often) I'd mutter to myself, "snakeoil" or "must be my imagination". But no, it really  works. Bravo and thank you for sharing this wonderful tweak with the disbelieving masses. You now preach to the converted - I've registered with 1388! Great site and keep up the good work! Best regards,  - Guan Tan - (Abstracted)

2 April 2001 Dear Joe, Thank you for your visit last Thursday. Your tweaks really woke up my system. Now, at least my feet would start taping with some of the jazz or pop music being played. Besides, I think Auric illuminator also helps a lot in enhancing the music's clarity, focusing, dynamic and tightening the bass. Dear Joe, another thing  that amazed me, besides you magical technique in tweaking, is your personality. Despite the fact that you are now the boss of 1388 and your big  name amongst the hifi enthusiasts, you are such a friendly, helpful, and warm-hearted person. It is so easy to feel your friendliness. Besides, I also feel terribly sorry that you were forced to do 'sauna' in my stuffy little room. Thanks also to Kim for her patience in waiting for us.  - Jen Yan - (Abstracted)

19 March 2001 Hi Joe, It has been an enjoyable experience reading all the articles in 1388.com. I even start to follow some of the suggested ways to tweak my system... Thank you for initiating 1388. It has been like a heaven for audiophiles. I  have read throughly all your articles in Audiophiles' Home section and have tried out putting different materials (e.g. 1-cent, 5-cent, Jade, crystal) on different 'strategic' positions as you adviced. As a result, my system's sound stage open up and the solo singer's voice is focused at the centre... - Jen Yan - (Abstracted)

10 March 2001 Hi Joe, The system is sounding much much better after your tweaks. I will write a comprehensive report of your great accomplishments to be put up at 1388. That time when you came I had  just added spikes to the front speakers and have not really tuned it to the best  position, I have adjusted their position recently and with your tweaks it is really goosebump city! I am thinking of the tube, five and 1 cent tweaks I have often seen on your site and am wondering how those might help and whether I will need them. Maybe you might care to enlighten me? I can't tell you how grateful I am. Please let me know how I may help you with anything you need. I will be proud and happy if you were to need to use my room (if it is good enough?) for demonstrations of any kind (just let me know). I would love to go with you guys for tweaking  sessions and whatever events you organize. It is amazing that in this "dog-bite-dog" world, one can still find people like you to warm our hearts with your kind actions... P.S. The next time you come, I'll make sure the  air-con is blasted to its max. capacity. A million Thanks! - Alan Ong - (Abstracted)

12 Feb 2001 Hello Joe, I can tell the differences after your magic touch to my system even when listening to the tuner. The instruments are well placed and layers of the music are well presented. You can feel the music just like the wave coming to you. The space of soundstage is balanced from front to back. The vocal are powerful and  pin-point, as if you can see their throats. I like the bass, it just flow from the far back directly to you naturally and descended gracefully. Hehe, but don’t be too happy, that is not all your effort. I’ve done a good job, at least I’ve built a good foundation and you did the  finishing touch... I’m very appreciate with your help, I’ll do the best by supporting your products and posting regular articles to 1388 web site. Thanks again! - John Chan - (Abstracted)

8 Feb 2001 Hi Joe Thank you for your time and all you have done to my set up last Saturday. Indeed, those little tricks made a great difference. The sound stage has widen, the instruments and vocal very well-layered, emotions in the vocal has been brought out, the bass control improved tremendously, and many more that the limited sensitivity of my ears can't define. Anyhow, with your effort, I could listen to music with much pleasure and comfort. - Winson -

18 Jan 2001 Joe, Once again, I have to thank you for spending time at my place and help tweak my system, paying extra efforts on my pitifully poor room acoustics. I've NEVER enjoy the Fostex the way I did after you tweak it... Its just unbelievable! Thanks alot. Also, apology to your wife, keeping her boring in  the sole 3 hours. If only my wife is around then she may not be so bored. I'm a lot more confident now for my coming PowWow. Thanks for everything you did. Sincerely, - TK -

