Hype, Hyperbole and high price!

kenny928 OP16 posts05-04-2016 4:44pm 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.

Engineering school has a course for street smarts?

I tell him politely my background and then ask him a series of questions which leaves him dumbfounded.

One of those, Do you know who I am types? That’s all I need to know.

I am an engineer first and an audiophile second.

When it comes to audio, I trust my ear 1st. My fancy degree, specifications ... come 2nd.

I just get tired of the massive increase in prices over time. I have been an audiophile since 1979 and have seen the increase in hype and prices without empirical data to back the claims.

It’s call capitalism! Entrepreneur identifies a market and create companies to fill a void. If you fall for the hype, it’s not companies fault but yours. There are consequences in a free society with the ability to choose.

Audiophile companies operate in a niche market where demand is low, supply is low so price is high. If you only sell 50 amps annual, you have to charge more for each to stay in business. Conversely you have companies like Walmart that deals with high demand, high volume so prices are low. Economics 101.

Ever notice that power cord shipped with the product? It is an inexpensive one. Why would a 20K piece of equipment be shipped out with such a feeble cord if it made such a huge difference in sound? Just sayin'!

Simple, like most tube components, companies anticipate you roll them so don't bother including expensive PCs. 

falconquest78 posts05-04-2016 7:47pmGeez Kenny,
Why do some people feel they need a BMW M5 to get to work when a Kia Sportage will get them there just as easily? It’s a marketplace. If people want to spend thousands of dollars on speaker cables then for cripes sake let them! Are they better? Who cares? They think they are. Just because I can prove that a Kia Sportage from an engineering standpoint can get you to work the same as a BMW M5 doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for the M5! And whose standard are we to live by? I get tired of those who put down audiophiles based on "engineering principles". Do your research, find what works for you and go with what you can afford. It doesn’t mean any one of us is right or wrong. Hopefully we’re happy with our system and that’s all that’s required. BTW, why are you using Nordost cables when you can get them much cheaper from Radio Shack?

Kenny boy thinks he better than you. Everybody should live by his standards, frugalness and street smarts. Notice how he criticizes his friends getting scammed and duped? With a PITA friend like Kenny, who needs enemies.

Remember, Kenny has an engineering degree so you can’t dupe him and is much smarter than all of us . GMAB!!!

kenny928 OP35 posts05-05-2016 10:29amAolmrd1241 - I avoid the literature and just listen and that is what sold me more than any white sheet or advert. Kimber Kables did it for me as well.

What happened to, "I am an engineer first and an audiophile second."  What a fraud!

In some cases, you simply can't buy a quality product at any price now- everything is disposable.

Innovation and efficiency have contributed to more disposable commodity as price drops.   Great example is computers.   Saw an ad last wknd $499 for a HP laptop with all the bells and whistles.   For me this is a positive for consumers.

I don't agree 100% simply can't buy quality at any price.
  

One of the things I like about this industry is that it is still made up of small, "cottage" type manufacturers. And, there's quality out there.

The consequence is higher prices with low volume and low demand.

whart, Try clothes from LL Bean.   I buy most of my daily wardrobe from them.  I think it has a lifetime warranty.   I also shop at Timberland, Bloomingdales and Barney's of New York.  

I've been using iPhone for years without any issues.   I only upgraded to 6 Plus for larger screen and got $200 rebate for a 4s.

Quality issues I encountered is with specific retailers.   Sears is top of the list.   Definitely not my father's Sears.

I love any thread where Al quotes himself.

almarg got all wet an OP is armed with an engineering and physics background and can see through the BS claims made, PLUS used to work for both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.  LOL!!!

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.  

Super cars and mansions in magazines and TV shows don't prevent anyone from buying cars or homes.   Just buy what you can afford?    You can build a very nice system on a budget especially internet age.   Used market or home base retailers with lower operating expenses.

I don't buy the argument expensive components is the reason for lack of interest in the hobby.