Tom,
First on my list would be the need for less hype about sonic improvements. Hey, I'm not saying that improvements aren't happening but it's difficult to tell what is real and what is simply promotion.
More care in the recording studio. It seems some really great engineers were replaced with tech types to the detriment of the finished product. Additionally the manufacturers should push for support from the recording industry. It seems that better technologies would be more likely to survive if there were principle agreements that "if" the equipment manufacturers were to develop playback then the studios would support the availability of the medium and keep the software cost reasonable.
Affordability is an issue for me. Don't get me wrong on this because I am a believer in dedicated lines, cryoed pieces, etc. but so much of what we are doing in the area of cables and such is controlling tone. I would certainly appreciate some disclosure from the manufacturers with regard to related pieces used in the development of their products. This would take a lot of mystery out of the buying process. With all the deserved criticism of Linn as a given we should also agree there is no doubt about what source components and speakers they are using when they develop another amp or whatever. If XYZ amplifier maker uses a particular speaker, source or cabling to voice their product then it seems reasonable to disclose this to the potential buyer.
Upgradability. If a two channel person desired to eventually incorporate home theatre and convenience into a very simple system then the upgrade path should simply be the purchase of additional pieces that work together by design. This is unlikely to happen without manufacturers forming an alliance.
It would be nice if there were just a few simple standards such as selectable voltages, locations of power cords and input/ouputs so that cabling issues were minimized. It would also be nice if enclosures were somewhat standardized even if they were different, as in small, medium and large. That would make equipment stand manufacturers be able to accomodate needs easier.
The industry really should rethink it's distribution methods and warranties in light of what developed countries have done to make this a world economy. Subtle issues also need to be addressed such as support for customers without either a local retailer or a local retailer that doesn't do what is needed. A perfect example is my nearest Linn dealer. He can't even set up a turntable. I should be able to buy either directly from Linn America and do it myself at a reduced price or my local outlet should be required to provide the service especially in light of the price fixing involved. The regional distributor isn't going to hold the retailers feet to the fire for fear of the retailer dropping the line. Nor is the North American distributor going to much care, let alone those in Scotland as long as sales goals are acheived.
Warranties should be world wide and transferrable as long as the product was purchased from a legitimate outlet. Even if the product in hand was not purchased from such an outlet the service should be performed at a reasonable price. With the advent of online purchasing, the possibility of someone unknowingly owning a piece of gear that can't be serviced is getting more likely. Manufacturers and retailers need to accept the fact that their turf is getting more difficult to protect and that the consumer shouldn't be the one to suffer.
Resurrect some products from the dead. As you personally are aware I'm in need of an affordable step up device to run my cartridge of choice. The perfect fit is the Cotter which is long out of production. I wonder if anyone has approached the designer and asked about the possibility of licensing the design. Sometimes there isn't a need to reinvent the wheel and still keep the wheels of commerce turning.
Some of these suggestions seem anti-freedom and trouble me to post them but I'm not responsible for NAFTA, GATT nor the WTO. These are reactions to the reality of living in the real world and trying to make the most out of it.
Great post Tom. I'm sure this will generate a lot of responses.
Patrick
First on my list would be the need for less hype about sonic improvements. Hey, I'm not saying that improvements aren't happening but it's difficult to tell what is real and what is simply promotion.
More care in the recording studio. It seems some really great engineers were replaced with tech types to the detriment of the finished product. Additionally the manufacturers should push for support from the recording industry. It seems that better technologies would be more likely to survive if there were principle agreements that "if" the equipment manufacturers were to develop playback then the studios would support the availability of the medium and keep the software cost reasonable.
Affordability is an issue for me. Don't get me wrong on this because I am a believer in dedicated lines, cryoed pieces, etc. but so much of what we are doing in the area of cables and such is controlling tone. I would certainly appreciate some disclosure from the manufacturers with regard to related pieces used in the development of their products. This would take a lot of mystery out of the buying process. With all the deserved criticism of Linn as a given we should also agree there is no doubt about what source components and speakers they are using when they develop another amp or whatever. If XYZ amplifier maker uses a particular speaker, source or cabling to voice their product then it seems reasonable to disclose this to the potential buyer.
Upgradability. If a two channel person desired to eventually incorporate home theatre and convenience into a very simple system then the upgrade path should simply be the purchase of additional pieces that work together by design. This is unlikely to happen without manufacturers forming an alliance.
It would be nice if there were just a few simple standards such as selectable voltages, locations of power cords and input/ouputs so that cabling issues were minimized. It would also be nice if enclosures were somewhat standardized even if they were different, as in small, medium and large. That would make equipment stand manufacturers be able to accomodate needs easier.
The industry really should rethink it's distribution methods and warranties in light of what developed countries have done to make this a world economy. Subtle issues also need to be addressed such as support for customers without either a local retailer or a local retailer that doesn't do what is needed. A perfect example is my nearest Linn dealer. He can't even set up a turntable. I should be able to buy either directly from Linn America and do it myself at a reduced price or my local outlet should be required to provide the service especially in light of the price fixing involved. The regional distributor isn't going to hold the retailers feet to the fire for fear of the retailer dropping the line. Nor is the North American distributor going to much care, let alone those in Scotland as long as sales goals are acheived.
Warranties should be world wide and transferrable as long as the product was purchased from a legitimate outlet. Even if the product in hand was not purchased from such an outlet the service should be performed at a reasonable price. With the advent of online purchasing, the possibility of someone unknowingly owning a piece of gear that can't be serviced is getting more likely. Manufacturers and retailers need to accept the fact that their turf is getting more difficult to protect and that the consumer shouldn't be the one to suffer.
Resurrect some products from the dead. As you personally are aware I'm in need of an affordable step up device to run my cartridge of choice. The perfect fit is the Cotter which is long out of production. I wonder if anyone has approached the designer and asked about the possibility of licensing the design. Sometimes there isn't a need to reinvent the wheel and still keep the wheels of commerce turning.
Some of these suggestions seem anti-freedom and trouble me to post them but I'm not responsible for NAFTA, GATT nor the WTO. These are reactions to the reality of living in the real world and trying to make the most out of it.
Great post Tom. I'm sure this will generate a lot of responses.
Patrick