Snobbery in Hi-Fi. Why are people so stupid and turn their noses up at gear costing much less which is just as good?

[Sal1950]

But sometimes I do not agree with the rigid way of thinking on this forum. This is my world too.

Wetware is an important factor. But when wet impressions do not fade away, are reproducible and others somewhere in the world think the same?

Wetware is an irrelevant factor if you want to know the true proveable difference between any 2 objects.
It's not a "rigid way of thinking" to expect bias controlled testing that eliminates any wetware discrimination of the device under test. To quote J. Gordon Holt once more,
"when it (you) flatly refuse to submit to the kind of basic honesty controls (double-blind testing, for example) that had legitimized every other serious scientific endeavor since Pascal."

 

[napfkuchen]

The OG model.

Just look at this thing, this is the pinnacle of American styling. There is absolutely nothing like it before and after. From the side exhaust pipes, to the three spoke wheels, to the distinctive headlights, even the logo badge of a viper snake is just unique. Then it is topped with the quintessential American muscle car engine of an 8.0 liter V8.
View attachment 526599

Viper engine is a V10 … The only V8 version I know of was by Zakspeed used in the german VLN (Nürburgring Nordschleife Racing Series) because the engine displacement was restricted. They achieved 6 wins in the 24h Race between 1999-2007 though…
FIA GT of 2000-2009 was the best racing series imo. Attended lots of races, especially the engine „concert“ was so unique… Straight 6 (Porsche 911), V8 (Corvette, Ford GT, Saleen S7), V10 (Maserati MC12, Dodge Viper), V12 (Aston Martin DBR9, Ferrari 550, Lamborghini Murcielago) just to name a few.

 

[PristineSound]

Viper engine is a V10 … The only V8 version I know of was by Zakspeed used in the german VLN (Nürburgring Nordschleife Racing Series) because the engine displacement was restricted. They achieved 6 wins in the 24h Race between 1999-2007 though…
FIA GT of 2000-2009 was the best racing series imo. Attended lots of races, especially the engine „concert“ was so unique… Straight 6 (Porsche 911), V8 (Corvette, Ford GT, Saleen S7), V10 (Maserati MC12, Dodge Viper), V12 (Aston Martin DBR9, Ferrari 550, Lamborghini Murcielago) just to name a few.

You are 100% correct, I misspoke. A V10 engine and a beast of an engine nevertheless.

 

[Sal1950]

Viper engine is a V10 …

You are 100% correct, I misspoke. A V10 engine and a beast of an engine nevertheless.

Yep, I'm still kicking myself for not getting the V10 SRT model Ram pickup when I bought mine in 2006, it was too expense for my wallet. What a bad-assss truck ! But a clean one's worth a bundle today.

 

[Newman]

No problem with pushbacks, my proud announcement that everybody is wrong is a pushback too.

I have a problem with shoutbacks.

Let's hope you don't have a problem with moderationbacks.

Because that is often the abbreviated future on ASR for people who 'proudly announce' that the established science of the limits of audibility is utterly inapplicable to them. And they do it over and over and over. And they say everyone explaining audio science to them is wrong, wrong, wrong, just because, because, because.

Come here to learn and listen to others explaining this, but if you think the purpose of the internet is to allow the endless harassment, of people promoting science education, with repeated denialism and argumentativeness for the fun of it, then you might get a rude awakening here on ASR.

cheers

 

[Axo1989]

I bought a used Chord Blu, the original version because I loved the styling. It is a backup for when my 30 year old Goldmund Mimesis 36+ packs in. Don't expect a difference in sound but it is a lovely bit of styling IMO.

I really wasn't expecting to find agreement on that aesthetic response, you never know your luck in a big city (or an international forum).

 

[antcollinet]

I really wasn't expecting to find agreement on that aesthetic response,

I'm not surprised. They have looks only a mother could love ..... and you, and @Frank Dernie

 

[Sal1950]

I'm not surprised. They have looks only a mother could love ..... and you, and @Frank Dernie

Oh oh, look out.
Ant's on a rollllll tonight.

 

[TTT15]

Just blind test for yourself with you music in your system. If you enjoy and have the money buy and if doesn’t do anything for you then don’t.

 

[etc6849]

The only real question is why stop at 6 Benchmark AHB2's?

Still a work in progress, but my 29 channel system is nearly complete (15 channels for tri-amped 5 channel bed, 6 height channels and 8 subs). I used 16 AHB2's for this project, with all wiring and racks built by me. The programming was also done by me, as was the DSP setup (time alignment and level matching 29 channels, DSP FIR filter selection, blending subs into main, etc...).

And no, I don't have self-esteem issues either, but at humility, I'm tops.

Good thing we get to decide what to spend our money on in a free country.

I know people that make less than me dropping $80k-90k+ on a new truck they don't need when a $8k truck would work fine. I have no need to judge them as I'm not insecure in life. It's not like I'm rich either, and live in a middle class income bracket (maybe higher end of middle class).

I grew up in a trailer park with no money and just saved up for many many years for my setup. Took a lot of flipping gear to build this system too. At least my AHB2's have gone up in value, can't say the same for a new truck, etc...

Three separate 2 channel systems

I'm sure Benchmark are very pleased.

Will you stop going on about self-esteem issues you're like a broken record! No wonder you have no friends. I can assure you I really don’t care what Muppets spend their money on. I would like to see people better educated that they don’t have to waste £2500 on a DAC when a £250 one is just as good and looks a lot better than an over polished metal shoebox.

