. Just curious, would you pay to listen to a $100k system? Say a one hour session for twenty bucks?
Assuming the room is great and you have vinyl and cd and your choice of solid state or tubes. Also assuming you'd have the best matched system that $100k could buy.
How much would you pay to hear a $200k system? No pressure or expectation to buy anything, just plunk down your twenty and enjoy the music. BYO drinks of course.
You're welcome to read anything you like into any question, just don't tell me how to respond.
I answered when I said that I paid to attend audio fests, like RMAF. There's no pressure to buy anything in that situation and the listener gets to hear a wide variety of systems, many costing much more than 100k.
"would you pay to audition a stereo system at a dealer's show room" ?
i have answered this question by saying that i would not because, i would rather pay a bit more and hear live music.
for those who entertain the posssibility that a stereo system can sound better than a live symphony orchestra is like saying a picture of a person is preferable to the person.
"the sound of a live concerts is so superior to that of any stereo system, that i will not pay to listen to a stereo system."
Sometimes it is...many times it isn't. That will depend hugely on the venue, where you sit/stand, how well the engineers have set things up, and the mood of the performers on that night. There are a ton of variables, just like in recorded music.
I've heard unbelievable concerts, and I've heard terrible ones. I'd gladly pay to listen to a really well recorded performance, instead of those crappy ones. :-)
"the sound of a live concerts is so superior to that of any stereo system, that i will not pay to listen to a stereo system."
If you've bought LP/CDs or any type of software and you play it on a system that you paid for, then you "pay" to listen to music on a stereo system.
Many people, not you I think, don't pay for their software, chosing instead to steal it. That's a moral issue that's, unfortunately in my opinion, more widespread than it probably should be.
For clarification: "Paid that dub" means one has provided financing for dialog editing in a film or audio recording. "Hundred thousand system moved" means the writer had mistakenly parked his used Bentley on the stage at the Hollywoood Bowl and hired a crane to remove it so the orchestra could perform.
Do what I did...having been a musician for many years I volunteered to help with the sound for a monthly "folkie" concert series in a town I moved to in 1999...this lead to my designing their system and then running it for 9 years (this also lead to doing other "soundman" gigs for PAY even...still do a few), until I moved away. It covered many bases: I got my "Gear Head Geek" on with the sweet pro gear, I heard and hung out with the BEST touring singer/songwriter/pickers I could imagine, and could sit there and be "Knob Turner" dialing in what I thought sounded best while recording everything. In Stereo...like I said...do that...it was as if I was stealing beauty.
Mrtennis, most of us pay for our recorded music; therefore, we pay to listen to recordings. If you don't pay, that's a moral decision that you've made, but I support musicians with payment in the hopes that they'll produce more great music that I can enjoy.
"There's nothing like the smell of napalm in the morning." If one doesn't understand this comment, then one doesn't understand the 'lust' that hopeless audiophiles (like me) experience when seeing a pair of the big boy MBL's, the big boy Sound Labs--the newest VAC Gear by Kevin Hayes. Most of us 'crazies' might entertain paying for the opportunity...some stores in New York and other metro areas, during the 'heat' of economic better times, DID, I am told charge for a session, the price of which, on purchase would be credited to that purchase. So...this is not a new concept in that regard...its just that, in the dark light, (hmmm that would simply be dark, right?) of the current economic reality, it seems out of place to think anyone would pay for this priv.
So, I'd have to say, 'if you have to ask', you're not a hopeless audiophile like some of us. lol
why would anyone pay to hear a recording ? it makes sense to pay for a concert, although some are free, but it seems ludicrous to pay to hear a recording, regardless of how good the sound is.
the human element is missing (nothing visual) when you listen to a stereo. the feeling of the audienece is missing. its an incomplete experience and while it is the next best thing to a concert, it is a distant second. if anything, the dealer should pay you to listen to his system.
I used to do that when I attended the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I paid to hear a number of different systems. Now I volunteer and attend for "free", except for the time I donate.
If a friend invited me to hear a fabulous system in their home, then I'd probably bring a bottle of wine or scotch.
I am a little late chiming in on this thread since a friend just told me about it yesterday. He felt I should jump on in since one of the systems highlighted in one of the posts as an example is mine.
I do have mixed feelings about this. Part of me feels that the only person that should pay to listen to a particular system is the owner that did so after painstakingly putting it together. We have all already payed prices just to listen to our own systems and in my book, that is enough.
