2. misc-audio
  3. 1198795368

Why is the industry so lame?

I'm a 40+ audiophile who just can't understand why the industry is so tied to the past. Countless audio manufacturers will eventually go the way of the buggy makers if this continues. Consider:

In 1998 the Diamond Rio was introduced and Diamond was sued by the RIAA.
In 2001, the Ipod was introduced and it held 1000 songs.
In January 2003 Flac was introduced.
In 2003, Sonos was founded.
In November 2003 the Squeezebox was introduced.
In April 2004 Apple introduced its own lossless codec.
In 2005, Apple sold over 20MM Ipods for the first time.
In December 2007, Apple sells its 125 Millionth Ipod.

As we head into 2008, this is where the industry finds itself:

A growing number of mfrs now have proprietary Ipod docks to enhance their revenues to the tune of $100-300.

Krell now has a dock dubbed the KID that includes a preamp for about $1300. Matching power amp TBD.

The vast majority of preamplifiers have no DAC or DAC option.

Bryston and Naim have integrated DAC's into one of their integrated amplifiers (Bryston's is an option).

Only Outlaw has a 2 channel receiver with built-in DAC.

Rather than seeing the emerging new technology as something to be embraced the entire industry seems to regard it as something to ridicule. Sure, not everyone wants a DAC in their amp but how many are buying $2500 CD transports these days or even $1000 phono cartridges.

When will the industry wake up and smell the coffee?
wdrazek
hack
185 posts
 
Wdrazek: Your point is you value convenience, others value quality. There's no doubt that those of us that put the musical experience above all else are a minority, but I think it's fair to say we woke up and smelled the coffee already.

"Remember, information is not knowledge; knowledge is not wisdom; wisdom is not truth; truth is not beauty; beauty is not love; love is not music; music is the best."

-- Frank Zappa
ckorody
643 posts
 
Like it or not this is a very legitimate question. Folks, there are 100M+ iPods out there. So imagine the total universe of people who have put their music on hard drives (Rio, Zune etc etc), have become addicted to the ease of use and now would like to be able to use that resource for more then their portables...

Imagine the total number of people who would like to have anything but 200 or 500 or 1000 CDs cluttering up their wall.

This isn't about who sounds better then who. Let's leave the measuring for the vinyl guys. What Wdrazek is talking about is a whole (largely American) industry that is once again about to be runover by the East. All in the name of not offending or losing their installed base - who are all dying off; and ignoring their new customers who have 35+ years ahead of them on the spending curve.

The iPod is successful because it caters to those new buyers. But what is really important about it IMO is that it is introducing everyone who listens to music to a new metaphor for how music can be enjoyed.
gsm18439
895 posts
 
However, wouldn't it make sense for a CD player to have a digital input so that it can also be used as a DAC for those of us who want to store their music on a hard disc as well as use CDs? Maybe I am missing something, but this should be easy to do and would enhance the value of the CDP.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
improvements in technology do not imply improvements in sound quality.

i maintain i can assemble a stereo system from the late 60's/early seventies that will put any stereosystem of today to shame. of course, there were no digital components then--what a shame !!!

i think gresham's law is the reason why the sound of many so-called high quality stereo systems whose products are manufactured in 2007 are so fatiguing.

the industry is lame for the opposite reason you are complaining about, namely the hardware does not lead to enjoyment the way it did 40 years ago. technical progression=sonic degradation.
lwood
61 posts
 
I have to agree, in less than 5 years Sonos and Squeezebox type units will be commonplace, and my cd collection will be toast...wow, how much did I spend on that?

L'wood
More to discover