I dunno. I recall a guy in Marin County, had a hell of a lot of money. Happened to have a minature railroad, was obssesed with military gear, had a tank. Also built a room for an organ, with a proper acoustic, so it was a site for recording. That's how I knew about it
You think about how much the Sun King blew on sets and scenery at Versailles, but he also paid a lot a musicians, including François Couperin and Marin Marais. I guess if it's the difference between a $700 and a $20,000 DAC, both performing at the same level, or with the cheaper one performing better, pointing out that info serves a public service. But if they're already into tubes and turntables, best to write it off as a lost cause. I never saw the value of that minature reailroad, but that guy spent a lot more money on that [had tracks for miles] than on the music room with the pipe organ. Somebody who's already commited to spending too much money on records and tubes isn't about to listen to someone like me. They'l probably listen to someone like Jim Austin or Jeff Dorgay. A lot of this is selling "High-End Audio" as lifestyle, where measurements don't count.
Just accept, you're not buying for the same reason these people are. They're buying into a proposal, a brand, an ownership experience, its veblen goods, not healthcare.
They're buying into a proposal, a brand, an ownership experience, its veblen goods, not healthcare.
I dont know anyone with a 100k set up who says it sounds shit but they bought it because someone said they should. Do you?
People who buy 50k hifi don't care about how it measures, that's not what they are buying. The assumption many on this forum seem to be working on is that print media holds sway over measurement obsessed buyers. It absolutely doesn't.
Just accept that what you/we want isnt the same as what they want. If people only bought on measurements there would be no print media and only ASR and Hydrogen Audio on the Web.
They want, status, adoration, acceptance and a bunch of other stuff that has no effect on the music signal, but plenty on their enjoyment of it.
Youre not saving anyone from themselves, they don't want saving, youre just being a zealot.
No one with a Kondo setup gives a rats ass about measurement. They want mysticism, glowing valves, camera quality fit and finish and a badge. Their just as capable of using their ears as we are and no more likely to buy stuff they think sounds shit than we are.
I dont know anyone with a 100k set up who says it sounds shit but they bought it because someone said they should. Do you?
People who buy 50k hifi don't care about how it measures, that's not what they are buying. The assumption many on this forum seem to be working on is that print media holds sway over measurement obsessed buyers. It absolutely doesn't.
Just accept that what you/we want isnt the same as what they want. If people only bought on measurements there would be no print media and only ASR and Hydrogen Audio on the Web.
They want, status, adoration, acceptance and a bunch of other stuff that has no effect on the music signal, but plenty on their enjoyment of it.
Youre not saving anyone from themselves, they don't want saving, youre just being a zealot.
No one with a Kondo setup gives a rats ass about measurement. They want mysticism, glowing valves, camera quality fit and finish and a badge. Their just as capable of using their ears as we are and no more likely to buy stuff they think sounds shit than we are.
I dont know anyone with a 100k set up who says it sounds shit but they bought it because someone said they should. Do you?
I think most people who buy $20k amps can afford them, so no one is harmed.No one is harmed by spending $20K on an amp because of the poetry written in said "review?" Did that money grow on trees and could not have been put toward a more legitimate use?
I think most people who buy $20k amps can afford them, so no one is harmed.
Amir, if I remember correctly, your own hi-fi system is not cheap either. Knowing that the same level of performance could have been achieved with far less money, why don’t you downgrade and put the excess cash toward a more legitimate use? I’m genuinely curious.
Right, those Revel speakers aren’t cheap. But if I remember correctly Amir’s setup also includes Mark Levinson DAC / amp.
We have a lot of super wealthy clients at Madrona. I can assure you though that few read stereophile. They usually have a representative that may do some surveying of what is out there but the don't frequent magazines and such. They usually rely on high-end dealers to assure them what is "best" and they just buy it.I dunno. I recall a guy in Marin County, had a hell of a lot of money. Happened to have a minature railroad, was obssesed with military gear, had a tank. Also built a room for an organ, with a proper acoustic, so it was a site for recording. That's how I knew about it
Right, those Revel speakers aren’t cheap. But if I remember correctly Amir’s setup also includes Mark Levinson DAC / amp.
Let me answer this way: if I were starting over, I would still buy my speakers but would pay a lot less for amplification. I have already "downgraded" in DAC by going with Matrix. There was a time I was looking at $15K DAC/streamers.I think most people who buy $20k amps can afford them, so no one is harmed.
Amir, if I remember correctly, your own hi-fi system is not cheap either. Knowing that the same level of performance could have been achieved with far less money, why don’t you downgrade and put the excess cash toward a more legitimate use? I’m genuinely curious.
Let me answer this way: if I were starting over, I would still buy my speakers but would pay a lot less for amplification. I have already "downgraded" in DAC by going with Matrix. There was a time I was looking at $15K DAC/streamers.
I do love the the way my amps look though.
No. The problem is that the industry paints them as normal goods when they're really velben disguised by false notions of utility.
Ferrari owners will readily admit they bought one because it was cool and prestigious. How often will an audiophile admit to purchasing components on that basis?