Can anyone explain why high end audio seems to be forever stuck as a cottage industry? Why do my rich friends who absolutely have to have the BEST of everything and wouldn't be caught dead without expensive clothes, watch, car, home, furniture etc. settle for cheap mass produced components stuck away in a closet somewhere? I can hardly afford to go out to dinner, but I wouldn't dream of spending any less on audio or music.
I think that sometimes people are also intimidated by the good systems they hear / see. They recognize the quality of what they're listening to, but believe that to get much better sound that the boom box they have, they're going to fall prey to spending thousands more than they want to. I find myself constantly reassuring my friends who are kind of interested that they don't have to spend what I spent or become as fascinated by it as I have to get much better sound. I was out looking at big-screen TVs with one such friend and went into the speaker demo room. They had selectable CDs and speakers to choose from, so I put on Diana Krall's latest over some inexpensive speakers - it still blew him away, but it seemed achievable so I think it's more likely to stick. We moved down a couple rooms (up in price) and played the same song and he heard an even (much) better rendition, so I think he began to see that you don't have to spend a fortune, but that the more you spend, the better it gets. The key is to demonstrate that you can get a lot better sound for an amount of money that pales in comparison to what people spend on many other things, and that it can be simpler than the huge stacks many of us have built.
I find it amazing, too, how many people don't find music to be an important component in their life. Many were fanatics when they were young and have lost all zeal - I don't understand why. -Kirk
Good points, KT. When I have fairly naive (aka Bose or boom box) listeners over, I usually play music through my HT system (Paradigm/Parasound) rather than my music system (JMLab Utopia/Belles/Rega). I do this for two reasons. First, the warmish, somewhat colored sound of the HT system is more inviting and friendly to the inexperienced listener whereas their initial experience of the music system may be that it is cool and analytical. Which it is, of course; that's why I chose it. Also, the price of the HT system seems much more do-able than the price of the music system which, while not very high by High End standards, seems totally absurd to beginners.
By all means play the music THEY like, not the music YOU like. Volunteer to go with them to shops, not just to help with the listening but to ease the interface with arrogant, know-it-all salespersons....
And for goodness sake, show them that this hobby is supposed to be FUN. I.e. keep them away from your audio-is-my-whole-life friends until they have built up some antibodies.
1. Some people don't really love music (as much as they even think they might).
2. It does take a while to gain a critical ear.
3....and most important...I have many people who work for me in a demanding capacity with which some very talented people float to the top ("the cream") in many an attribute. Perhaps coincidence, but after some years of intimate dinner parties (I'm NOT rich by the way!) or holiday parties, ironically I find that the ones who are very talented also appreciate my system much more than others. (Yeah, yeah, yeah, they're not kiss asses either..) So pat yourselves on the back! You are the chosen ones! (yes I jest, but I have in fact observed this phenomenon...)
I think the original premise is wrong. Most people really don't like music. I leave in evidence just one observation. How may people do you invite to listen to music who actually sit and listen without wanting to talk about 30 seconds into the first band? For most Americans music is background soundtrack to their life and parties. Unfortunately some of the must talk crowd are audiophiles whating to praise or criticise the sound of the stereo.
On an independent issue...audio has very little positive feedback. Any friend or stray person off the street will glaze over when I tell them I own Krell or Sonic Frontiers or B&W or Thiel or Levinson etc etc. Now if I mention Aiwa or Sony or Toshiba now we are talking. So the pride of ownership has nothing to do with the previous discussions about Porshe etc. Everyone knows if you own Porshe you got good car taste and lots of money..Krell? You don't get girls with Krell.
Keis, I agree with both your points but especially your first. Many people who love music and go to live performances at every opportunity simply don't regularly listen to music at home. My wife and I play music all the time! Maybe it's a "chicken or egg" and people would listen more if their sound was better ... personally, I think that the majority of people simply don't want music as a priority in their lives. For those who do, only a portion will take the time to sift through the hype and audition great equipment.