How can anyone justify 16 grand on a CDP that’s no better than many costing under a grand, it’s complete lunacy, that’s why I’d like to see it tested. I don’t even use discs anymore. There is not a chance I’d buy one, even if I had Bill Gates money.

6x AHB2? 12 channels?

Home theater setup?

Spectrogram, using only 5 PEQ filters that were hand selected until the Trinnov shows up:

SPL and Distortion at 20Hz:

Group Delay:

 

[PristineSound]

The only real question is why stop at 6 Benchmark AHB2's?

Still a work in progress, but my 29 channel system is nearly complete (15 channels for tri-amped 5 channel bed, 6 height channels and 8 subs). I used 16 AHB2's for this project, with all wiring and racks built by me. The programming was also done by me, as was the DSP setup (time alignment and level matching 29 channels, DSP FIR filter selection, blending subs into main, etc...).

And no, I don't have self-esteem issues either, but at humility, I'm tops.

Good thing we get to decide what to spend our money on in a free country.

I know people that make less than me dropping $80k-90k+ on a new truck they don't need when a $8k truck would work fine. I have no need to judge them as I'm not insecure in life. It's not like I'm rich either, and live in a middle class income bracket (maybe higher end of middle class).

I grew up in a trailer park with no money and just saved up for many many years for my setup. Took a lot of flipping gear to build this system too. At least my AHB2's have gone up in value, can't say the same for a new truck, etc...







View attachment 535171
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Spectrogram, using only 5 PEQ filters that were hand selected until the Trinnov shows up:
View attachment 535176
SPL and Distortion at 20Hz:
View attachment 535177

Group Delay:
View attachment 535178

Damn Nice!

For those minimalist utilitarians, eat your heart out!


Gluttonous, over-the-top, luxury. . .yeah baby, enjoy the shit out of life!!!!

 

[CDMC]

I don't think anyone has ever gotten laid because they were wearing a Patek, either. But Porsche, Ferrari ... that's a different thing. Umm, a "friend" who owns a Porsche told me that it's true.

Late response, but I am pretty sure neither my Rolex or Porsche have gotten me laid. Then of course, my personality tends to run them off before we get to the watch or car.

Conversely, when I was getting divorced when I was 35, I was a fat balding lawyer. I noticed a lot of women missed the first two things when they heard the third.

 

[Mnyb]

On the topic benchmark is expensive quality professional products not the kind of very expensive excessive high end audio stuff OP probably hinted at . It’s not only topping vs wadax . It’s RME or benchmark vs wadax for example

Any sensible big spenders would put RME or benchmark DAC’s at the jobb rather than MSB DCS or Wadax .

You can build an expensive system that makes sense or an expensive nonsense system

 

[PristineSound]

On the topic benchmark is expensive quality professional products not the kind of very expensive excessive high end audio stuff OP probably hinted at . It’s not only topping vs wadax . It’s RME or benchmark vs wadax for example

Any sensible big spenders would put RME or benchmark DAC’s at the jobb rather than MSB DCS or Wadax .

You can build an expensive system that makes sense or an expensive nonsense system

However though, if you look at what th OP has been saying all along. . .he's all about cheap good enough.

Anything more than that, he finds it to be ego and show off. Of course I disagree.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Because most audiophiles think that
More expensive =better
It's impossible for them to accept that a $10K speaker is better than their $100K speaker (for example)

 

[wadude]

It’s not often I envy what others have. It’s nice to know it’s out there, hopefully being enjoyed, but glad that it’s not my responsibility. I don’t feel like I’m living a “Sear’s better” life.

 

[CDMC]

Because most audiophiles think that
More expensive =better
It's impossible for them to accept that a $10K speaker is better than their $100K speaker (for example)

Prestige pricing exists across all products. Most people buy on emotion and believe that a higher price means higher quality. Airstream was one of the first companies to figure this out, marketing not the trailer, but the concept of luxurious freedom. We see it everywhere. I am an attorney. I have been opposite $1,000 an hour attorneys who a blathering idiots and barely competent and $200 an hour insurance defense attorneys that are phenomenal.

 

[etc6849]

What about my $0/hour ChatGPT attorney? I keed, I keed.

Prestige pricing exists across all products. Most people buy on emotion and believe that a higher price means higher quality. Airstream was one of the first companies to figure this out, marketing not the trailer, but the concept of luxurious freedom. We see it everywhere. I am an attorney. I have been opposite $1,000 an hour attorneys who a blathering idiots and barely competent and $200 an hour insurance defense attorneys that are phenomenal.

 

[CDMC]

What about my $0/hour ChatGPT attorney? I keed, I keed.

I love ChatGTP attorneys. I have three cases in the past year I took where the clients did their research on ChatGTP only to find out the hard way, having the best tools in the world doesn't matter if you don't know what you are looking for or how to use them.

 

[Sal1950]

I know people that make less than me dropping $80k-90k+ on a new truck they don't need when a $8k truck would work fine. I have no need to judge them as I'm not insecure in life. It's not like I'm rich either, and live in a middle class income bracket (maybe higher end of middle class).

Wow, I'm staggered, what an awesome system.
And your right, we all have a priority list we use to judge what we spend our disposable income on.
Just as long as your kids aren't going hungry or to school in raggedy clothes, no one has any business making judgements.
Enjoy partner!