Mike:
The introduction of the web has produced some very real changes:
1. sped up a change that had been in process for the last 25 years ... there are less brick and mortar stores. The physical stores that remain are distinctively more high-end.
2. made more equipment from more manufacturers available for purchase. I "upgrade" far more quickly. I rarely use something until it falls apart.
3. permitted the consumer to buy from just about any dealer anywhere ... less dealer loyalty ... more difficult to enforce dealer territories.
4. allowed the enthusiast to spend increasingly more time devoted to this hobby.
I think back to the first real hi-fi system that I purchased in 1979 (Pioneer 636 receiver; Dual 1257 turntable; EPI 100 speakers). I had a choice of easily a dozen stores in Manhattan alone to listen to the equipment. Hi-Fi had broad appeal as a hobby and owning a good stereo was as important as owning a car. But at the same time, I was also limited in my choices, as I could only buy the brands that were available in these stores, as purchasing by mail was not something that a lot of people did. Getting a UPS or FedEx delivery, was fairly exotic and costly (a package courier by law had to affix first class postage to anything that was sent out). Not only was "list price" strictly enforced by dealers and manufacturers alike (Pioneer spent millions litigating this in the courts), but so were dealer territories.
As late as 1995, if I wanted to buy ADCOM or KEF, I had to go to Harvey's. If I wanted to buy EPOS, I had to go to Sound by Singer. Right now, if I wanted to buy a pair of EPOS ESL3 speakers, I can think of at least 5 places to purchase them without leaving my chair.
Lastly, I can and do spend many hours on-line immersed in this hobby. I am not limited to a handful of monthly magazines or speaking with my buddies to keep abreast of things.
It's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall the web has made the hobby better.
Regards, Rich
The introduction of the web has produced some very real changes:
1. sped up a change that had been in process for the last 25 years ... there are less brick and mortar stores. The physical stores that remain are distinctively more high-end.
2. made more equipment from more manufacturers available for purchase. I "upgrade" far more quickly. I rarely use something until it falls apart.
3. permitted the consumer to buy from just about any dealer anywhere ... less dealer loyalty ... more difficult to enforce dealer territories.
4. allowed the enthusiast to spend increasingly more time devoted to this hobby.
I think back to the first real hi-fi system that I purchased in 1979 (Pioneer 636 receiver; Dual 1257 turntable; EPI 100 speakers). I had a choice of easily a dozen stores in Manhattan alone to listen to the equipment. Hi-Fi had broad appeal as a hobby and owning a good stereo was as important as owning a car. But at the same time, I was also limited in my choices, as I could only buy the brands that were available in these stores, as purchasing by mail was not something that a lot of people did. Getting a UPS or FedEx delivery, was fairly exotic and costly (a package courier by law had to affix first class postage to anything that was sent out). Not only was "list price" strictly enforced by dealers and manufacturers alike (Pioneer spent millions litigating this in the courts), but so were dealer territories.
As late as 1995, if I wanted to buy ADCOM or KEF, I had to go to Harvey's. If I wanted to buy EPOS, I had to go to Sound by Singer. Right now, if I wanted to buy a pair of EPOS ESL3 speakers, I can think of at least 5 places to purchase them without leaving my chair.
Lastly, I can and do spend many hours on-line immersed in this hobby. I am not limited to a handful of monthly magazines or speaking with my buddies to keep abreast of things.
It's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall the web has made the hobby better.
Regards, Rich