Your last sentence is also a killer though: "You don't get girls (or guys) with Krell".
Well guys, it's almost midnight and my South American 'amiga' is lying on the couch in the living room with the lights out just listening to a Simon and Garfunkel CD I left playing on my Swans speakers at a low volume level....she's been listening all night to music--and just loves it.
You have to love music - not audio. If you want your music to sound as good as possible, then you want the best reproduction equipment you can afford. If you don't really care about music - why would you care about the equipment?
People are generally not exposed to high end audio, there are so few high end salons. When and if they come across a high end audio salon, they are confused about the gear and really do not have any idea what they are looking for. Let alone, their ears are not educated to the finer details of audio listening. Sometimes they are attracted by the marketing appeal of a mainstream distributor or manufacturer, which may not necessarily sell a good product (for the sake of staying out of trouble, I will not mention any particular manufacturer or brand).
Many have not heard a good 2-channel system and have curiosity in multi-channel systems, caused by the recent mainstream hype stemmed from Home Theatre. When you think about it, people frequent movie theatres and they desire to duplicate that experience through Home Theatre.
It takes considerable effort, experience, and expense to develop a good high end hoem audio system. Many do not have the time to putforth that effort and as we all know, there are few shortcuts. When you finally get their attention, they must deal with WAF (Wife Acceptance factor). Have you noticed that there are few women in this cottage high end audio industry? That is not the same in Home Theatre, if you don't believe me, just visit Circuit City's DVD department and see the many women shopping for DVD movies.
A few reasons: 1. Things like the $20,000 dollar IC's specially blessed by a "spherically correct" monk in China. On the 7th day of the 7th month etc etc.....
2. High End salesman.
3. Little green pens and CD's.
4. Tice clocks.
5. Shun-ANYTHING
6. The fact that most "audiophiles" are NEVER happy with thier sound. I mean, why would you want to get into something that you spent more time tweaking than listening??
..Was trying to remember the time before I ate the pill and finally heard the "audio matrix". I remember looking at classifieds for some good audio components and encountering strange brands that meant nothing to me for ridiculus prices. The thing that put me off the most was not knowing if these components were really worth these prices, and, if these prices represented the top of the line, if there was any reasonably priced gear of quality. Then I started listening. And I mean REALLY listening, cause actually I'm never really as blown away in an Audio Salon as I am at home, maybe because I'm not relaxing, etc. but it's just not the same. You just can't listen in the same way. I've noticed this with friends. If I sit them down to listen to my system, I can tell they're just not going to take the time / not comfortable enough to really get it. I believe that if I could bring my system over to their place, set it up and leave it for a month, they will understand. Today I'm admittedly cursed with audiophilia (It's the knowing that it can sound even better that gets you..), but have a healthy attitude that if I can afford a Mercedes, I can afford Mark Levinson, if I can afford $5k used car, I can afford $1k used Creek. (Or a $1,500 used Rogue Tempest, if the truth be known..) But it's still those moments when I'm sucked into an emotional performance in a way that could not have happened through Dr. Bose that makes me want to share the disease..
They are fooled by some other 'trend'. Few of us are allowed to be fooled by the industry (that includes magazines such as Stereophile, that sole purpose is to fuel the addiction) that is profiting by selling us illusion.
There must be a thousand ways to approach this topic but I think you all would be best served to leave well enough alone. I remember the insurgence of yuppie money and ignorance in the Reagan years and I think that the ravages have yet to leave us. When I was in the Oriental rug business back then an elderly Afghani trader told me of a saying in his country: "Those who can afford it can't appreciate it and those who can appreciate it can't afford it". So it is with most things and twas always thus. Audio people are like most religious zealots in that they are quite disturbed by the fact that most people seem unwilling to adopt their beliefs. We pity them for what they are missing and dismiss their choice not to embrace our values as one of ignorance. They aren't interested and you should be glad. During the years I sold audio in retail stores I maintained the same beliefs that many of you espouse here but the simple fact is many people just don't care. Some can make a distinction and some can't but no amount of education is going to be enough. Their focus is elsewhere. And that is good. Audio is populated by far to many buffoons at present, as is well documented by the insipid, irrational, misspelled and unpunctuated reponses I inadvertently invite by posting any ad. A small community made strong by unity of vision and co-operation in purpose is a better goal. Suppose we do some weeding rather than blanket seeding. It's the money issue that seems most corruptive. Why don't we all relax and focus on what we have rather than what we might be missing?
