PristineSound
Major Contributor
Speaking of pimps, here is the song that I will blast in that Mecedes wagon, while I am dressed like Snoop Dog.
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Snobbery in Hi-Fi. Why are people so stupid and turn their noses up at gear costing much less which is just as good?
- Thread starter Westsounds
- Start date
PristineSound
Major Contributor
I went on family vacation once in Maine, there was this little bungalow by the beach we stayed in, it was small, it wasn't luxurious at all, but it had a lot of charm and staying there for few days, it just felt more pleasant than any hotels suites that I was upgraded to from having status from all the years I traveled for work.
I enjoy charm, I think that in itself is luxury.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
I recalled seeing a picture of that one prototype they build in the past. The Japanese are known for wood joinery, and the prototype I saw was build using wooden body, using these exquisite Japanese joinery.
I think it would be too heavy using wood, but it did look nice.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
If you ask me, the Honda S2000 is family heirloom grade. Relatively affordable too.
I've been sitting on the fence if I should buy one or not since now it is starting to become a collectable so the value will only go up, but I don't have the garage space and I will eventually need to buy a new daily driver in few more years when my wife gives her car to my teenage son.
EJ3
Master Contributor
Yes, one that will hang with a 911 turbo on the highway (and with a casket in the back)
On the interstate but no corners allowed!
EJ3
Master Contributor
Love them! But be careful, many have been abused and fixed up just enough that you can not initially tell that there are issues coming to you.
wadude
Addicted to Fun and Learning
EJ3
Master Contributor
EJ3
Master Contributor
Yes, one that will hang with a 911 turbo on the highway (and with a casket in the back)
wadude
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Wagons are the best.
I don’t care if people buy empty hifi status goods. I find the people who sell them and defend th m with pseudoscience pretty sus, though.
I guess I’m in the unrealistic position of asking people to be realistic about why they own things.
I guess I’m in the unrealistic position of asking people to be realistic about why they own things.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
My answer and the answer of countless many here is: For pure gluttonous self-enjoyment.
However, for as long as I have been in this HiFi hobby, I have always come across someone who insist anyone owning anything that is an expensive luxury is owning it for status and ego.
You get to pick what is more realistic of an answer for yourself.
satow
Member
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I try to stay objective when choosing audio equipment. I bought the SMSL SU‑10 DAC because its measurements are excellent, and for the price it’s a strong performer. But in my system it sounded a bit lean and dry, and the soundstage wasn’t as engaging as what I get from the Gustard R26. That surprised me at first, because on paper the SU‑10 measures better. Fortunately, I picked up the R26 used for about $750, so the comparison wasn't too expensive. Costly to me though. My experience reinforced something important for me: great sound isn’t just about specs or price, but matching components so your speakers can perform at their best matters far more than chasing numbers — even though objective measurements are still a useful starting point.
You're short changing yourself a bit there, lots of incredible stuff out there both old and new on bluray today. Things like David Gilmour - Live at the Circus Maximus in Atmos immersive sound gave me the opportunity to experience him like I haven't been able to since his last big US tour in 1994. Putting together a good surround system can take you to a new level of music listening both with and without video.
YMMV
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To me, that’s a false binary. I think the two motivations often overlap, even in the cases of literal gluttony and lust. Much like the sources of altruism, the interests of self and perception by others are hard to refine to 100% purity.
BTW, I think the same is true about serious objectivists. Are they doing for themselves, or because they/we want to be seen as logical or methodical (by others, or by our future selves)? Crooked Timber indeed. Where does desire become belief and belief become identity?
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PristineSound
Major Contributor
I think anyone buying anything of luxury will always get some level of self-enjoyment out of it. Some of them also buy it for status and symbol, even perhaps as their primary reason. While the rest just don't care what others think of them, for they are gluttonous, lusty and indulgent people (not necessarily a bad thing).
A large number I know who claim to "love" music, only do so for what was current till shortly after High School or maybe College. That's the music that related to their life at the time and speaks to them emotionally. After that they mostly fall away to other interests for reasons that I mostly don't get?
Tell her that's fine, as long as she lets you cut hers.
The nuttiest part is the extreme bass it creates and gets every panel on the car buzzing and rattling to the beat, and think it sounds great.
Those are the types of stories that make me think back and wonder if I shouldn't have taken a different path in life than I did ???
But naw, I'm who I am and had a ton of fun thru those years. I good.
You need to start comparing these guys under proper bias controlled blind listening conditions.
I very highly doubt you'd be able to pick one from another under those conditions..
satow
Member
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In a careful bias‑controlled blind test with unfamiliar gear in an unfamiliar room, I wouldn’t expect to reliably tell one component from another. But with my own system—where I know its character and how small changes shape the sound—I can hear those differences and adjust things in ways that feel right and enjoyable to me.
Some people enjoy equipment that looks fancy or expensive, and that’s totally okay. If it looks good to them and sounds good to them—even if the joy is mostly visual—that still matters. What’s important is that it makes the listener happy.
As for snake‑oil salespeople, well… some people out there try to sell things that don’t really do what they promise. It’s good to stay careful, ask a lot of technical detail questions, and make sure you’re getting something real and helpful, not just something that looks impressive.
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PristineSound
Major Contributor
That is a philosophical life decision. The important thing to note is that, in general, one will get enjoyment at one point, earlier or later. The calculus as to pick which one is better, is all an individual decision with pro's and con's. Who am I to jump in to tell you otherwise.
That is why I am a fierce defender of personal choice, that includes purchase decision: you buy what you want, you buy when you want, you buy for whatever reasons you want, as long as you are buying it with your own money. With some limited exceptions such as letting my 15 year old buy a box of cracker jack for breakfast.