Yes, I agree that is the vast majority of people buying products like Chord DAVE. No-one is disputing that.
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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
I am with you. Can't really list all of my spending habits as this is family friendly forum. But would add premium real estate, art, jewelery and good food to the list.
Among other things, I was stupid for most of my life to take as much as I felt was needed for me and my family. While the concept is not wrong, I did not count with inflation getting so high in the last 5 years and threatening to spill into next 5 years. Should have taken more while it was available.
Yup, that's my supposition as well, although I think those cases are exceptional. They wouldn't go on forums and defend it that way, but audio hobby sites select for those who do (along with the usual hifi publications).
PristineSound
Major Contributor
My son and his classmate were over at our house yesterday working on a school project, building a Roman time siege weapon for their Latin class.
They decided to work in our house because I have almost every tool you can imagine. Because they were teenagers and with no experience working with power tools, I did not feel comfortable with them working with power tools without my supervision, especially with saws, so I was helping them.
I gave them a tour and an brief overview what each tool does:
Then I made a half joking and half serious comment: "Boys, when you get older and don't get yourself cheap tools, get yourself some quality tools for real men."
Perhaps it's a language thing but "Guilty" has multiple meanings aside from something a judge barks at you on your way to the gallows.
As I've said to you previously, I think you are trying too hard tbh.
It was kind of light hearted remark: "HiFi snob" is not right the right label, because if anything, labeling me a "car snob", "watch snob" or "wine/scotch snob" would be much more accurate.
I think that at least in the culture where I live, index of snobbery related to spending habits is relative to what You are spending on. It is way more acceptable to spend a lot (considering Your wealth) on a house, than on a watch (again considering Your wealth). Buying a house that is way more luxurious and bigger than what You need and which You can barely finance, is usually not seen as mark of snobbism , whereas spending 5K€ on watch, even if You can easily afford it, is.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
I don't think I am trying hard enough TBH, certainly nowhere as hard as the OP trying to convince other people to not buy expensive stuff.
Bad advice and is actually a good indicator as to where the schism exists in this thread.
You buy a tool to suit the job. Period.
If it's a tool for a one off unicorn project which will only ever get used once and then spend the rest of it's life in the shed, you're an idiot for buying something expensive.
If it's a tool that will spend most of its time out of the shed, working a hard life, you're an idiot for buying cheap.
It's an important point.
If you always go for premier products regardless then you'll likely not buy the best tool for the job because you'll find a way to make do for the one-off.
If you always go cheap regardless then you'll be constantly at the tool store for replacements.
You are applying a black and white filter to what is a grey and fuzzy problem.
Which the OP isn't doing at all.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
I think we have enough consensus that he is.
You are reasonable for saying this, I don't think the OP will agree with you.
But you are misinterpreting.
tineared
Addicted to Fun and Learning
You're correct. The OP isn't trying to convince folks not to buy "premium" hi-fi equipment
He's saying they're stupid if they do
OP
Westsounds
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- Thread Starter
- #813
Why wouldn’t I agree with that. That post makes a valid point about something and its application. There's nothing not to agree with.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
So you no longer upset at tool snobs now. . .good start. Just need to work on watches, cars and HiFi equipment (the ones we know about here).
tineared
Addicted to Fun and Learning
"Premium" refers to anything that's more expensive than the OP deems necessary.
Next, will you ask me to define "necessary"?
OP
Westsounds
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- #816
There's nothing wrong with premium gear, premium gear can be defined by something that is well constructed, fit for purpose, will probably last as long as any other well-designed gear and measures well. We can add all sorts of variables to that and get the same product but increase the value by x10 or x100 or more. This is where it becomes mindless spending. We are going beyond ‘good hi-fi’ into bias influenced or subjective spending, it’s not better ‘hi-fi’, yet there are swarms of people who swear it is, and even turn their noses up at the lower end ‘premium’ stuff because they don’t think it’s in the same league. It is just as good though.
OP
Westsounds
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- #817
You are so off the mark, I really need to meet you.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
So if I buy something that is 10x or 100x more than a "just as good" cheap stuff but I don't turn my nose up at the cheap stuff, is that OK with you?
That's a bit of an odd, meaningless, and wrong response tbh.
"I don't know" would have been a better one.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
I am also very intrigued by your outlook in life. You are free to private message me if you like, I would take the opportunity to learn more about you and why you feel other people shouldn't spend their money as they like.