Hm, sounds like some of the stuff I wrote at various times. My credo: set a budget, buy the best sounding equipment you can within that budget and then sit down to some tunes. May I add another point: hope you win the lotto or come into an inheritance from an unlikely source. Good day.
Most of my friends that come over think my system sounds great. But they can't or won't justify spending the 5k msrp i did. Even though i could make them very happy spending much less. Maybe someday one of my friends will catch on to this. But until then i'll just have to keep trying new stuff and reading about your setups. Also on my age 35 and under being dumded up. I agree, i used to listen to crap. Now i find myself buying more jazz. But i also listen to the system more than the music sometimes. Just a thought.
Tommy, you are not alone. There has been a lot of discussion here about critical listening vs. pure enjoyment of the music (btw, they are not necessarily separable). There's nothing wrong with appreciating the quality of your system and enjoying the music even more because it is well reproduced. Enjoy.
The number one reason is lack of exposure. Even without all the ear-training, many high end systems are dynamite to listen to at first hearing, musical as can be and fabulous, fabulous imaging. But where in a normal lifetime does a non-cognoscente get to hear such things? Most people have no idea what can be done with sound.
HONESTLY if I knew it was like this, I wouldnt hoop in this hobby either. Too late now, worse than smoking! Nicotine = Soundstage, Tar = Tonal Body, Carbon Monoxide = Money (keep Exhaling ....)
Also convenience. Very few people are willing to put speakers out into the room. Most people don't want tuner / transport / dac / preamp / amp / speaker with all the wires and interconnects as well. I see posts regularly for people wanting speakers that can be put against the wall. Or for an audiophile grade receiver only to be told it can't be done this way if you want hi-end sound. and it's true - too bad. So maybe some active Tannoy, Mackie, or ATC monitors and a source with volume control would go a long way in solving the convenience issue while still having good sound.
The audio industry has created a very toxic, noncredible environment with hyped, overpriced, gimicky equipment. The more high-end the audio store, the more pompous and arrogant the salesman...do audiophiles really like quality sound or knowing that there equipment is the newest and best? hmm...
Yeah, the doctor is right. Music is a distant second to expensive equipment in a two horse race, when all is said and done in the audiophile kingdom. Hang around, you will see arguments in a criss-cross pattern concerning: music/equipment/music/equipment/musicality/equipment/accuracy/equipment/price/equipment/golden ears/equipment/tin ears/equipment/state-of-the-art/equipment/emotional response/equipment/love/equipment and last but not least, gotta upgrade, I've had this equipment for over two months now. Love is just a kiss away, it's just a shot away!
Thedoctor said it better than I've ever heard. People here won't believe this but I spent a day in NYC listening to some of the finest stereo in existance and the best IMHO was a Monitor Audio Bronze 1 on a Marantz receiver. Why?
Good tonality that matched my taste.
If a stereo is over etched, searingly bright, boomy bass that feels like a pounding headache, or whatever that grates on my taste I could care less how much it costs or how good the sound is in other ways. If a stereo can't just play tunes, what good is it?
Great thread! I think the wording of the original question was skewed towards Why is Audio Not a Status Symbol, but the header poses a different question - Why Don't More People Love Audio?
