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Hype, Hyperbole and high price!

Okay, I understand that this site has to make money by having advertisers, but cheese and crackers, the claims that are made are just laughable if not down right criminal!  Before I attended an engineering university I too was duped into buying expensive wires and such.  Now, armed with an engineering and physics background, I can see through the BS claims made.  I try and not let it get in the way of my enjoyment of good quality stereo equipment, but when a salesman tries to sell me something based on testimonials, hype and hyperbole, I tell him politely my background and then ask him a series of questions which leaves him dumbfounded. 

Such crap as directional wires - (I used to work for both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) and trust me, if we had to test the miles of wires for directionality in every piece of equipment built...well you get the gist.

I have friends that are audio snobs and although they argue with me (Basically buyer's remorse) they know that what I say is true and end the conversation.  Oh well, I suppose I will continue to get a headache when I read said claims.

Sigh!
kenny928

Showing 1 response by ihor

ihor
88 posts
 
Regardless how one feels about expensive cables and such and all the stated claims of audio nirvana (although I do find the Brilliant Pebbles appalling and amusing at the same time - how soon before we start seeing $100 plus 'audiophile' grade Scotch tape for attaching the pebbles (take a look at their website!!!) (Pet Rocks for the audio crowd!), such items pose major concern to our 'hobby.'

For me the big issue with all these incredibly priced products is the impact they have on bringing new folks into the fold.  I can't tell you how many folks, both young with good-paying jobs and older with disposable income, that just roll their eyes about investing in quality audio systems after browsing ads, magazines, and websites and seeing $1,000+ cables, $2,000 plus cartridges, $3,000K DACs and other such costly items.  Between the ridiculous (at least to them) cost and claims, this completely turns many interested folks off to our hobby.  To me this is the biggest problem with such items.  Granted there are much less expensive but really good products out there, but that is not what the general public really gets exposed to.  

As many folks have said, trust your ears and spend your money as you feel appropriate for yourself and your ears.
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