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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
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
10-16-14: Mapman
Grand scale at least runs well up into 6 figures, maybe more in rare cases. At least that is the grandest I have seen mention of.

10-16-14: Schubert
98 % 0f US population thinks a 2k receiver is grand scale.

That is my point, thank you gentleman. Grand scale and high-end means many different things to many different people. High end, and whether it is dying or thriving, is all in the mind of the beholder.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,147 posts
 
The 99th percentile is grander and more high end then I suppose, and that 100th even more so.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,147 posts
 
You can't be high end if too many others are higher than you.
mesch
3,470 posts
 
I agree with Charles 8/17 post. There is so much great gear at all price points, analog and digital, that I believe it hard not to enjoy this hobby. Also true for the quality of music. The fun is seeking out what you like. One needs not get consumed with the preferences of others.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,147 posts
 
A better question might be how "high end" must gear be to sound like it?

My thought is that like with most technology, good sound is more a commodity item these days and less of a luxury, and it is easier than ever to approach the best the "high end" has to offer for most.

A lot of cost still has to do with scale though. It will always cost more to get high end sound in a larger venue than in a small one. That is for sure! Toss in aesthetic issues that concern home audio mostly and that ups the cost as well.

ON the smallest scale possible, I have a pair of Audio Technica headphones I paid less than $30 for that delivers a lot of delight at lower volumes even when used with commodity level computer gear these days.
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