Hi-end audio is a big zero


This is no knock on dealers, It's just how hi-end audio is.

I go listen to some speakers. He has them set up like crap - jammed between 3 other pair. Running on electronics I would never choose so I have to try and compensate for what I imagine they are contributing to the sound. Then after 30 minutes, I am expected to shell out the $4,500.00.

I narrowed it down to two transports from an online retailer. And who knows if those 2 are even a good choice?  Told point blank, I am not allowed to buy both and return the one I don''t want. Just pick one and buy it. Shell out $1,000-$3,500 based on what?

One e-tailer will allow purchase 3 speakers totally $12K and return the two I don't want. Sorry, i have a conscience and can't do it to him.

Read all you want. Talk all you want. Listen at dealers all you want. But unless you listen in your own room, it's all meaningless. I'm talking even just 5 to 30 minutes can be all it takes. But that is basically impossible.

Sure you can buy and sell on A-gon or Ebay if you find what you want have the time to go through the process.

If the prices weren't so high or I did not care about sound quality maybe it would not matter.

cdc

My favorite dealer experience was at George Merrills Underground Sound in Memphis Tenn. in the 80’s. Incredible room, incredible customer interaction and incredible hand built Merrill turntables. No dig room correction then, all manual. I hope that room is still there, it was underground btw… in an awesome basement area. 

antialiased's avatar    
antialiased
13 posts
12-02-2022 at 04:26pm 
@orgillian197 They charge a 20% restocking fee. How is that exemplary?

I don't judge a business by its return policy.

I've been buying from them since the mid 80s and they've handled any problems I've had. Good enough for me.

High end audio can be tricky. I got in over my head when I bought Magico A3 speakers. I ended up going through a couple of amps: Yamaha A-S3000 and Prima Luna EVO400. I still wasn’t satisfied with the sonics and didn’t want to keep throwing darts and wasting money.

I drove halfway across the country and back to work with an expert who gave me a money back guarantee with no questions asked! Mike Powell in Atlanta.

I’ve been very satisfied and will go back for a DAC and other things in the future!

@vuch 

What is the problem with Magico speakers?

I've never heard a pair yet I often read about dissatisfied listeners when it comes to Magico speakers.

On paper it looks as if Alon Wolf has spared no expense in building the very best that current technology will allow him to. Apparently the very best cabinets, the best very drivers etc

So where exactly do things sometimes go wrong?

And why?

I'm sure that's a question that Mr Wolf himself might be interested in as well.