2. misc-audio
  3. 170419-10840

How to listen /audition at audio shows?

I’ve been to RMAF a few times and learned a lot. Great fun and I eventually bought quite a bit of gear that I heard there. Right now I am going to Capitol Audio show to try to audition several high-end streamers (Aurender, Lumin, Innous, 432 EVO, Grimm and Antipodes are on my list). My request is for advice on how to compare models that will, of course, be in different systems in different rooms, etc. We all know how limited listening is in hotel rooms and that it will always sound different in your house with your system, etc etc. Accepting that, what are some of the smart strategies you’ve found to compare components at an audio show? Wouldn’t it be great if I could get two of the streamer vendors to connect their units to the same system, say after hours ... Not likely I know but any other ideas, tips or strategies? thanks
mcmanus
havocman
350 posts
 
Audio Troy you want $8,000 for a shelving unit give your head a shake what a rip off
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
That's a good point there, when you know how to listen you can do it even over a YT video. When you don't then nothing ever will do, and so instead you spend your whole life thinking up excuses why you can't, or sometimes maybe childish put-downs, anything to avoid addressing the real issue: your own inadequacy.

Always easier to blame the other guy than take responsibility yourself, innit?
tvad's avatar
tvad
11,550 posts
 

Ever notice how someone will form an argument by twisting up some pretzel logic based on something that was never stated?

It’s called a straw man. And here, folks, we have a classic straw man; stating it was written in this thread that attending audio shows is a waste of time.

Do some work. Carefully read every post prior to the straw man. Find the post where someone wrote attending audio shows is a waste of time.

It will take a long time. Forever, in fact. Because, no one wrote it.

What was written, is that it’s impossible to separate out how one component affects the sound of an unfamiliar system at an audio show. Any logical audiophile knows this to be true.

So, let’s assume one has listened to six systems that include six different streamers. Of those six systems, three sound fantastic.

What is possible, is to conclude that a streamer in a system that sounds fantastic is contributing to that system’s fantastic sound, and perhaps it will contribute to fantastic sound at home.

Therefore, hearing systems at an audio show can be very helpful insofar as it leads to the next step in the evaluation process.

Hardly a waste of time.



sns
3,003 posts
 
+1 tvad, One simply can't account for so many variables.

And then we have listener state of mind, we are not in our usual at home listening mode, many distractions compete for attention, hard to disconnect from analytical mode.

On the other hand, shows give one exposure to new equipment. And the social aspects can be a positive, you may even be able to purchase a long desired component at discount through contacts at shows.

richopp
760 posts
 
@millercarbon So, how does it feel to be dumber than a sack of hair?

Your posts are laugh riots...everything you say is such BS. Do you sit around and make this up full time, or do you just do it in your sleep?
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