BIG PLANS for the Future of UNITED STATES OF ANALOG! 12 RESOLUTIONS for My Channel in 2025!
United States of Analog | December 31, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This is a “state of the channel” video where host Bob reflects on his 18 months running the United States of Analog YouTube channel and shares 12 New Year’s resolutions for 2025. He discusses channel growth, his motivations for creating content, imposter syndrome despite his radio background, and begins outlining his goals for the upcoming year.
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
Channel Analytics & Growth:
- [00:02:35] Channel has grown to almost 20,000 subscribers in 18 months, starting from 5 subscribers on day one
- [00:02:54] Growth has accelerated from 100-200 new subscribers per month early on to 2,000-3,000 per month currently
- [00:02:40] Expresses uncertainty about whether this growth rate is good or bad
Financial Reality:
- [00:03:07] Emphasizes this is not a money grab – “a lot more money goes out here in the United States of analog than comes in”
- [00:03:15] Maintains full-time radio job, broadcasting five days a week
- [00:05:00] Sees potential for additional income in “golden years” when radio career ends
Personal Struggles:
- [00:01:44] Admits to having “terrible case of imposter syndrome” despite 33 years in radio and being in Texas Radio Hall of Fame
- [00:02:08] Gets down about the channel sometimes and doesn’t like the numbers
- [00:06:44] Listening fatigue from testing equipment has reduced his enjoyment of music for pleasure
Creative Philosophy:
- [00:04:40] Believes humans should “emulate the creator himself” and that creation is a fundamental human purpose
- [00:05:29] Operates as a one-man show, handling all conception, writing, production, and editing
- [00:05:50] Prefers working alone because “when I want to make a video I want to make it now”
2025 Resolutions Mentioned:
Resolution #1 [00:06:13]: Listen to more music for pleasure
- Has rarely sat down to enjoy music in past 18 months due to constant equipment testing
- Uses same 15-20 test tracks repeatedly for equipment evaluation
- Wants to rediscover the joy of music listening that existed before starting the channel
Resolution #2 [00:07:01]: Attend more audio shows
- Attended Dallas show and Expona show in Schaumburg, Illinois in 2024
- Views shows as opportunities to meet audio heroes and network
Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes:
Memorable Quotes:
- [00:00:13] “I just came up with them in the hot tub”
- [00:02:22] References first welcome message from British Audiophile: “he welcomed me to the circus”
- [00:03:56] “Count yourself lucky that you’re among a small group of dedicated warriors because it is a very small very small niche”
- [00:05:31] Self-deprecating humor: “I proof not very well. I get the facts wrong sometimes”
Notable Moments:
- [00:01:34] Meta-humor about needing to edit after saying he’ll do the video without edits
- [00:03:45] Suggests he might have been better off starting a watch channel instead of audio due to the niche nature
Summary
In this New Year’s reflection video, United States of Analog host Bob takes a candid look at his channel’s 18-month journey from 5 subscribers to nearly 20,000, while grappling with imposter syndrome despite his extensive 33-year radio background and induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. He’s brutally honest about the financial reality of audiophile content creation, emphasizing that expenses far exceed income and that this venture is driven by his lifelong need to create rather than monetary gain.
The most striking revelation is how his passion project has paradoxically diminished his pure enjoyment of music. Bob admits that constant equipment testing with the same 15-20 test tracks has created a listening fatigue that prevents him from simply sitting down and enjoying music for pleasure – something that was a great joy before starting the channel. This ironic situation where creating content about audio gear has reduced his musical enjoyment forms the foundation of his first resolution for 2025.
Bob begins outlining his 12 resolutions for the channel’s future, starting with reclaiming music listening for pleasure and attending more audio shows for networking and inspiration. His approach is refreshingly unfiltered, acknowledging his perfectionist tendencies that keep him working as a one-man operation despite having professionally trained film editor sons who could help. The video establishes an intimate, fireside chat tone as he prepares to share his complete vision for the channel’s evolution in 2025.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
[00:08:43] Rune – The host expresses confusion about what Rune is and what it does, calling it mystifying
[00:10:04] Unspecified amplifier – Mentions having an amplifier upstairs for six months that he hasn’t reviewed yet
[00:11:05] Speakers – Expresses need to review more speakers but notes they’re difficult to obtain due to size and shipping costs
[00:12:52] Phono preamp collaboration – Discusses wanting to create a $45 United States of Analog branded moving magnet phono preamp for beginning audiophiles
[00:13:03] Apos – Mentions talking to Apos about the phono preamp collaboration idea
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
[00:08:51] Rune confusion – States he’s “mystified by Rune” and doesn’t understand why he needs it or what it does
[00:10:10] Self-assessment as reviewer – Admits “I’m not a good enough reviewer yet” to properly review certain equipment
[00:10:29] Audio community praise – Describes fellow audio enthusiasts as “so accepting” and “everybody’s a good sport”
[00:11:36] Imposter syndrome – Questions why anyone would want to wear his logo or pay $25-30 for his t-shirts
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
[00:08:51] “I hope to figure out exactly what Rune is and what Rune does. I’m still mystified by Rune”
[00:10:10] “I’m not a good enough reviewer yet to really get my head around it”
[00:10:29] “That’s the one thing I learned about this group of people these audio nerds these fellow audio nerds is that they’re so accepting”
[00:11:36] “Why would anyone want to wear my logo, right? That’s the feeling I have in my head”
Summary
This portion of the video focuses on the host’s business and channel development resolutions for 2025. He discusses his confusion about Rune, a product he doesn’t understand despite its apparent popularity in the audiophile community, and expresses hope that John Darko or other users might help clarify its purpose. The host also addresses the practical challenges of running a YouTube audio channel, including his reliance on manufacturers and retailers to lend equipment for reviews, and admits to having gear he’s held for months without reviewing due to his self-perceived limitations as a reviewer.
