2. amps-preamps
  3. 157525-102842

How Do You Live The Audiophile Life

I don’t really have the credentials to be on Audiogon. Kef Q150s and new NAD equipment that replaced my stalwart Arcam Solo. Maybe I can peek over the fence.
So I’ve have a question about the new equipment. I’m browsing the forums, looking for an answer. I know as much as about audio as anyone who isn’t an audiophile. But I was astonished at the number of brands I’d never heard of. And I know the price of the stuff I have heard of.
I’m in NYC. Maybe there’s five high-end dealers here. I’m guessing that number drops off quickly once you cross the Hudson.
This is a long winded way to ask how you live the audiophile life? How do you get access to this stuff? I’d want to hear something before dropping a car-like sum on it. Do you buy blind? Do you travel? Go to the industry shows? Help me, teach me, inform me.
I guess this question applies to speakers as well. Maybe more so. But I was in the amplifier section so . . .
paul6001

Showing 2 responses by freediver

freediver
1,259 posts
 
IMO the UTMOST importance is to know what actual musical instruments sound like in various venues..If you don’t know what the real thing sounds like you will NEVER have a really good system..
After you know what to listen for start with reviews reviews reviews..These will help narrow down the list of suspects that interest you..After that you either travel to a store for demos OR buy unheard from a dealer that has a strong return policy or gently used at a price that you can recoup if you don’t like what you bought..
freediver
1,259 posts
 
^^^cool site^^^......Man oh man I remember for YEARS waiting for the new(printed paper magazine)Equipment Buying Guides from Stereophile,TAS,Hi Fi News,Hi Fi Choice & a few others long gone now & digesting them over a years time till the next came out,each one dog eared & ink marked up with the wishlist...Now all that is readily available on the net making it much easier to live the audiophile life...
More to discover