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Has hi fi become too specialized

Let me start by saying that my system consists of Two Tandberg 3009A monoblocks(180 watts per side) one Tandberg 3018A preamp, one Tandberg 3001A tuner, a Rega PL25 with Benz Ace MC, a Sony ES 777 SCD, Boston Acoustics A400 speakers, and a couple of Richard Gray 400S power conditioners. All hooked up with Nordost Red Dawn interconnects, Red Dawn speaker cables, and Moray James power cords. I realize that while my system is not the last word in current hi fi, it will also not humiliate itself under a variety of music and conditions. The other day I dropped by my very nice local hi fi dealer to see what was new. I ended up listening to an assortment of Thiel speakers among others. The listening was done under typical audio room (Excellent) conditions, much better than the conditions in my office!! Even under those perfect listening conditions it became apparent that this was a system that would humiliate itself under a wide variety of music(Mozart, Patricia Barber, Louis Armstrong, Tom Petty.... you get the idea!) While this super expensive and set up perfectly system had moments of greatness with some music, it fell flat on it's face with other types of (Less serious) music. My point is most of the older hi fi systems I've listened to do make all types of music an enjoyable experience. The latest hi fi equipment while no doubt advanced is also alot more narrow focused. While listening to all kinds of current " Super Equipment" I have found the same problem. As I get older I find myself exploring types of music that I thought I never would(African, experimental, new wave, electronic, etc..)I like to think my horizons are expanding! When I first bought my gear I did so because classical sounded great on it. Imagine how good I feel about my investment now because it has the ability to make anything I feed it sound good. Back at the dealer when we listened to Tom Petty through the Thiels my ears were bleeding from the stark, harsh, revealing, naked sound of the Thiels. I feel current hi fi is too specialized, what say you.
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Showing 1 response by french_fries

french_fries
815 posts
 
An analogy to cars could be useful here-
i've owned a pontiac (poorly engineered but easy/cheap to maintain 2.volvo- precise but underpowered, VERY EXPENSIVE to maintain 3.ford mustang 5.0- overpowered, imprecise, cheap to maintain 4.honda accord- precise, needed a little more power- reasonable maintainance 5. toyota 6 cyl.solara-could use rear wheel drive, but better than the accord. now, a ferrari would hug a race track, but not city streets (i.e.-average recordings). i must say that when i grew up in this hobby, you got a receiver, a turntable, and a nice pair of $500 speakers. the wire was thrown in. and i had NO complaints.
now i can hear deep into good recordings, AND i'm still HAVING FUN- the 1st and last commandment in audio. but my system is pretty complicated and expensive. and my speakers weigh over 200 lbs each, which is kind of obscene in itself.
so it does bother my conscience from time to time. but listening to d.krall-live in paris- well, you can almost hear the audience breathing out there...
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