Has the cost of HiFi gotten a bit too much?

@ejr1953 +1

Hi-fi products have not really risen more in price, there has simply been a general collapse in the normal midrange segment of high end audio. Now all new hifi companies are either doing direct sales cheaper products like DAC’s and headphones, USB e.t.c or they are doing 20-30k SOTA amps and speakers. There is less and less in between.

The high priced SOTA stuff has always been there, and always been priced like that. It just seems that’s where the focus is. This is a striver class Baby Boomer hobby and the industry is now catering to retiring boomers spending their pension funds. A similar thing is occurring in other Baby Boomer hobbies like classic cars from the 60-70’s.

 i think you are right...

Hi-fi products have not really risen more in price, there has simply been a general collapse in the normal midrange segment of high end audio. Now all new hifi companies are either doing direct sales cheaper products like DAC’s and headphones, USB e.t.c or they are doing 20-30k SOTA amps and speakers. There is less and less in between.

The high priced SOTA stuff has always been there, and always been priced like that. It just seems that’s where the focus is. This is a striver class Baby Boomer hobby and the industry is now catering to retiring boomers spending their pension funds. A similar thing is occurring in other Baby Boomer hobbies like classic cars from the 60-70’s.

@agisthos

You may be right about new hifi brands-- I'm most certainly no expert. You neglect to  define what you mean by "normal" but it is still possible to buy gear from established companies (Marantz, Creek, Rega, Cambridge, for example) that is better than "consumer audio" but is not ultra expensive like Boulder, Gryphon, etc. 

My eight year old Marantz integrated cost me $2500.
My three year old Kinki integrated cost me $2000
My brand new Technics integrated cost me $2700, and it's lightyears ahead in tech
and features and bests both by more than a margin. 

Manufacturers are always aware of demographics and keep gear priced accordingly so I'd say that the price has not gotten out of hand, unless one is envious of and covets what others have and just can't afford it, for reasons they should discard. Be the fox with the sour grapes and enjoy what you have. 👍

All the best,
Nonoise

@mahgister 

First: i know someone of my age that never owned a computer and trust only official TV news...

He is so lost about anything that it is impossible to discuss with him about what occur in the world... He cannot BELIEVE anything because the reality is so much incredible, that the sanitized version of event and the superficial one ONLY appear rational and not too frigthening for him... I understand that myself because what i learned is so disturbing even for me...

I know couple of people like this too.

One of them seems to be stuck in the 1980s, albeit an informed 1980s, but in the face of all this bewildering change his main response has been a deep longing for nostalgia.

The problem is, and I guess it always has been, is that once you get left behind by change and technology, it can be difficult to catch up again.

The sheer speed of recent change has been disorientating for many, to say the least, and comfortable certainty (community, employment, and finances etc) seems to be thing of the past.

Perhaps we all got just a little too complacent somewhere down the line?

Thankfully, many, many people, thanks largely to the internet, have to take control over their own health, finances and employment choices.

Reliance and trust in government, MSM and big pharma does seem to be gradually eroding.

Amen to that.

Today, in between Teams calls with folks around the world, I streamed a wide variety of the sweetest, most crystal clear music, much from Lee Ritenauer (sp). Possibly a master plot to control my destiny is underway, but I am going to focus on  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If it all goes to hell, I can grow vegetables and fish in my lake for food- but I will sure miss that music. Chin up my friends; we are all going to be ok. 

@cd318 

or not?

A recession is coming. When sales drop off, there will be lots of specials and sales. They have had the best three years in memory. Thy want to money to keep rolling.

A recession is always coming. The old wall street joke is “they” have predicted fifteen of the last 3 recessions. 

It was because they were thinking about an inevitable crisis everyone think about but they were predicting the wrong thing: inflation increase...

Inflation is linked to the actual monetary system.. it is part of his normal life so to speak...

What is coming is not inflation but the end, accelerated by Biden and some other players , of the actual monetary system...

i hope i am wrong but who knows what is better or not for humankind ?

A recession is always coming. The old wall street joke is “they” have predicted fifteen of the last 3 recessions.

@mahgister 

You know you are one of my favorites guys but inflation still trails historical averages. Rates have been so low for so long..it was like a coiled spring finally free from restraint. I’m not saying it isnt painful to those who are having a tough time. Monetary policy is kindof complicated wouldnt you agree?

Monetary concept is so complex that Joseph Schumpeter says that he had great pain to understand it...

Then i dont pretend to understand myself...

but if what you just say is right, and it is right, what i spoke about above has nothing to do with it...Inflation is a "normal" process in the past monetary system or in our actual one, which is in his last years, like you rightfully remarked...

A world wide change nowadays of the money units and systems and their basis is not caused necessarily nor is not necessarily the cause of an inflation increase...

This world wide change are geopolitical in part and technological, also not only intinsically economical ...Even Nature plays a role...

The hyperinflation that comes will be caused more by stupidity and greed than by necessary change...But a new monetary world is coming...A new geopolitical map too...A new technological paradise or /and hell also....

Personally i put my trust in spirituality and in nature...

There is no doubts in my mind that for those who can afford to buy them there will be great deal with costly piece of gear soon... 😁

We are in the midst of a financial crisis visible for everyone after 2008, a technological digital revolution, a geopolitical earthquake, now a war, and after this pandemy an another one...

I cannot imagine that the globalist heaven of an economy which is very dependant on any other part of the world will not be shattered by pandemy, wars, and climate changes......

i hope i am only one of the alleged stupid Cassendra haunting the fringe and waiting for the end of the world...

But i dont think so...

Then what do we do?

I dont give a damn about audio gear bargain deal to come soon for sure...

You know you are one of my favorites guys but inflation still trails historical averages. Rates have been so low for so long..it was like a coiled spring finally free from restraint. I’m not saying it isnt painful to those who are having a tough time. Monetary policy is kindof complicated wouldnt you agree?

I hear you @mahgister the meek shall inherit the earth but never forget that someone else will retain the mineral rights.

Best post i read for a long time... 😊😊😊😊😊😊😋😋😋😋😉😉😉😉

My deepest respect to you....

Stuff is definitely getting more expensive, I was the lucky guy who left the hobby, decided to come back AFTER all the brands I wanted raising their prices one month prior to my return to the hobby.

Antipodes, XI Eleven Audio being the two brands that raised their prices.....

My timing is just awesome.