What is wrong with Audiophiles?

Yes, it does sound familiar. Too familiar. That list looks like it comes from the Wikipedia page for “How to spot a Cargo Cultist?”

I understand your attempted analogy, but the $400K Ford GT has some verifiable, significant and usable differences compared to the Fiesta.  At issue is whether the $70K audio cable provides any audible difference compared to a much less expensive cable, in any audio system, even a $1million dollar system.  While an aspect of the $400K is "jewellery", the most significant aspect of it is not.  With the $70K audio cable, there is no verified evidence that it provides superior audio, and hence most of the price is "jewellery". There is little evidence it advances the state of the art or that there is trickle down effect in technology.

If you are someone who likes audio jewellery, AND you won $70mil, sure you may be tempted to spend $70K on a cable. If you are someone who is focused just on the quality of sound above all else, then I doubt you would be tempted.


Contrary to what many on here claim, I don't see a whole lot of envy of someone able to spend $70K on a cable, no more than I see envy that results in insults for someone spending $400K on a Ferrari, or $1.9mil on a Bugatti. Heck, you don't see much of that at all on someone spending $20K+ on a Rolex either .... but if you start to claim that your $20K+ Rolex keeps better time than someone else's $50 atomic clock linked Casio, then don't be surprised when someone calls you out on it.

andy2750 posts11-18-2019 12:31pmI understand where OP is coming from. But from another perspective, there are a lot of people with a lot of money. For those who are driving Toyota Corolla, they probably have the same feeling toward those who are buying a $19 million dollar Bugatti Chiron or even a $350K Ferrari.  

I on the other hand appreciate those who willing to do the research to make a $70K cables. It's the human spirits we should celebrate. It's what advances the human race. It's like Ford selling a $18 thousand dollar Fiesta but also at the same time selling a $400 thousand dollar Ford GT. I am sure the company selling the $70K cables also selling some low end cables that people can afford at 800 dollar. 

atdavid"With the $70K audio cable, there is no verified evidence that it provides superior audio, and hence most of the price is "jewellery".

This is one of the grandest, boldest, most illogical arguments ever made in this esteemed audio forum. Having already claimed "there is no verified evidence," our contributor then feels entitled, justified, and safe is pronouncing one of his Special Conclusions: " Most of the price is jewelry." Nonsense!

There is actually substantial, significant, abundant, evidence regarding the performance and sonic characteristics of this cable but it’s not the type of evidence atdavid can grasp or digest his style is to assess all evidence unilaterally, e.g. "This evidence here is repeatable and verifiable; that evidence over there is unscientific" so of course he alone decides what is "valid" and what is not.

Of course nothing stops atdavid from collecting, assessing, and analyzing his own evidence and then presenting it to the forum for review, and discussion but if he were to do aactually do that then his position hear as a Determiner of Truth would be lessened and diminished!

Repeatable! Verifiable! Testable! This is his refrain and all he’ll say if you don’t meet his demands or requirements is something like "Oh it’s fine if you want to waste you’re money just don’t make claims about how it sounds unless you want me to attempt one of my public humiliations against you here!"

Rolex keeps better time than someone else's $50 atomic clock linked Casio, then don't be surprised when someone calls you out on it.

Don't put words in my mouth lols,  I never said anything about the Rolex lols.  Already you failed in your first attempt.  

With the $70K audio cable, there is no verified evidence that it provides superior audio, and hence most of the price is "jewellery"

I could think of a few things ... I'll roll it up like a pretty little necklace and wear it on my neck to show it off lols.  And maybe go to a wedding with it lols.

$400K on a Ferrari, or $1.9mil on a Bugatti

Actually that's $19mil Bugatti, not $1.9mil :-)  Extra zero's make me horny.  Your list really got in my way lols.