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Art Dudley Calls B.S. but without naming names - PLEASE DO!

Hey all,

As someone who hasn't been reading the audiophile press for all that long, I stumbled upon this article that I'm sure it lit up these airwaves when it was first published: https://www.stereophile.com/content/skin-deep

It's a great article and one that any knowledgeable person would most likely agree with, but hey, spending your own hard-earned (or inherited) money is a right and a privilege.  Art does call out some brands that he perceives to give great value:  AMVR, VPL, Conrad-Johnson, DeVore and Harbeth and Kimber and Peachtree and Quicksilver and Rega and Rogue and Spendor and Wavelength.  Shouldn't NAD be on this list?  

But what he doesn't do and I think is warranted, is name the companies that are most egregious in selling high-end products where the performance is far below the cost.  

I, for one, would love to see a list of those manufacturers from the people who read this forum.  You can group them by what they manufacture or just put them in order as you see fit.  I think it would be most helpful in calling b.s. but with "added-value", which is what this whole article was all about.  Right?

lgoler
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Come the Revolution ...
jim204
881 posts
 
I really don’t think most people who produce good hi fi are in the frame of mind to rat on the less than wholesome other people who charge outrageous amounts for fear of litigation.
mrdecibel
3,067 posts
 
@lgoler I apologize. FYI, I was one who wanted to help you. As far as audio gear being to expensive, look at the homes, automobiles, boats, planes, wines, clothing, jewelry, etc., that the wealthy can afford. Even the pure breed pets they purchase ( I adopt ).The reviewers I follow ( just about all of them ), have too much class to berate or slander a product or manufacturer. And yes, NAD, Parasound, Belles, and Odyssey, just to name a few, sell equipment at a reasonable cost vs. their performance. @roberjerman .......As I have said before, your opinions do not matter to me in the least. Lashing out at me because I spend money on better power cords and fuses for my gear, and called you on it. Well, again childish on your part. I know of some people ( they used to be clients of mine ) who will purchase those amps. Some to attain a higher level of enjoyment, and admittedly, some as a status quo. When money is no object, who are we to judge. I certainly do not have that kind of money, nor do I have enough to " have a 2nd home ", as lgoler, and others. What I do know, is that I joined the ’Gon years ago to share, and learn, about my passion of recorded music, and the means to achieve better results. I believe audio is, to an extent, scientific, but the final results are always in the listening. My ears are my gift, and folks like you are an embarrassment ( again, imo ), and are nothing but trolls. So, enjoy ! MrD.
rlb61
792 posts
 
The maxim of caveat emptor applies here. Anyone with half of an audiophile brain can determine value versus gauging. It’s "audiophools," those who have lots of money to burn and don’t really understand audio or the concept of value, who are the real suckers and buy the pet rocks of the hi-end. Products where cost far exceeds performance or value are fairly obvious based on the laws of price and diminishing returns. So, there’s really no need to identify the offending manufacturers because: (a) those of us experienced in audio already know who they are; (b) those with tons of money are likely to buy from them anyway, regardless of reality, due to a need to consume conspicuously; and (c) those who are inexperienced in audio and/or who have limited funds couldn’t afford or wouldn’t buy the products in any event.
tooblue
1,965 posts
 
@lgoler , let me commend you for your response to @mrdecibel  and now let me commend @mrdecibel  for his apology to you, for some reason that was setting up to be ugly and the both of you made it a positive, I tip my hat to you both.
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