The questions are bound to have quite different answers. With regard to the first question, if speaking of status symbols -- it seems we are --, then I think we're moving in the territory of conspicuous consumption. IF audio (gear) is not a status symbol, then so because it can't be driven around the block like flashy wheels, draped on the back of your chair like bespoke threads - neither worn on your wrist like a well-built watch nor on your arm like a comely, well-built or flashy wench. Conspicuity (sp?) is in large part about ostentation. Os-tendere means literally to hold out, to show. What's at home cannot be seen, is insufficiently conspicuous for the status-seeking. For those mainly out and about, audio is an unattractive venue, too homely. For those whose social lives are more centered on the at-home, audio is fair game for more vicarious display. I do contend that audio IS a status symbol, just -- for a variety of reasons -- not so obviously so like other things.
(Coiner of "conspicuous consumption": Thorstein Veblen, http://www.socsci.mcmaster.ca/~econ/ugcm/3ll3/veblen/ see esp. The Theory of the Leisure Class - with milk and cookies some late eve makes for a nice audiogoner nightcap)
With regard to the second question, while I agree with many posting that not everyone loves audio, I have yet to meet anyone who would contend that Nietzsche in opining a life without music is not a life at all, got it completely wrong. Most everyone appreciates music to some degree. He just may not have a well-developed ear or musical taste.
I think the second question is not about why people don't love audio, but concerns rather why people don't have musical taste. To explain this odd phenomena, I would agree with many of the posts - well, it's a sign of the times, it's a Zeitgeist thing, no time, etc. Veblen: No leisure class. (It seems the views of old money -- the old leisure class -- and new money are converging: money is something that should be studied and seriously pursued, like a career or genuine work. It's no longer something whose main purpose is to allow one to spend life pursuing useless things -- philology, oenology, musicology or other diversions -- that have no bottom line.)
IMO the phenomenon is related to the phenomenon why most do not have a good eye for art, that is, have an underdeveloped appreciation for the visual. I don't think they are to blame anymore than anyone is to be held responsible for not being of astonishing pulchritude. As we know, the all-important key to physical beauty is to select your parents wisely. To a significant, but by no means equal, extent, the same goes for the aural and visual. Lack of EARLY exposure and at least some early training of ear and eye do leave their mark. We know for example that tabus and tastebuds are programmed early -- very early -- in life. In a similar vein, it is unlikely that anyone who has never been taken, dragged?, to exhibitions, concerts and so on early on, without similar experiential access, will butterfly to become artist or musician. Unlikely, not impossible. This is why I admire the likes of Lngbruno and others who provide their friends and cohorts with audiophilic and other forms of leisurely acculturation. Belated it may be, but music is, thankfully, unlike our proportions, less a matter of nature than of nurture.
Frasier - "A well-meaning, but egotistical, radio psychiatrist devotes most of his energy to solving the problems of those around him, while managing to create most of the problems that plague his own life [...] Frasier is a good man. His heart is in the right place. [...] But he's also a bit of a boob. Pompous, long-winded, self-important, snobbish " Point well taken Doc. So difficult to be cool rather than boorish for some though.
Can you imagine the amount of time and hard work that audiophiles put into ,listening, tweaking, auditioning, selecting, upgrading, comparing and start all over again? If we had spent that much time trying to make money we all would be much richer than we are today! But, then, we would not know what audio gear to buy.
No regrets having spent all the time doing what I mentioned in my first paragraph. Its has made my life fun to live!
I have a few friends who are very rich and have come over to listen to my humble setup, they actually spent a lot more on their audio gear but not able to enjoy it. Money can buy good quality HIFI but but it cannot produce good sound on its own. Even after spending a lot of it you still need to put in your effort to make it sound right.
Its an art and science at the same time and not many people understand it well. I am still trying to understand it after spending good 30 years into this hobby.
It's an art.. An art of perfection for many audiophiles. With art, not everyone's going to like it - nor have the ear for it.
Then again like many before me.. you can't take your (let's say $70k) audio system around to show-off. It's an internal thing, a natural state of high that people seek out (at all costs!)
Some people are more tuned towards other things/hobbies for their own motives. For me, I can't live without my high-end audiophile reproduction ability.. It's a choice. I'll no longer exist without music.
