Audiphile Press: Am I jaded, experienced, or has it declined?

Excellent points, as above. I miss Audio Magazine and Stereo Review. Many of the "greats" in Audio press are gone or retired.

Happy Listening!

sns

Seems audience for the rags is not audiogon posters. I wonder what their circulation numbers are these days, how it compares to other times.

Stereophile reports circulation of 70,000 - that's a pretty strong number.

@cleeds Very good info. Everything aligns with what I expected, with one major exception. Average cost of audio system at only $18K, wow, that's really surprising to me! Seems this is aspirational read for many, I assumed readers already there. But then they only expect to spend $1600 in coming twelve months! So this seems to say this not aspirational for many, rather pure fantasy.

Guess this shouldn't be totally surprising, I've long ingested auto, motorcycle media with reviews of products I have no intention or means to purchase. Still, far more interesting when one gets to point in life where they can afford one of these products, In my case Audi RSTT, RS3, Porsche 718 Cayman GTS. Dreams can come true on rare occasion.

I still read it for the music reviews at the back. They're the first things I turn to. 

"Am I jaded, experienced, or has it declined?"

*L*  All 3, I'd think....but I'll hold off on a final analysis until an 'office visit' IRL.... ;)

Long ago (71 and 'rising'...*meh*😏*), I too would plow thru the mags, pics, verbage, seeking that would raise interest both mentally, emotionally, and financially.

There came a time when The Pursuit had to be put on pause for awhile, but interest continued as a mere observer/listener; some would claim 'absurd-er', but they can continue to 'slaves to the rhythm' in their own means and methods....

In the interval, the glowing adjectives, verbs, and the pics got glossier as the $'s rose as well.  When the choice btwn an amp and rent or a car became a bit blurred, but the specs only grew to the right of the decimal point (beyond which I couldn't discern a rational/reasonable difference....except in ones' choice of speaker/radiator....of course)....

I opted out.

I'm reasonably happy with the items I've amassed to 'feed the dragon'; it's 'black' enough on standby, 'clear & clean' to allow noting the differences in the mixes, the age of a recording within it's medium, and loud enough to drown out any doubts. *G*

The biggest issue is the space it's in, but have the means of overcome it to some degree.  Learned that trick long ago... ;)

Done for a pittance in contrast. *S*

If there's anything that catches the eye & mind for the ears (not a lot does), I've learned Patience.

Eventually, 'it' will show up used.

I let y'all be the 'reviewers', as there's a lot more varied ears involved with a greater degree of opinions yay 'n nay.  No paper to be recycled, no subscriptions involved, levels of interest and commitment not concerned with circulations and sales....

I thank all of you....and wish y'all well in Your pursuits.

Please do carry on. *S*