"I always buy the audio gear that has the hottest looking chicks in their ads."
+1
+1
HOW MUCH DO NON-AUDIO FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR AUDIO PURCHASES?
I think most audiophiles would like to think it's all about the sound, but for me there's often many factors not related specifically to sound quality, that play a big part when deciding what audio component to buy. Perceived build quality, brand name reputation, specs, even things mostly related to appearance can have a big influence. I have for years, pursued matched, one-brand systems and seemingly can not be truly content with my two-channel rig otherwise, regardless of the performance or build quality of specific components. I sometimes think the whole process is, for me, more an exercise in obsessive behavior than a rational pursuit of a logical outcome. So how about you? Any tales of audiophilia nervosa you'd be willing to share?
64 responses Add your response
Interesting; I'm antithetical to the OP's MO of one-brand systems, and I'm really not sure why except that it seems too pedestrian. Which is a crap rationale, I realize. But I tend to get nervous if I have even two components made by the same brand (maybe cables are an exception). In order: Sound Aesthetic Brand recognition @mahgister -- Your system has to be one of the most unusual and unconventional I've ever seen; you have the freedom to change and adapt your room as needed which many of us do not. |
jdmccall56 I sometimes think the whole process is, for me, more an exercise in obsessive behavior than a rational pursuit of a logical outcome ...All joking aside, obsessive behavior is a behavioral disorder. If you truly feel what you wrote is actually true, I urge you to get help. Seriously. When people talk about "audiophilia nervosa," they are just joking. It's a nutty hobby. But being genuinely obsessive is not amusing or healthy. |
I care only about price, and quality design.... Vintage mythical product for my amplifier... Vintage good one for my speakers... My Dac is contemporary but is minimal design with internal battery, externally coupled to a transformer, a NOS one design using a "single" old TDA 1543 chip...I paid it 20 bucks on EBAY bid....😁 This dac for the last 2 years reveal to me no defect on any count and improve with my improving system controls....There is better dac but what is their price? Many thousand dollars not hundreds....Anyway this dac well embeddded will beat many costly one badly embedded... This truth is misunderstood by most alas! After that the only important factor is how do you embed all that ....I listen to it and then to correct its way in my room i created my homemade controls devices....Better to create than to buy..... The final results is not a feast for the eyes.... 😁 Said my wife who blissfully say that to me listening music, but it is the best sound ever! ( she exagerated here but without knowing it) But no one can made me really jealous.... It is not necessary to own the best system , it is only necessary to recreate a good instrumental timbre experience... If the vibraphone is in your room with an aural hues in the tone variation and perfect decay and the sound dont come from 2 speakers thats all.... For 500 bucks+peanuts all included who can says better? The only audiophiles suffering from a disease are the one who upgrade endlessly without even knowing how to embed their gear.... |
I have for years, pursued matched, one-brand systems and seemingly can not be truly content with my two-channel rig otherwise, regardless of the performance or build quality of specific components. I sometimes think the whole process is, for me, more an exercise in obsessive behavior than a rational pursuit of a logical outcome. Congratulations, for you are living the First Commandment of Audio: Know thyself. I'm pretty much the opposite: all rational pursuit of a logical outcome. Aesthetics, ergonomics, image, reliability, etc all are there to be weighed on the blind scale of performance. Long ago when shopping gear I got so tired of the routine. Having to tell you all about the company, technology, workmanship. Didn't take long to hear just how irrelevant these things are. Two of the best most expensive impressive build and brand names in all the audio world- Wilson and Mark Levinson- are also two things I have never heard sound good anywhere ever. So I don't care if it's held together with bailing wire and bubblegum. Just play the damn thing let me hear how it sounds. In my system, which is freaking spectacular by the way, I have a Herron phono stage that when you take it apart and study is built like some kind of cross between a Swiss vault and a Grand Seiko Spring Drive. Also have Tekton speakers that look like really good DIY. But if I had to call it the speakers are probably the more impressive of the two- and the Herron is no slouch by any means. Audiophile nervosa by the way is when you spend so much time analytically evaluating every little thing that after a while you're unable to shut it off, kick back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors. I did have that once, many years ago. Detected it, saw it for what it was, saw how it could ruin the whole thing, which is not what I want and so no more of that. Same logical process. It's just that simple. |
