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

[DavidEdwinAston]

For me, brands like McIntosh, Luxman, Accuphase, have a very loyal brand following and rich history.

The best part that I like about McIntosh is that they will services their products, essentially forever. I have seen a video of them remanufacturing old parts that is no longer available in order to service the product. To me, that is longevity, that is what make the product a lasting piece.

I think Quad Acoustics also have a decent history of long term support!

 

[PristineSound]

I think Quad Acoustics also have a decent history of long term support!

Then I suppose this we suite us both.

Although I am unable to buy McIntosh, aside from the fact that it's cost prohibitive, they don't make them in silver, that is a deal breaker for me.

 

[krabapple]

When one thinks the reason for others to buy luxury goods is just so that they can look down on others less fortunate or to satisfy their ego.

it *could* be *a* reason

When one maintains that there are no possible way that a human being can possibly have any need, benefit or lust from anything beyond basic or entry level goods.

You like your straw men, don't ya?

When one barks at others for spending more than they "should" or "need", even if it's not their own money.

'bark' is sometimes the way laughter is described, onomatopoeically.

These are the reoccurring opinions observed of the OP and few others over the course of these 60+ pages.

Then yes, I am of the opinion that hate, lack of self-esteem and/or envy can only be the reasons.

Opinion vs. opinion.

Or, a stubborn lack of imagination on display again.

 

[PristineSound]

it *could* be *a* reason

Or, a stubborn lack of imagination on display again.

Oh, it sounds like you disagree with the premise such as this?

No one admits they are purchasing something for status; it's a subconscious drive. We all do it to some extent.

 

[Sal1950]

Although I am unable to buy McIntosh, aside from the fact that it's cost prohibitive, they don't make them in silver, that is a deal breaker for me.

But what about all the purdy green lit tubes, gotta have me some of them.

 

[PristineSound]

But what about all the purdy green lit tubes, gotta have me some of them.

The blue meters are OK, but the green growing tubes absolutely not. The McIntosh style just isn't for me.

Personally, I prefer the Yamaha and Luxman style.

 

[krabapple]

Oh, it sounds like you disagree with the premise such as this?

Oh, you plucked two quotes of mine out of context, addressing neither, then added a third thing for me to agree with or not.

I'll clarify for you:
Undoubtedly, "just so that they can look down on others less fortunate or to satisfy their ego" could be a reason for a person to buy luxury goods. One can imagine other undoubtably plausible reasons, as well.

The 'lack of imagination' I referred to is yours.

I suggest you ask Mort exactly what he meant by his quote. But surely it does not mean this:
"there are no possible ways that a human being can possibly have any need, benefit or lust from anything beyond basic or entry level goods."

 

[PristineSound]

Oh, you plucked two quotes of mine out of context, then added a third thing for me to agree with or not, that has naught to do with either quote.

Undoubtedly " just so that they can look down on others less fortunate or to satisfy their ego" could be a reason for a person to buy luxury goods. One can imagine other plausible reasons, as well.

The 'lack of imagination' I referred to is yours.

I suggest you ask Mort exactly what he meant by his quote. But surely it does not mean this:
"there are no possible ways that a human being can possibly have any need, benefit or lust from anything beyond basic or entry level goods."

You came into this thread late, I'm not going to find and quote those with hate for those who have more, lack of self-esteem or envious.

But nevertheless, I take it that your position is that you disagree with the 3 premises that I have summarized prior.

 

[krabapple]

To paraphrase some hack I once read, There are more reasons why humans react than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

And your refusal to allow that, says something about you.

That's my position.

And since when is October 2025 late?

 

[Short38]

Saul Goodman

 

[Sal1950]

The blue meters are OK, but the green growing tubes absolutely not. The McIntosh style just isn't for me.

Personally, I prefer the Yamaha and Luxman style.

Taste is such a personal thing, I find the Yamaha and Luxman very 1980s. I love the way Accuphase or D'Agostino blend classic styling with a modern High Quality look, both just scream expensive, you won't have to ask. I'll never own any but I can drool.

 

[wadude]

I know they’re both solid. The Accuphase is reminiscent of Phase Linear, Dynaco 400, etc. and likely a pretty fine amp. D’Agostino is trying awfully hard. From appearances the quality is difficult to gauge.

 

[PristineSound]

And your refusal to allow that, says something about you.

Of course not, I have my own opinion, other people have theirs, why would I relent and succumb to other people's opinion?

And since when is October 2025 late?

Ahh, didn't see you in the last 30 so pages, so thought that you missed it all. But turns out that you dabbled into capitalism and wealth gap, in other words politics. But I am curious what exactly is your opinion/position on rich people buying rich people things?

 

[PristineSound]

Taste is such a personal thing, I find the Yamaha and Luxman very 1980s. I love the way Accuphase or D'Agostino blend classic styling with a modern High Quality look, both just scream expensive, you won't have to ask. I'll never own any but I can drool.

I think I will take the Accuphase over the D'Agostino, if I have to take a guess, the D'Agostino don't measure too well.

And don't discount yourself on the Accuphase, I have seen some older models on the used market that can be compelling.

 

[Newman]

This is one of the silliest threads on ASR in awhile. Yes, TTT, while some people 'do the research', plenty of people really do favor a more expensive thing simply because it's more expensive. To those people, the price is marker of 'quality'. We can prove this easily with the same-wine-in-two-bottles experiment. Price one bottle higher than the other, and watch plenty of people report that it tastes better.