Either you love it or ya don't...different people's brains are wired differently. Those that emit endorphins while listening to 'beautiful' music become audiophiles. To others the TV does more for them....
The equation between high-end audio equipment and loving music is absurd. No more, no less. Many people love music, a good number even make music for a living, and don't give a fiddler's fart about high-end audio equipment. Many people with a mega bucks system wouldn't know a flatted fifth from a whole in the wall. Try again. Good day.
Because for one its a geek oriented hobby. To see grown men fretting over whether something is 99.99998% or 99.9999999% pure copper or imaging or room tuning or the thousands of tweaky overpriced doo-dads we get shoved down our throat is disturbing at worse and silly at the least. The average person wants to put on music enjoy it and get on with his life. I think we glom to much on the messenger and not enough on the message. Plus the prices in high end and even upper mid fi audio border on ridiculous. To have someone say that a $8,000 cable is a bargain must have our non audiophile friends going " hey not only is he audio geeky he's dumb if he believes that stuff." I know we all have been to a friends house where he or she spent so much time making sure the system was performing to its optimum for the listening session that by the time they were done it was time to go. Nothing wrong with making a bourbon and coke, kicking back, turning the music on and just emjoying the it. I really love audio and love good equipment. What I dont like is overblown prices and elitist audio geeks. In fact the tone of the original letter kinda harkens to that. "why arent there more non audio low lifes who have seen the light an become sacrosant and sanctamonious like us audiophiles" I think what it is there are a lot of more people that love music and could care less whether it was played on a $100,000 system or a car radio. Just think of the number of concerts you could go to for $100,000. The enjoyment should be the music not the equipment.
All hobbies which take on the characteristics you describe can seem ridiculous. What I can't take is the guy who asks "Who would pay $125,000 on speakers", inferring that it is crazy, while in the same breath asking you, "By the way how do you like my new $25K Rolex?" The audio obsession like most others is simply an outlet for people to act out their fantasy. Some people dream of being like Ansel Adams, spending their hard earned money on camera equipment. So what. Life is short. Enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy. If it doesn't harm anyone else why bother to critique it? I have sold $200K systems, and the people who buy them have the two ingredients necessary for any expensive hobby: Money and motivation. It seems that it takes someone really jealous finds the time to be so critical. I don't want a Ferrari now, but give me several million dollars and my reference points of material desires would probably shift dramatically. lrsky
Charker, where have you been all these years? I get pounced on, trampled, kicked, bashed, etc (only in writing I am pleased to say, although I have had threaths of physical harm) for uttering pronouncements like yours, albeit I sometimes get carried away. Stick around long enough and you may get carried away too! Another case of audio sanity breaking out on the 'Gon! Wonderful! Good day.
In thedoctor's camp, the brick & mortar dealers are brutally intimidating to those who want to learn the hobby before shelling out 5 figures for a system. I decided to start a relationship with my closest local dealer and they wanted to charge me a 50% markup on a YBA Integre, now they are giving me a hard time about fixing a Creek a friend passed down to me (I am out of work at the moment). Little wonder women don't flock to the high end. Maybe the predator phenomenon exists because I am in affluent WashDC, but now I have more respect, admiration & confidence in the Audiogon community than ever. The dealers just don't get it, that lifelong customers will spend more money in the long run than 1-time victims. Audio's worst enemy is among us.
Thanks PBB nice to know there are some level heads on gon. Next week im going to post this question "what things in your life (intra and extra personal) are suffering because you spend so much time and money on audio"
I think it's partially the power of designer's of audio manufacturers. Big corporations of Japan have sold to our eyes and not to our ear - knowing that vast majority of the population cannot even distinguish the difference in CD player's sounds. Even the consumer report said all the cd players sound alike - they are all good, so buy any one. While this move makes business sense, I wish it were different - I wish all the people would buy at least quality mid-fi like NAD, Parasound, Cambridge Audio, and Japan's Rotel.
Since I was critical of Japan's business practices, to be fair I should say something nice about them also to be fair - they have brought down the price of quality. Denon-mission exec. systems sound pretty musical, and looks classy, with sleep and waking up features. Kenwood mini system sound pretty musical for the money as well. Sony also is offering better sounding executive systems recently in upscale models only. They are sounding better each year for about the same price. So, thanks for making quality affordable and beautiful, Japan.
In Europe and Canada, more people do love audio than in US. We can learn from them on this matter. I think we audio lovers have the key to the land of beauty and happiness - sonic nirvanah some call it. Let's share this precious gift with our friends, and our children especially who cannot afford it otherwise. You heard of the Mozart effect - it promotes intellectual deveopment as well.
I wish Japanese corporations would improve all the shelf systems, as they have with their executive systems -They hurt my ears. Music hath powers to sooth our breast - brain research show measure-able positive effects as well, and all the shelf systems are an opportunity lost. Anyone in the industry, please ask them to send us better sounding shelf systems! With china's low wages these days, it should be possible to build better sounding ones for a little more money.
Denon-mission mini systems is musical sounding - we should give at least this quality to our children.
Let's come to know quality in life, rather than what they look like on the outside. Just as we audio lovers ponder why not more people enjoy this hobby, I wonder if other's also ask this question. It's heavenly to ponder, "what other joys await us, with a bit of commitment?"
From my experience, when an average person hears a quality audio, they react positively to it, but are turned off by the prohibitive cost, and by our constant upgrade bug. Let's learn to assemble an affordable mid-fi system, that can deliver musical non-fatiguing sound, incase our friends ask for it. Spread this joy, but not our bug.
The sincerity of this post is a tad suspect methinks. Audiophilia is largely an elitist hobby. The prices of gear dictate that someone not in the higher income bracket can't play this game. The unenlightened vast majority of music listeners are happy with an mp3 downloaded cd in their ipod or car radio. Ferrari's , Rolexes and Wilson speakers cater to the same elevate-ourselves-from -the common man mentality. In my younger wilder days I was reliant on outside stimuli to enhance my musical sensibilities. Now that I've "grown up" ,I've found that audiophilia is the only way to satisfactorily enhance music to the same level that formerly involved my risking chromosome damage.
Gonglee3, Sony bought out Aiwa. Maybe this will help Sony's poor sound quality. Aiwa has had good sound quality for the dollar but poor quality. Naw, Sony just bought Aiwa to eliminate their products because their stuff sounded better. Interesting fact about Japanese philosphy is they make their product names to be recognizable when read frontwards or in reverse. Aiwa = Awia / Toyota = Atoyot / Nissan = Nassin for example.
I spend what I can on audio equipment (and software) for no other reason than the love of music. My system is only mid-fi (Low end rega, nad, mirage, and a sony cd player) thet being all I can afford. If one has no love for music then it would be wasful to spend money on a stero of high quality. That said, I cannot recall who said that all art tends towands the form of music (sugesting that music is the highest art but I agree. I can detect faults in my system even now (im listing to Chopin), but, as it has been said this is not a hobby for the poor (or for students like me). I am truly sorry for those who cannot afford a good (even as good as mine) system, but have truly good ears, and almot envy a freind who loves music but cannot hear the difrence between a poor system and a good one- he injoys poor systems greatly, and that is an enviable position.
Seems like most of my freinds could care less if they listen to music on a clock radio,200$ System,cheap car stereo,they think Im nuts to spend the money I do.
Because too many people don't know what to do with their eyes when listening to Audio....Raised on too much T.V. perhaps. I suspect that this was not a problem with the Radio generation. They knew how to listen when there was nothing to watch.
Great question, and I'm not sure why either. I have observed people at my house as they look at and/or listen to my system. I think that most people simply don't care or don't think there is an audible difference between high end and mass market. There are some that can tell the difference, but are intimidated by the complexity or cost. Some (often women) don't want to deal with the integrating something like this into their decor. In the 20 years I've been into the hobby, there's only been one person out of so many that came to my house and was impressed enough by my sound to buy an audiophile grade system of their own.
