Hype, Hyperbole and high price!


Okay, I understand that this site has to make money by having advertisers, but cheese and crackers, the claims that are made are just laughable if not down right criminal!  Before I attended an engineering university I too was duped into buying expensive wires and such.  Now, armed with an engineering and physics background, I can see through the BS claims made.  I try and not let it get in the way of my enjoyment of good quality stereo equipment, but when a salesman tries to sell me something based on testimonials, hype and hyperbole, I tell him politely my background and then ask him a series of questions which leaves him dumbfounded. 

Such crap as directional wires - (I used to work for both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) and trust me, if we had to test the miles of wires for directionality in every piece of equipment built...well you get the gist.

I have friends that are audio snobs and although they argue with me (Basically buyer's remorse) they know that what I say is true and end the conversation.  Oh well, I suppose I will continue to get a headache when I read said claims.

Sigh!
128x128kenny928
kenny928 OP16 posts05-04-2016 4:44pm Before I attended an engineering university I too was duped into buying expensive wires and such. Now, armed with an engineering and physics background, I can see through the BS claims made.
Engineering school has a course for street smarts?

I tell him politely my background and then ask him a series of questions which leaves him dumbfounded.

One of those, Do you know who I am types? That’s all I need to know.

I am an engineer first and an audiophile second.

When it comes to audio, I trust my ear 1st. My fancy degree, specifications ... come 2nd.

I just get tired of the massive increase in prices over time. I have been an audiophile since 1979 and have seen the increase in hype and prices without empirical data to back the claims.

It’s call capitalism! Entrepreneur identifies a market and create companies to fill a void. If you fall for the hype, it’s not companies fault but yours. There are consequences in a free society with the ability to choose.

Audiophile companies operate in a niche market where demand is low, supply is low so price is high. If you only sell 50 amps annual, you have to charge more for each to stay in business. Conversely you have companies like Walmart that deals with high demand, high volume so prices are low. Economics 101.

Ever notice that power cord shipped with the product? It is an inexpensive one. Why would a 20K piece of equipment be shipped out with such a feeble cord if it made such a huge difference in sound? Just sayin'!

Simple, like most tube components, companies anticipate you roll them so don't bother including expensive PCs. 

falconquest78 posts05-04-2016 7:47pmGeez Kenny,
Why do some people feel they need a BMW M5 to get to work when a Kia Sportage will get them there just as easily? It’s a marketplace. If people want to spend thousands of dollars on speaker cables then for cripes sake let them! Are they better? Who cares? They think they are. Just because I can prove that a Kia Sportage from an engineering standpoint can get you to work the same as a BMW M5 doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for the M5! And whose standard are we to live by? I get tired of those who put down audiophiles based on "engineering principles". Do your research, find what works for you and go with what you can afford. It doesn’t mean any one of us is right or wrong. Hopefully we’re happy with our system and that’s all that’s required. BTW, why are you using Nordost cables when you can get them much cheaper from Radio Shack?
Kenny boy thinks he better than you. Everybody should live by his standards, frugalness and street smarts. Notice how he criticizes his friends getting scammed and duped? With a PITA friend like Kenny, who needs enemies.

Remember, Kenny has an engineering degree so you can’t dupe him and is much smarter than all of us . GMAB!!!
Post removed 
Mapman wrote,

"Must say you are very reliable always popping up when Summoned."

I like your new avatar, by the way. I’m just guessing but is that supposed to be you and Batman? Or the Teletubbies?

Kenny928 wrote,

"...before I attended an engineering university I was duped into buying expensive wires and such."

Sorry, I’m not buying it. Nobody talks that way. Chances are looking good it's just some troll on a Harley.

geoffkait - Really?  What is the preferred way of speaking or writing where you come from?