I see a total abandonment of logic in this thread.
Sean, your contention is that new gear is getting worse. For the sake of argument, lets say that it is (and for what its worth, I would probably be inclined to agree with this statement). Why is this?
Going back to an earlier response I made in this thread, you have 5 different systems, 4 solid state and 1 tube. Do these all sound exactly the same? Of course not. If you are pursuing accuracy (as you claim to be) why the need for 5 different systems that all have different sounds? Using logic, assuming all 5 systems dont sound exactly the same, you have at least 4 inaccurate systemsperhaps all five. Accurate is accurate, there are no degrees. If something sounds different from the original it is, by definition, inaccurate. The farther from this original sound, the more inaccurate a system becomes. Why are you keeping these inaccurate systems around? Presumably because you enjoy the sound that they make, accurate or not. Why then are you knocking Legacy speakers? For the record, I think they sound dreadful too, but someone out there might love the sound even though it is inaccurate. Lets try to stick to logic and avoid hypocrisy.
In addition to this fact (and going back to some of my earlier posts in this thread) is my contention that the average audiophile is not honest with himself; he is either not seeking accuracy or, most often, has no idea what accuracy is. What then is the standard for purchasing new equipment? How about greed, lust and envy of anothers possession for a start. People complain about $1000 machined aluminum face plates and silly blue LEDs, yet the high-end masses purchase them. The amount of times Ive read the phrase Pride of ownership on these pages disgusts me.
So whats wrong with knocking a $9500 Hovland that measures like an Onkyo receiver? You are entitled to say that it doesnt perform like it should and its grossly overpriced, but to make such a big fuss over this particular piece in this sad day and age in high end audio seems silly when people are paying $1000/watt in so many other products. Why on earth should Hovland reduce the asking price for this amplifier (or Legacy for their speakers or ANYONE in high end audio for that matter)? That will only result in less people buying it because the sound of a component is rarely the number one criteria in purchasing equipment in high end audio. And why on earth should Hovland or Legacy take the time to perfect their product when that wont result in increased sales either? They are running a business and the high end audiophile community allows them (I would say encourages them) to continue running it as such. Im just happy that many people who buy this are going to experience that warm fuzzy feeling known as pride of ownership that they simply would be missing out on by purchasing an amplifier for half of the price that out performs theirs in everyway.
Yes, a lot of new gear sucks. But it is the audiophile community as a whole that has created this situation and we are only making it worse. If you choose to make a stand now, abide by logic, avoid hypocrisy and you may see others follow your lead.
Sean, your contention is that new gear is getting worse. For the sake of argument, lets say that it is (and for what its worth, I would probably be inclined to agree with this statement). Why is this?
Going back to an earlier response I made in this thread, you have 5 different systems, 4 solid state and 1 tube. Do these all sound exactly the same? Of course not. If you are pursuing accuracy (as you claim to be) why the need for 5 different systems that all have different sounds? Using logic, assuming all 5 systems dont sound exactly the same, you have at least 4 inaccurate systemsperhaps all five. Accurate is accurate, there are no degrees. If something sounds different from the original it is, by definition, inaccurate. The farther from this original sound, the more inaccurate a system becomes. Why are you keeping these inaccurate systems around? Presumably because you enjoy the sound that they make, accurate or not. Why then are you knocking Legacy speakers? For the record, I think they sound dreadful too, but someone out there might love the sound even though it is inaccurate. Lets try to stick to logic and avoid hypocrisy.
In addition to this fact (and going back to some of my earlier posts in this thread) is my contention that the average audiophile is not honest with himself; he is either not seeking accuracy or, most often, has no idea what accuracy is. What then is the standard for purchasing new equipment? How about greed, lust and envy of anothers possession for a start. People complain about $1000 machined aluminum face plates and silly blue LEDs, yet the high-end masses purchase them. The amount of times Ive read the phrase Pride of ownership on these pages disgusts me.
So whats wrong with knocking a $9500 Hovland that measures like an Onkyo receiver? You are entitled to say that it doesnt perform like it should and its grossly overpriced, but to make such a big fuss over this particular piece in this sad day and age in high end audio seems silly when people are paying $1000/watt in so many other products. Why on earth should Hovland reduce the asking price for this amplifier (or Legacy for their speakers or ANYONE in high end audio for that matter)? That will only result in less people buying it because the sound of a component is rarely the number one criteria in purchasing equipment in high end audio. And why on earth should Hovland or Legacy take the time to perfect their product when that wont result in increased sales either? They are running a business and the high end audiophile community allows them (I would say encourages them) to continue running it as such. Im just happy that many people who buy this are going to experience that warm fuzzy feeling known as pride of ownership that they simply would be missing out on by purchasing an amplifier for half of the price that out performs theirs in everyway.
Yes, a lot of new gear sucks. But it is the audiophile community as a whole that has created this situation and we are only making it worse. If you choose to make a stand now, abide by logic, avoid hypocrisy and you may see others follow your lead.