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Sound Advice: 'Cost no object' on audio gear?

RE: Sound Advice: 'Cost no object' on audio gear? Be careful!!!

I was reading my local paper today (Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA) and was very surprised to see the article headline saying "Sound Advice: 'Cost no object' on audio gear? Be careful”.

It was very interesting for me to read about a pre-amp and dual mono amplifiers selling for $123,000 in my local paper. The writer (Don Lindich at www.soundadviceblog.com) talks about other equipment combinations that represent excellent value and performance he suggests to bring out the absolute best for someones Polk Speakers. He also states "While I caution against overspending on amplifiers, quality amplification is an investment that should last for decades and this combo is well worth the money".

I have no comment on how much someone was spends on an audio system. I just wanted to share the article with everyone and to report that high end audio is alive and well in my local newspaper. SEE:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/News/ci_27708927/Sound-Advice:-Cost-no-object-on-audio-gear?-Be-careful
hgeifman
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I agree with your last post, but you did say this.

"Specs are the only metrics one has to decide what to try when it comes to picking an amp for speakers or siource or preamp to use with an amp. You make a sound recommendation by matching specs."

To me, its sounds like a pretty rigid statement. If you didn't mean it as such, that's fine. Sometimes our posts don't always come out the way we intend them. But one thing I'll add to the specs issue is that I don't always trust them. When you are talking amp specs, there's no set standard the industry uses to measure in the first place. If, for example, you took 5 different amps from 5 different manufacturers all rated for the same power and measured them all the same way, you'll get different amounts for each amp.

So I think we both agree that specs can be used as a guide, but for best results listening tests should also be done.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Look, you want to buy a TV, right? You walk into the store And look at the TVs in your price range, maybe even some TVs that are way out of your price range, you know, just to see what the big deal is, right? Then you buy the best one you can afford, the one with the best picture quality of the ones you can afford. Not once do you look at specs. Audio is no different. You guys are just psyching yourselves out. Specifications are blinding you to the reality of the situation. Specifications are intended for those folks who cannot hear or who don't trust their hearing.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Well, not only that, but stores that sell TV's don't always tune them all the same. The TV's that the store would prefer to sell are usually set up the best, while the other ones may not get the same attention. You would be surprised at how many stores do this type of thing. Its a very common practice.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,981 posts
 
A tv is all self contained. Most stereo systems involve matching of components. Then there is the room and it's acoustics. Not as simple. That's the difference.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Z Man, that's an old wives tale. Sorry to burst your bubble, Bubba. Lol. I know what you're thinking, they go to a two week training course on how to set up the expensive TVs.
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