It takes some type of mentoring for the uninitiated on the benefits of spending a little more to get something unimaginable, and the cottage industry continues to fill that growing void left by the larger high end companies.
Service to the customer is the key but without the newbie hearing a top-flight system playing their familiar tunes, is it any wonder most people find this hobby a turn off?
Another phenomenon I take note of is what happens when someone new to all this listens to great sound. It puts them to sleep. It must be mentally fatiguing to process all the additional information one hears. Interesting. So, there is some mentoring needed on why one feels that way. It takes time to get beyond that and just allow the music to take over. That requires a real commitment. .
As several have mentioned, the number one reason that people treat their audio systems like appliances is lack of exposure to a great system. No music lover goes away from hearing a great system unchanged. Most want to have some modicum of that for themselves once they are aware of its existence. The next problem is finding the stuff to buy. Great dealers are few and far between, and without their help the learning curve is very steep for the uninitiated.
I've thought about this before too. Here are the reasons I came up with:
1) The kind of music that favors high end, hifi gear is enjoyed by an ever more miniscule part of the population. People in the US just don't spend much time listening to Jazz and Classical music anymore. The most popular types of music - pop, rock and rap is reproduced better on non-audiophile systems.
2) Music itself is not as exciting anymore. In the 70's in my lower income beach neighborhood, it wasn't hard to find people living in an 800 sq ft shack on the beach on welfare with $20K stereo systems. The music was so good and exciting at the time, it was the supreme entertainment all by itself.
3) Home Theater is more entertaining and sociable than music listening. During the 70's, all you needed was good weed and good tunes and you had yourself a party. There's something about weed and music that went so well together.
4) High end audio turned into a raquet somewhere along the line. If all you want is the best sounding stereo gear for your money and you're tired of your Kenwood, you're treated to very unwholistic systems that sound amazingly good in one or two areas and deficient in others.
You're put on a continuous and ridiculously expensive treadmill of tweaks and upgrades until things just sound right overall. By that time they sound fantastic, but you would have settled for just "right" about $40K ago.
5) Similar to 4, the complexity you're introduced to just to get quality stereo sound is monstrous. You need expensive cables (but who knows how they'll sound in your system), power conditioners (but who knows how they'll sound in your system), better power cords, a DAC, preamp, amp, sub, source, room treatments, all with uncertain outcomes until they have the right mystical synergy. WAIT A MINUTE!!!!
All I wanted was a good sounding stereo. It shouldn't have to be this hard or this expensive. Ahh, but it is.
Well, IMO high end audio won't compete until the complexity is gone. The complexity just creeped in step by step until it's now choking the industry to death by being ridiculously daunting for the consumer.
What will save the stereo business? Digital Technology. Now that there are digital amps, all components can be connected fiber-optically and made in a much smaller form factor. Give em 3 or 4 small components with a single standardized cable connection to each that puts out dynamite sound, and you'll see people enjoy the music listening experience again.
Oh yeah, and some exciting new music to come along wouldn't hurt things either.
Most people don't know that high end audio exists. Seriously, to them top of the line is something from Wally world, Best buy (Bose), Target. However, that doesn't mean they don't love audio. Most people love music, they just either can't afford or are satisfied (don't know any better)with mid-fi.
A decent mid-fi set-up doesn't sound bad. You can enjoy the music. Only a minority want the best whether it's audio, food, or microbrew beer.
I don't believe it needs to be that complicated to get good sound. For $3-5 grand you can get a pretty darn good sounding system. You just need $2K, for speakers, $500 for a cd player, then $500 to $2500 for a amp/pre-amp or some combination thereof. There is no need to ever go further, forget about exotic cords, conditioners, etc.
That doesn't mean you can't get better sound with all the extra's, just you can do well without it too. Audiophiles just aren't satisfied with good sound, we want trancendent, miraculous. Yet, even among Audiogoners there is a wide variation in what type of system we need to be satisfied.
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