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I think I've Just Seen Absolute Proof That Audiophiles Are Insanely Gullible

I didn’t want to crap on someone’s sales thread, so I thought i’d post my amazement here. The focus of my disbelief? The "Dalby D7-Vinyl Stabilizer," which is a damn weight that screws onto the turntable spindle to hold the record securely onto the platter. Listed retail? 4000 British Pounds! (although a mag listed it at $6,800! On sale here at AudioGullible for the bargain basement price of 2500 British Pounds, or $3600 US dollars!!! Just read a few snippets of the sales ad . . .

"The D7-Vinyl Stabiliser has a sonic character that brings music to life and the ability to elevate the entire audio frequency from the veil and mechanics inherent in prerecorded music. The gains are immediate, with sweeter high frequency extension while the mid and lower registers are beautifully controlled. The soundscape is wider, higher and deeper, allowing the music to breathe more naturally."

I’m sorry, but I’m calling total BS on this. A friggin’ weight brings "music to life," "sweeter high frequency extension," "allowing the music to breathe more naturally . ." Come on. Its a modified paperweight that screws onto the platter. One can only imagine what this guy thinks about some $20K interconnects for the turntable -- the music probably writes itself! And don’t forget the amazing improvement that a $4,000 carbon fiber mat might add . . . You probably would think you were hallucinating because the music breathed so much it was oozing out of the speakers, like on some of my more memorable nights in college in the ’70’s.

Now I have never heard this amazing gift to the audiophile community, so maybe it is the audio equivalent of the Second Coming, but really? $5,800 for this? It confirms to me that there is a certain insanity/gullibility/too much money/snake oil in this so-called "hobby," (which is a hobby to customers and ridiculous business for some manufacturers). When is enough enough? What about audiophile paint, that has amazing sonic qualities to cut down reflection and make the soundstage so wide that you feel you need a new apartment? Don’t forget the audiophile couch, that is sonically neutral but promises to position your ears to "bring music to life?" OK, I’ve made my point. No offense to the seller of the snake oil, but really . . . When is enough enough?

This concludes my rant for today. :)
moto_man
alpha_gt
155 posts
 
The existence of snake oil, and those gullible enough to believe it, are directly related. If no one were gullible enough to buy into it, then there would be no such products. 

I think I saw the plug strip advertised on The Cable Company's web site. My question is, what proof is there that the $6 plug strip you bought was ever cryogenically frozen? I guess the proof is in the listening! Anyone remember the Tice Clock?  

I forget which magazine reviewer it was that argued that as long as you BELIEVE it has made a difference in the sound then it was worth the money. 
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I once had been in Epicure grocery "ultra natural and organic and super duper healthy yadadada" store in South Beach where one apple as an example would worth about $10(looked kinda shiny and covered with glaze) and a bar of soap $250. In my past days I was a servant and chauffeur for very rich family that occasionally was sending me for shopping in Epicure he..he... There are lots of interesting ways to earn money on gullible indeed! Than I went to family owned grocery store in Northern Jersey up in the mountains close to Milford PA where 2lb bag of apples was $3. They tasted substantially better and did not have any glaze on'em. $3 and $100 is the same for upper class with over few$M of annual profits so the prices are marked accordingly. The point is that there's the same or even better quality among affordable units. Just do your own research and learn.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,427 posts
 
Yes some people are gullible and some are not. Some are Audiophiles. Some products offer good value and some not. Some are expensive and some not.

Move on people.....there’s nothing new to see here....

I personally would not buy A $3600 record stabilizer but I’m sure others would. I’d rather invest that money in the best ultrasonic record cleaner I could find, if I were to invest that much in my records.

But that’s just me. I’m sure some all have only perfectly clean records and now need a better stabilizer.

Sheesh.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Yes some people are gullible and some are not.  


I think most folks are gullible, not just audiophiles, it's human nature.

A simple survey....how many of you guys are married?
I rest my case. ;^)

Thanks folks, don't forget to tip your bartenders and waitresses.
I'll be here all week.
moto_man OP
379 posts
 
@czarivey ,  I live in South Beach, sometimes shop at that Epicure, and you're right about some of those prices .. .  unbelievable!

@mapman , your comments about gullibility and good value are certainly true.  What I object to are the ridiculous marketing claims made to justify outlandish prices and are targeted to the audiophile.  Like I said, if someone wants a diamond-encrusted record clamp, power to 'em. But don't claim that the diamonds resonate at a special frequency that cancels out the negative electrons emanating from the cartridge, which makes the music sound like its being played in the living room.  If we didn't gobble up those types of marketing hypes, they probably wouldn't be made.  But you can only sell snake oil with silly claims, or else no one would buy it,

I'd bet that in a true double-blind study, where the reviewer cannot see whether a regular record clamp is being used or the Dalby D7, he wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

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