Personally, I welcome anyone to come over and listen, because a big part of this hobby to me is the sharing and the community. I want to be able to share what I have learned so far and continue to learn from others. I would have stagnated out several times over had it not been for listening to other systems and to the suggestions from visitors to my room. There always seems to be a new adventure (an improvement) just around the corner.
I think I would question someones motives for wanting to charge somebody to listen to their system. It just seems so against my own involvement in this hobby. But, I suppose there are a few legit reasons for asking for money. The bottom line is that if I really wanted to listen to something, say far from home, and that was the only way it was going to happen, then yes I might do it.
The High End never had a clue how to market themselves to the Great Unwashed. The demise of so many "Audio Salons" proves that point and it's sad...instead of helping people see the virtue of beautiful music as self evident, they cater to the .1 of 1% of us who are compulsive hobbyists and sniff at the unsophisticated potential customer as unworthy af attention. People with no interest in audio gear per se hear my system and say, "wow...that sounds AMAZING" and I point out that it all cost me less than a decent swiss watch. Why don't the gear manufacturers buy adds in the NY Times? Because people are too stupid to get it?...although people buy a Mercedes or BMW and THAT marketing seems to make sense somehow.
lol...I'm glad my poking fun at the eccentricities of the audiophile community wasn't taken as insulting. If you can't laugh at yourself...you are taking life too seriously. :-)
I absolutely love music in all it's forms, and am always up for a new experience that will enrich my life. Paid or free. I'm grateful that high-end dealers take the time to let me listen to the amazing systems out there, but would gladly pay a fee to enjoy time with one, just like I do when I go to an IMAX.
I would never rent a Ferrari for a day, unless I could be assured that the seats were molded to my exact body, the tires had just a few thousand miles on them and were properly warmed, the suspension was setup for my exact driving tastes, the intake and exhaust were tuned to achieve the absolute perfect mix of torque and horsepower, it had exactly 12 gallons of 102 octane gasoline, all wiring was replaced with solid silver cables, the roads were free of all debris, cracks, litter, pebbles, other people, etc., the sun offered zero glare in my eyes, and the temperature was 67.5 degrees with 35% humidity, and a light wind out of the southwest.
It is preposterous to think that a Ferrari engineer, and retailer, could EVER put together a car that would perform as perfectly as my 1983 Mazda RX7 GS. Frankly, I’m offended that anyone would suggest that I ‘pay’ to drive that vehicle. The dealer should gladly give me the keys, so I can take it home and drive it at my leisure. After all, I need to see how it will look in my garage, and I can’t imagine renting it unless I ‘knew’ I was going to like it. I find it personally offensive that anyone would suggest I simply rent the car, enjoy the experience for what it is, and have a richer life for the experience. Harrumph!
lolÂ…where do you guys get the curmudgeon sized vat of starch for your underwear?
I wouldn't pay money to audition in the premise of paying money to listen to high end system. But as a form of entertainment it could work. People pay similar amount of money just to play billiard, watch movies or enter clubs. I wouldn't mind hanging out at an audio shop with my friends while having some wine and listening to music for a nominal fee.
I would not pay to listen to a system I can't afford. Although I've heard a 300 K $ system too, and was astounded.
But I would easily pay, even 200 $ for a unit that I could borrow for one day to listen in my own system. Especially one that I view as a possible upgrade.
Movie systems cost $200K? If true they are being ROBBED by installers...a first class full range live PA with flown array speakers and piles of amps, monitors, and mixers can be bought for less than that.
I've been amused by Audio Salon pretention for many years...in NYC and elsewhere. Ever get buttonholed by a Linn salesman? "Listen to the RHYTHM"...jeeze...and now in the local Audio Salon where I live they are rarely helpful about anything, and have, of course, absolute opinions coming out of their collective bums and have very little time to discuss anything, let alone have you listen to things...so I buy things here and Ebay.
On second thought, this seems like one heck of a way to write off the purchase of your system on your taxes. Create an LLC, purchase a system to put into a dedicatd room in your home and call it business startup costs.
Wouldn't feel right. Not a matter of rational economic calculation, just wouldn't feel right.
Marty
PS Karel, you peasant. Clos d'Ambonnay over Clos d'Mesnil! That swill is for nouveau-riche blanc de noir drinkers. Of course, if this scathing note has convinced you to dump you stash, I stand ready to buy it (at an appropriately steep discount).
