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How Do You Live The Audiophile Life

I don’t really have the credentials to be on Audiogon. Kef Q150s and new NAD equipment that replaced my stalwart Arcam Solo. Maybe I can peek over the fence.
So I’ve have a question about the new equipment. I’m browsing the forums, looking for an answer. I know as much as about audio as anyone who isn’t an audiophile. But I was astonished at the number of brands I’d never heard of. And I know the price of the stuff I have heard of.
I’m in NYC. Maybe there’s five high-end dealers here. I’m guessing that number drops off quickly once you cross the Hudson.
This is a long winded way to ask how you live the audiophile life? How do you get access to this stuff? I’d want to hear something before dropping a car-like sum on it. Do you buy blind? