Is high-end audio dying, if not dead already???


Without sounding like the mad prophet of the airwaves, I think high-end audio is in its death throes. I would like to hear other opinions on this issue, but I think it is time to raise the question and also some hell as to what is happening to the high end audio and audio in general.

Here's why: Most of the major audio publications spend a great deal of time on romancing the "absolute" fidelity of computer audio and music that is digitally processed. On the other hand, you have critics, reviewers, celebrating the comeback of vinyl, analog, and turntables. The mantra goes: "it really does sound better, like real music", so chuck out your CD player, and buy a $5000 analog rig, and have fun again cleaning, preserving (a medium) searching record huts worldwide for pristine vinyl gems. Maybe, there are some shellac gems out there also

It seems the CD format has "OUTLIVED" its usefulness in the pursuit of the absolute sound because its technology and soft ware has never convincingly improved. It is like the BB King tune "the thrill is gone" or saying kids let's just change the channel for something more exciting and new.

High-end audio seems to now ( as the old joke goes)require a degree in engineering or rocket science to understand the circuitous (bad pun) route to audio nirvana. Equipment has gotten more expensive over the last 15 years, under the pretext that the electronic functions have increased and become more complicated. Take a look at the back of a 5 channel receiver or amp, or home theater receiver, a digital processor, etc. and you will see the future of audio. It might be easier to hook up a heart and lung machine.

Ironically, as high end audio and audio in general evolves, the music industry delivers more shit to the public's ears, Geez, I never knew that in order to really enjoy Shakira, JZ, Pharell, and the rest of the talentless trash discovered and pushed by American Idol, The Voice,and the popular Mega media, would require hearing it in absolute sound.
sunnyjim
Tue music industry has always delivered talentless trash has it not? Most pop music by in large sounds like what it is. Manufactured for the masses. This question was asked in a recent and lengthy thread. Check it out if nothing else it is quite an entertaining read.
HI Sunny, I completley disagree that High End is dying or dead. First off it has never been a better time for ANYONE to purchase new or used great sounding gear. And the gear we buy today sounds much better then gear from the 70's-80's. Also, with all the Integrated tube amps (most from China) that have dominated the market over the last 5 years it really makes putting together a very musical system super easy! Used Audio is a BIG market right now,which makes it a buyers paradise :-) Also, the list of speaker manufactures is huge. Makes buying speakers for ones particular taste a happy endevor, because there are a lot of choices to mate with lots of different amps. Weather you like turntables or universal players the options are there for the audio person to find the match that works best. This is a Golden time for the audio driven person. IMO. Also, I dont purchase any pop rock or jazz music that was made after 1989. Mostly everything produced after that sux bad.
Sunnyjim, some folks our age become nostalgic for the past thrills of walking into a well stocked audio shop to see unbefore heard of gear, or back when the internet opened new doors allowing us an avenue to explore a wealth of equipment we never would have heard about by reading S'phile or TAS alone, not to mention the opportunity to share listening experiences with others in this hobby across the country and across the world. Those were exciting times in audio and, like the 1969 Hemi Cuda, unlikely to be repeated.
However, music is forever, and the gear we use to listen, and how we listen, will enevitably evolve with the times. Sound quality has improved at every price point over the past 10 years, engineers and designers continue to improve the sound of reproduced music in our homes and the high end continues to provide enjoyment for many who like music.
My short answer, NO, the high end is not dead, dying or even in trouble.