2. cables
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Are audiophiles still out of their minds?

I've been in this hobby for 30 years and owned many gears throughout the years, but never that many cables.  I know cables can make a difference in sound quality of your system, but never dramatic like changing speakers, amplifiers, or even more importantly room treatment. Yes, I've evaluated many vaunted cables at dealers and at home over the years, but never heard dramatic effect that I would plunk $5000 for a cable. The most I've ever spent was $2700 for pair of speaker cables, and I kinda regret it to this day.  So when I see cable manufacturers charging 5 figures for their latest and "greatest" speaker cables, PC, and ICs, I have to ask myself who buys this stuff. Why would you buy a $10k+ cable, when there are so many great speakers, amplifiers, DACs for that kind of money, or room treatment that would have greater effect on your systems sound?  May be I'm getting ornery with age, like the water boy says in Adam Sandler's movie.
dracule1
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
An audiophile is someone who has found out the hard way that going from Redbook CD to 20 bit CD to 24 bit CD and going to higher sampling rates to SACD and even Blu Ray and hi res downloads doesn’t necessarily guarantee you will actually realize an increase in sound quality. The problem is finding a system that has the resolution, bandwidth and dynamic range capability to explore what you’ve already got, even with the humble and abused Redbook format. Not to mention all the audiophile tricks to improve Redbook and any other digital format performance.

cheers,

GK, MD

mitch2
4,044 posts
 
grm said,
"What is the definition of a genuine Audiophile? I'm new to this hobby and entered it believing its about the music and to a lesser degree the playback hardware and wires. I have spent more on my music collection than on my system. I definitely get more excited about a great recording than on a new piece of wire"
grm, good for you.  Don't worry about becoming a "genuine Audiophile."  Instead, go listen to and/or buy some more music....you will be happier. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
mitch2
1,270 posts
06-26-2016 12:23pm
grm said,
"What is the definition of a genuine Audiophile? I'm new to this hobby and entered it believing its about the music and to a lesser degree the playback hardware and wires. I have spent more on my music collection than on my system. I definitely get more excited about a great recording than on a new piece of wire"
grm, good for you. Don't worry about becoming a "genuine Audiophile." Instead, go listen to and/or buy some more music....you will be happier."

I'm afraid that ship has sailed. He's got Krell and Sonus Faber. Hel-loo!

;-)

almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
It appears to me that in the initial reference to "genuine audiophile" the poster was simply using the word "genuine" to mean something along the lines of "sincere." In other words, in contrast to an audiophile who is attempting to disguise an interest in promoting a product.

Regards,
-- Al

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

almarg
6,489 posts
06-26-2016 12:53pm
"It appears to me that in the initial reference to "genuine audiophile" the poster was simply using the word "genuine" to mean something along the lines of "sincere." In other words, in contrast to an audiophile who is attempting to disguise an interest in promoting a product."

That’s odd. It seems pretty clear that is NOT what he means. But I think I understand why YOU would say so. I have long maintained that it might be helpful to wear name tags that identify the wearer as a troll (T) or shill (S). ;-)

geoff kait

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