Can Audiophiles Accept the Value Proposition of Better Modern Products?

[gene]

For most audiophiles audio-video essentials and accessories aren’t the only luxury good products that we indulge in. Some audio-video enthusiasts focus all of their money into their hobbies, but for most of us, we have to balance our consumer spending between our AV systems and other key elements of living well.

Jerry Del Coliano explores the topic of modernization of electronics has lead to better performing gear for less money. Many audiophiles indulge in antiquated AV gear that can be rivaled in performance and features today. Can the enthusiasts accept that, or will the lure of “the way it always has been” be too tempting?

Read: What Happens When the Value of an AV Product Resets Radically?

 

[Kvn_Walker]

If I had bought Amazon in the late 1990s instead of Nintendo games, I could afford some McIntosh and Wilson's today.

I know the feeling.

 

[chapp]

I have owned Luxman, Bryson, Pioneer, Sony, Grundig, Sierra, Philips, Sansui, Denon, Yamaha, Technics and several others over the years. I was born into HiFi and continue to enjoy better sound as time evolves. I have companders/expanders by dBx. I have used Graphic and Parametric equalizers etc. However, I now have as my main HT setup, the Yamaha Aventage RX- A8A and this is serving me well with my 7. 2. 4 setup with my SVS and PSB's.

 

[-Jim-]

Thanks for the enjoyable read.

Like most long timers here, I've had my share of classic gear, but being a bit of a geek (and trained in that area) I never stuck too long with dated gear (except early on when Family finances tugged hard on the bank account. You gotta keep your priorities straight!). I can easily read and understand a spec sheet (which is the hard part). Deciphering the data from the bullsh*t has prevented me from buying trendy and very hyped hardware. Of course I made a few mistakes, and did jump onto a DLP TV (which is all we could afford at the time) and it became the fastest TV to the recycle bin in my lifetime. No value proposition there. But overall my well researched purchases have done me well in this lifetime hobby.

But then I never had the lure of the the Sunset Strip and the California lifestyle here in Vancouver.

 

[jeffca]

While there have been products that lead the industry for a short while, as a consumer, you have to be judicious about what you are buying.

Hey, if you bought a Pioneer Kuro plasma, you might still be enjoying that today and having a great picture. Yes, things have gotten better since then for the same price, but, hey, that's still a damn fine TV set.

When you're buying equipment, you have to go not only for what is the best that you can buy now, but how that purchase will be a few years from now. That requires you to do a good bit of research and not just take reviews on face value.

The more you understand audio science and human hearing, the better the system you will have. Avoid that and you will suffer.

 

[fmw]

I'm a reformed former audiophile. I quit worrying about equipment years ago and just enjoy the entertainment they provide. I have spent zero dollars on A/V equipment over the past 7 years. The stuff just keeps working. My 55" LCD screen is still bright and definitive. My home brew 15" subwoofer can provide more bass than I would ever want when watching a movie. My double blind listening tests from 10 years ago showed me that big heavy expensive amps didn't work any better than the amps in an A/V receiver at the volume levels I find comfortable. All that high end stuff is stored in a closet upstairs. What was once a listening room is now an exercise room. I can listen to recorded music happily in the family room through the home theater.

Perhaps the only thing that has provided more personal freedom than giving up audiophilia was quitting smoking in 1988. Most audiophiles are equipment collectors. Those that admit that is what they are (I was) have a better chance of enjoying freedom from equipment that I have enjoyed. Focus on the software. Most any modern equipment can reproduce it competently. Anybody need a nice high end tube stereo amp with a bunch of tubes that I thought would have a sonic signature? You wouldn't believe the measured harmonic distortion. End of rant.

 

[Am_P]

I grew up around vintage high end equipment since my dad was into it big time. I will no longer touch any featureless 2 channel purist equipment that does not have the features built into high end receivers/pre pros (like PEQ for starters!). Atmos upmixing or native mixes seems to beat the daylights out of stereo for music listening in most scenarios for me.

2 channel speakers that are ultra expensive tend to be "full range" (at least the ones I have heard in shows) for the audiophools who think subwoofers will pollute their hifi listening. With the inclusion of subwoofers, many relatively affordable speakers can match or beat those ultra expensive speakers w.r.t the listening experience.

 

[fmw]

I grew up around vintage high end equipment since my dad was into it big time. I will no longer touch any featureless 2 channel purist equipment that does not have the features built into high end receivers/pre pros (like PEQ for starters!). Atmos upmixing or native mixes seems to beat the daylights out of stereo for music listening in most scenarios for me.

2 channel speakers that are ultra expensive tend to be "full range" (at least the ones I have heard in shows) for the audiophools who think subwoofers will pollute their hifi listening. With the inclusion of subwoofers, many relatively affordable speakers can match or beat those ultra expensive speakers w.r.t the listening experience.

Amen. I have three subwoofers - on in the home theater, one in the bedroom and one on my main computer. No audio system should be without one.

 

[chapp]

Subwoofers also take the load off the main speakers so they can be pushed more.