13 Jan 2001 Hi Kim, I was reading Dr.Wong's article about his wish list for the year 2001, and felt like there's no business more deserving to be recognised than your 1388 business. I wanted to thank Joe for bringing the magic spark into our sound system. I was really surprised when I walked into our audio room, and hear Madonna's CD playing so beautifully on our simple system, which I thought could only play vocals and plain audiophile stuff (that's why I insisted to my husband Hong Wee in the beginning that we have two systems, the tube amp for his audiophile, and theYamaha for playing my pop music). After Joe came to  tweak our system, we are now able to play all kinds of music. It's  wonderful, and sound surpassing for our modest system. I really feel touched by your kindness and sincerity in helping others to achieve the best out of their systems, and asking nothing in return. I believe even the best systems money can buy still need the right treatment to make it sound its money worth or more, and Joe has done that for us by using some of his magic (I rather like Fairy tale stories, so since I am not technically informed, let me just believe in magic. It's beautiful!). Thank you for bringing the ‘life’ into our audio system. And as for Dr. Wong's wish for "not having to squeeze into a smelly MRT" and having his own car to travel around and serving his friends' needs, I also would like to thank Dr. Wong so much for modifying our CD player's clock. Well, judging by the list of people who wanted to have their CD players' clock modified, I can see that your work have impressed and appreciate not only by us. Dr. Wong, your dream might just come true. It 's wonderful! Oh, and not forgetting,  thanks Jason, Jingyang, and all Hong Wee's audiophile friends for helping him with our audio system in so many ways. Hong Wee and I love music and it's wonderful to have not just music to listen to, but beautiful sounding music. THANKS! Happy New year to all! - Lynn -

4 Jan 2001 Hi Joe, This is YC. I've not been surfing the web for hi-fi info for a while and I haven't updated my site for a while. I'm back (tho' swamped with work) and I've discovered 1388.com. I noticed that you recommended my site... well, I'm very flattered, thank you for your kind comments. I still remember reading all your articles when Hi-Fi Corner was still around...the articles were very entertaining to read and I remember going to Hi-Fi Corner to get all my classical CDs. Anyway, I shall endeavour to start updating my site again (and to add a link to 1388) as soon as I find the time. Best wishes to the crew at 1388.com! - YC -

4 Jan 2001 Hi Joe and Oyster, Happy New Year! Still can remember me? I am  the guy who forgot to serve drinks to you when both of you came to my house on 23 December 2000. I am Alan's colleague, Wei Liang. Actually I did not expect you to find the way to my house. Maybe Joe can sense the Hi-fi in my house? Due to my laziness and the holiday mood that I had, until today I type this email to you.Another reason is that I am enjoying the Hi-Fi and doing nothing else when I am at home. A BIG THANK YOU for your time and effort spent in tweaking my Hi-fi (I still wondering how Joe manage to hear the vibration produce by the plastics hiding below the drawers). I know my room is not ideal for such a Hi-fi set but I have many restrictions (I have S.M.S. that means Scare Mother Syndrome). As a beginner, I am very grateful to have such a good sound. Joe's  recommendation of the Houston tube amp and the Elac speakers is great combination. Dr Jon's modification of my Marantz CDP had made the player  sounds more lively. Finally, I just want to say Thanks to all of you. Of course, not forgetting Alan for his many help. Wishing everybody 1388.... - Wei Liang -

21 Dec 2000 Hi Joe, Well said! Hope you are not too bothered about those negative people trying to "buy you up". Life is full of suffering, but ENJOY it. - Leon - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

