High End is Dead?


Browsing used audio sites such as Audiogon and the Marts, high end gear ads are dominated by several dealers. Non-dealer ads are usually people trying to push 15+ year old off-brand junk at 60-70% of MSRP (when they were new). They don't sell anything. You could slash Wilsons, Magicos, etc, 50% off retail and no one will buy them.

No one buys if it costs more than 1k. It's not that they're not interested -- the ads get plenty of views. It's that the asking prices are just way over the ability of buyers to pay. Fact is, if you see a high end piece for sale it's probably by a dealer, often times trying to push it at 15% off retail because its a trade in, but also often they are taking a good chunk off the price 30, 40 sometimes 50% off. They can be famous brands with a million positive reviews. No buyers.

Are we just poor, and that's all there is to it? 
madavid0

Showing 9 responses by dill

"Okay, how many pieces of high end have you sold / bought? Recently?"

Bought - 86
Sold - 420
Six hours ago you said:  "No one buys if it costs more than 1k."
now you say: 
"I bet you very few will buy anything above a few thousand dollars."
Kudos you truly have a presidential memory ... 

IMO; anyone that uses the phrase "snake oil" to describe some item that may or may not provide a difference in sound in one's system has either not tried it or dismissed it because of bias based on an concept of "it can't possibly work". In the audiophile world there are not 2 systems that are alike, no two ears alike and interpretation alike. Who are you George, do you decide what we hear or don't hear? Your negative and narrow minded view does a disservice to the advancement to HEA.
Come on George, that's just silly talk, expand your mind. Makes me think you might have an agenda ...
And they have quarter million dollar cars, 20 million dollar yachts, 25 million dollar jets, 50 million dollar homes, really!!!!!.
The "snake oil" mantra of the (we know best) naysayers is getting ever so tiring. Go pick on the prescription drug companies, new furniture companies, oil companies and most of the crap they hawk on TV.

Most that inhabit HEA are intelligent people and can make good decisions based on "real life experience" . If all this wire & tweek stuff is bunk, it wouldn't still be here 30+ years later if it didn't provide results. IMO, what is all boils down to is money. If one determines it is too expensive, it must be "snake oil" and I think that is a false conclusion.
People have been saying that for 50 years. Take a look at the major audio review sites and audio shows, make note of all the high-end manufacturers from around the world. It is clear that high-end is not dead. Look at the revival of records, reel to reel tape and I am seeing a new surge in cassette interest. All are peeking the interest of the younger crowd, planting the seeds for upgrades in the future.