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
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
yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
In my opinion the Ipod is very good to take it to the gym to provide portable music for a good workout.In fact I am getting one soon for that reason but I wouldn't use it for my main system.I guess I like the in-convinience of spinning cd's and vinyl.
Regards
George
wdrazek OP
100 posts
 
Hack: You missed my point. I'm not talking about just convenience.

Lossless audio has been here for the past 5 years and so have a few products to stream it all over the house. The industry has poo-pooed all digital music as though it was nothing but 128k MP3's. Meanwhile, a few innovative companies (Sonos, Logitech) have run with the ball. The old school is ignoring this new technology at their own peril.

Ckrody: You are exactly right. There are 125MM Ipods out there and every one is hooked up to a PC where music is stored. Any $500 mass-market AVR has built-in DAC's and multiple inputs to accomodate digital streams. It may not have the DAC or implementation you and I want but it's there.

HH Scott, Marantz, Eico and a host of others were swept under the Japanese tide when transistors took over. It will be companies that adapt to the new reality that will prosper and I don't see the old school US mfrs doing it. The UK is doing better, but they also have a ways to go. With our expertise in computer technology and interfaces we should be kicking a$$ here.

GSM18439: I agree that having a digital input on the CD player is a great idea. I'd like it even better on the amplifier because everything runs through it (unless you have powered speakers). Linn and Arcam have nice all in one boxes but don't include a digital input for the DAC. That is sad.

Mrtennis: Whether or not a 40 year old system can outplay today's state of the art is not relevant to my point. Neither is designed for the formats that the industry has already moved towards. That makes for a frustrating scenario for people like me and lost opportunity for companies who built it.
More to discover