The host reveals his business aspirations, including expanding merchandise sales (particularly t-shirts) to international markets like the UK, and his dream of collaborating with a company like Apos to create an affordable $45 phono preamp branded with his channel name. He sees this as fitting with his “United States of Analog” brand identity and desire to serve beginning audiophiles. Throughout this discussion, he displays notable imposter syndrome, questioning why anyone would want his merchandise while simultaneously recognizing the supportive nature of the audio community.
The segment also touches on his subscriber growth goals, having reached 20,000 subscribers in 18 months and aiming for 50,000 by the end of 2025. He hints that this milestone may influence major decisions about the channel’s future, suggesting that subscriber growth is crucial for his motivation to continue the channel long-term, even while acknowledging that viewer numbers shouldn’t matter to his existing audience who simply want entertainment and information.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
No specific gear, products, or brands are mentioned in this final portion.
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
[00:18:30-00:18:35] The host considers making his final resolution “to be more of a kind of disruptor in this space” and asks viewers what they think about whether he should continue or go.
[00:19:07-00:19:24] Despite sometimes telling his wife he’s done and “out,” he always gets up the next morning and continues because “audio was one of my first loves.”
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
[00:20:28-00:20:32] The host asks viewers about their own audio resolutions for 2025: “what are your goals new equipment get rid of some equipment sell some stuff off”
[00:21:00-00:21:04] He suggests viewers bookmark YouTube’s suggested next video if they’re too tired to watch it immediately: “It’s late, you might not want to watch or you might be tired, but you know what bookmark it and maybe watch it later.”
How did the video wrap up?
[00:20:13-00:20:16] The host concludes his New Year’s resolutions, stating “So that’s it the New Year’s resolutions. I’m spent. I’m hot. I’m sweating bullets right now.”
[00:20:18-00:20:23] He thanks viewers for watching what he calls his “diatribe”
[00:20:40-00:21:04] Standard YouTube outro encouraging subscriptions and directing viewers to the next suggested video
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?
[00:18:37-00:18:40] “Should I continue? Should I stay or should I go? That’s a clash song and you know, I I wrestle with that some nights”
[00:18:48-00:18:55] “I could make more money if money was the goal. I could make more money pulling a shift at Target, you know at night”
[00:19:34-00:19:36] “Because it’s like having pen pals everywhere”
[00:19:45-00:20:09] “it’s like having pen pals all around the world and I just get I just get like a kid on Christmas morning when I see that someone from Stockholm Sweden or Frankfurt Germany or Tasmania… I got a subscriber in and it’s like Christmas morning when that happens”
Summary
In this final portion, the host reflects on his goal to reach 50,000 subscribers by the end of 2025 and 100,000 by 2026. He discusses his ninth resolution about collaborating with other YouTubers, specifically mentioning Randy the Cheap Audio Man, Lenny Florentine of All Elite Audio, Skylabs Audio, and reaching out to Steve Guttenberg and British Audiophile for potential collaborations. He also addresses his tenth resolution about being nicer to his family during production, acknowledging that he can become grumpy and demanding when filming due to the time-consuming nature of content creation.
The host opens up about his struggles with professionalism and his identity as a “disruptor” in the audio space, wondering if he should lean more into that role in 2025. He has moments of doubt about continuing the channel, sometimes thinking he could make more money working at Target, but his love for audio and the connection with his global audience keeps him motivated. He describes the joy he feels when gaining subscribers from around the world, comparing it to “having pen pals everywhere” and feeling like “a kid on Christmas morning.”
The video concludes with the host asking viewers about their own audio resolutions for 2025, thanking them for watching his personal reflections, and encouraging engagement through subscriptions and comments. Despite his self-described unprofessional approach and moments of wanting to quit, his passion for audio and the community he’s built clearly drives him to continue creating content, ending on a note that emphasizes the personal connection he feels with his worldwide audience.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