That Jadis and Verdier based system catches my attention. I bet it is great with acoustic music and vocals. Yes, I would pay to hear it too if I could bring my own records; maybe even if I couldn't.
That's the key isn't it. If this system was put together in such a way, that it was widely touted by symphony conductors, well respected musicians and the audio elite as nonpareil, I would probably fork over. Otherwise, as Tvad suggested, $100,000 is no guarantee that it won't suck.
I live in Southern California and I have heard many expensive systems over the years. Most don't sound that great. I have been more Impressed with modest systems that were matched properly.
Wasn't Sound By Singer in Manhattan charging sustomers $100 for demos? The money was reportedly credited towards whatever they purchased, if they purchased anything.
Never cared for the staff in that place. I've been there 4 times, and never had a single salesman say a word to me.
I would sure feel bad for the guy who spent that kind of dough to end up making $20/hr. You have to assume that these would be "private" sessions, as I wouldn't want to pay to sit in on your choice of music (nothing personal), so the proprietor would be capping out at $20/hr.
There's a sort of creep factor to it as well. I see images of the old Times Square venues. You know-- disheveled musical deviants feeding 20 dollar bills to the machine; the steel door slides up; the music begins to play.
On another note, just ponying up the money would put a damper on things, at least for me. That $150K system I mentioned might not sound so good had I paid $20 every time I've heard it. I'd be in for a C note by now and that alone would eat at me. Having said that, it is one damn fine system that I've not heard bettered at any audio show (not that I've been to many) or at anyone's home (same caveat as before). It simply sounds so good that trying to analyze it would be a waste of one's time. After hearing his system, mine comes down that ladder of abstraction a few rungs, comparatively, but after a song or two, all is well. Is it worth the extra $145K? No. Could I get closer but at a saner price? Maybe.
Call me jaded but I doubt any system can make my "jaw drop" anymore. And besides, their are a few dealers in town that display super hi-end systems. All I have to do is walk in and pop on some music, at least that has been working. Unfortunately, they are teeming with customers.
I'd pay to hear a system I may consider buying now or in the future, or even if it had one key component that I'd consider. The cost of the entire set-up is irrelevant.
I would. It would be great to hear a kilobuck system properly set up at its best. Of course, it probably wouldn't sound that good, because I have preconcieved notions (hey, isn't that what it is all about)? I doubt a 100K stereo could sound that much "better" than a 20K system- Remember , we are listing to prerecorded music that has its limits, Lets say you get the best record from the best guitarist- that is as good as it will ever get- and yet the recording still has its limits. At some point you have to run up against the limits of the recording and a system can never sound better than that at any cost.
I must spend at least $50 for gas to get to the nearest dealer with any high end gear worthy of mention, and they have open houses all the time with the likes of Wilson, Ayre,Spectral etc. and I never go, even with an invationtion. I could listen to any product by the above any time.
I have an untrained palate but still enjoy good food. Cost forbids me from indulging except when there's a coupon.
I think the fee at a hi-end shop would be simply to dissuade the lookie-lou types. That may work against these stores, long run. I heard some real good stuff a long time ago which while I was ignored in the store (obvious broke kid) was still pretty neat and sort of made me set my course to eventually have some nice stuff. If I had to pay....even 5$ for 'entry' I'd not have done it.
Also, doesn't selling a ticket change some of the legal relationships?
Do the math. 5000 hours at $20/hr just to pay for the equipemnt. What about the cost of staffing, rent/mortgage for the location, electricity and other overhead. realistically, would would have to charge somewhere in the $60-$80 range. Assuming you're open 8 hours/day and you where totally booked solid, it would still take about three years to break even. More likely, it would take five plus years to break even and by that time you would need to update the equipemnt.
Most people regard music as a distraction; something to fill in the background while doing something else. Very few people these days actually sit down just to listen. Audiophiles make up a very, very small minority of the population. Also, there's a subset of "audiophiles" that just have equipment envy and couldn't hear the difference between a $1500 system and a $150,000 system. Remember it's takes a trained ear as well as a fat wallet.
No, I think you would have sell the equipment after a period of time to buy new and better equipment. Hold on, I think you just opened up a high end audio showroom and store.
I'm a classically trained Chef, with a trained palate, and I enjoy fine dining. However, it's very rare that I go out for a $125 Burger with Pomme Frites.
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