21 Dec 2000 Joe, please don't be discouraged! The fact that there are envious people out there spreading rumour or giving nasty remarks about 1388 means you guys must be doing something right and perceive to be eating into their territory or market share. Maybe they felt threaten by the way you conduct your business but isn't that what entrepreneurship is all about? People by nature are not comfortable with changes and tend to resist and suppress them but if it is good for the industry, why not? Bottom line it is free market force at play and may the best with the most creative, most innovative, most competitive and the company that can ADD VALUE to their customers win. BTW: I learned a lot about tweaking the audio system from your writeup and numerous comments and it works for me. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your great 1388 Team. Regards! - Gary - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

20 Dec 2000 Joe, I certainly regret there is so much suspicion and jealousy in the world today. This, unfortunately, is not within our individual control. What is in our control is to persevere with our dreams and not succumb to the worldly evils. I can identify with what you have written (and well written at that too!) and would like to wish you all the very best in your enterprise. I think that Lee Kuan Yew would be proud to have a Singaporean like you. Selling goat meat and helping others to sell chicken or beef is a great concept. In fact, imo, there is nothing wrong with also eventually rearing your own chicken and eventually selling chicken meat yourself - this is entreprenuership in a competitive environment. Keep your head above the water and you will be fine. Regards. - Selespeed - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

20 Dec 20 00 Joe, After reading your long and interesting letter, I've only this to say "Big tree invites wind" (A Chinese proverb). Your 1388 has caused some dealers (competitors or not) to be wary and as such the undeserving bad publicity. Nevermind, we simply cannot please everybody in this whole wide world where "one type of  rice feeds hundred types of people" (mom's teaching, another Chinese proverb). 1388's 2001 challenge must be rolling out your brand of products as per announced and getting positive feedback. Possibly one slip and those "small people" (read in Cantonese) would be out for blood. I wish you and your team and very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2001! - KOH - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

20 Dec 2000 Hi Joe, I had read part of your mail and I think that those people anyhow said bad things about you are those guys that are jealous about the services you can provide and how successful you are. Don't bother about what they said. Keep up the good work and I must say that you web site is getting more and morebinteresting. With best regard! - Adam - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

20 Dec 2000 Hello Joe Lee, I know your web and your company in The Guangzhou AV Fair. I think your web is very good for audiophiles. Hope can fine more info about audio from your web. Go your own way, let others talk. Merry X’mas! - Rich from China - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

20 Dec 2000 Hi Joe& his colleagues, This is the first time I'm writing to you, but I've being surfing your website & reading your stories for quite a while. From my point of view, you are not wrong to promote your products (if they are good) as 1388 is a commercial company, all your stuff need to eat! Whereas for other agents/dealers, they for sure will be promoting their own products rather than others, am I right? As I believe, if the products are really good/vaule-for-money, there should be no worry in selling them because the consumers are very smart nowaday. They will not simply  buy just because you say is good, please correct me if I'm wrong. As for other rumors, I think I'm not at the right position to comment. But keep going  as long you think what you do is right, don't care too much about the rumors as time will review the truth (I know it is not easy). Don't worry, you will always have our full support. Runnig a dot com company is quite tough (I understand as I'm in IT line), please move on & hope to see 1388.com growing & always hearing good news from you (eg. better price, better service, better products, etc). Btw, am I talking too much? Lastly, I wish 1388 have a better year in Year 2001, 2002, 2003....& A Merry X'Mas & Wonderful New Year! - Robin - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)

20 Dec 2000 Hi, read your last email. Felt very sad to see your name tarnished. Life’s like that, people can get downright nasty and bitchy. What to do?...nothing much. Just stick to your principles and do the best you can. Intelligent people can tell poisonous backstabbing from true criticism. Regarding the accusation of kickbacks from the systems you recommend...I did wonder...initially. But you had stated your independent stand quite clearly from the start and I guess some trust/faith is in order. Keep up the good work and take no notice of your detractors, there are always jealous people out there. Happy Holidays! Cheers! - Khoo - (In response to Joe Lee’s 10th letter to all members on 19th Dec 2000)