Yes, exclusivity is a well known purchasing criterion, and marketing pros know and use this extensively. And a very high price is one way, among many others, of 'excluding' most people from getting their hands on an item. The technical term is a 'positional good'.

It's also how a Veblen good works. For a Veblen good, if the price is reduced, less people buy it, and vice versa.

cheers

 

[MattHooper]

Yes, exclusivity is a well known purchasing criterion, and marketing pros know and use this extensively. And a very high price is one way, among many others, of 'excluding' most people from getting their hands on an item. The technical term is a 'positional good'.

It's also how a Veblen good works. For a Veblen good, if the price is reduced, less people buy it, and vice versa.

cheers

Yes, good points.

I’ve heard through the audio insider grapevine about some high-end companies being asked by dealers in East Asia if they could produce some even more expensive components “ can you make more expensive cables can you make more expensive speakers?”

Why?
Apparently because the more expensive products appeal to some of their rich customers. Whether they are associating that with higher quality or purely exclusivity, I don’t know.

I’ve mentioned before that I feel a certain pull towards exclusivity myself as well.

I’m not personally looking for high end audio to become totally commoditized. I fully support the development of ever better gear at ever cheaper prices - that will benefit all the more people looking to attain high-quality sound.

But when it comes to some of my own gear… for me instance maybe my old tube amplifiers, my nutty turntable, my loudspeakers, I do like the idea that there is a certain level of rarity, a certain measure of
“not everybody owns exactly this gear” exclusivity.

But it’s not, I submit, the exclusivity of being the rich snob using it to Lord over others.
I can’t show off my audio gear to most people cause most people don’t give a damn.
It doesn’t feel like it gives me any particular status. If anything I’m somewhat more embarrassed about it when non-audiophiles are part of the equation. May as well be proud of my pocket protector in that sense.

Instead, it’s something more about the value of a bespoke item. It’s on the continuum of DIY anything. There’s a satisfaction in DIY of making something yourself… and it’s not just the satisfaction of doing the work but also the satisfaction that it can allow you to design something just to meet your own (possibly idiosyncratic) goals and criteria. In DIY you can create something that has some individuality that reflects your own tastes, and that can be really satisfying no doubt.

Having a bespoke audio item… made just for you by a designer or manufacturer… is along the same continuum. I once had a set of tube monoblocks custom made for me by a local guy, and that was a pleasure to own not just for how I liked the sound but the bespoke nature of the item.

My tube amplifiers. turntable and speakers are not custom-made, but they are obviously very niche in terms of what the general public would own, and also represent the designs of smaller companies than, say, Sony or Yamaha…or I think even KEF.

So for instance, I could’ve owned some KEF speakers and no doubt enjoyed great sound.
But I like the fact that I get great sound that I enjoy from some loudspeakers that are a little more off the beaten path.

Likewise when I owned MBL omnis. I was in love with the MBL sound which is why I acquired them. But rarity of the brand and the design also added to the pleasure of owning them.

I don’t care much whether anybody else feels that way about my gear. The vast majority of the time I’m gonna be listening to them by myself. What matters is how I feel.

Human nature and all that….

 

[PristineSound]

Whenever I window shop on the used market, I see the rarity of Benchmark electronics compared to other electronics and how it holds its value, it brings a big smile to my face knowing that I own a Benchmark amp.

I've been looking for a Benchmark preamp in silver, but not easy to find. And when I do find it, I will have a big smile on my face again.

Great feeling to know you have something that's highly sort after, rare items. That is part of the joy in life.

 

[MattHooper]

Whenever I window shop on the used market, I see the rarity of Benchmark electronics compared to other electronics and how it holds its value, it brings a big smile to my face knowing that I own a Benchmark amp.

I've been looking for a Benchmark preamp in silver, but not easy to find. And when I do find it, I will have a big smile on my face again.

Great feeling to know you have something that's highly sort after, rare items. That is part of the joy in life.

I feel somewhat similar about my 25 year old Conrad Johnson premier 12 amplifiers.

I have long perused the use market, just for fun and out of habit, and it’s nice to see that these amplifiers have become something of a classic, clearly still sought after and maintaining their value quite well on the used market, even all these years later.

I certainly don’t need that in order to enjoy my amps, but that extra bit of validation that you own something other audiophiles also value as well is a bit of a nice bonus.

 

[PristineSound]

I feel somewhat similar about my 25 year old Conrad Johnson premier 12 amplifiers.

I have long perused the use market, just for fun and out of habit, and it’s nice to see that these amplifiers have become something of a classic, clearly still sought after and maintaining their value quite well on the used market, even all these years later.

I certainly don’t need that in order to enjoy my amps, but that extra bit of validation that you own something other audiophiles also value as well is a bit of a nice bonus.

I own this Yamaha A-S2200, it's not highly sort after, it's not rare and it does not hold its value, not now at least and the SINAD is probably way down there.

But there is something about it tangibly and visually that moves me and give me a pride of ownership. The 60's and 70's styling, the UV meters, the silver face place, the dials, the all-analog signal circuitry, the Yamaha heritage from the 70's.

Sure you have some Topping and possibly some Fosi that may measure better and at a fraction of the price, but they don't have the hefty weight of 50lbs, they don't have that giant toroidal transformer that you can gleam in from the vent gills, they don't have over-the-top gold-plated binding post, they are life with no meaning.

I am sure you feel the same way with your Conrad Johnson.

 

[wadude]

Pride of ownership is important in a hobby. A combination of technology, industrial design and marketing grabs you at the right moment and the connection is made. It’s highly possible that people will make that connection with their Fosi and Topping gear.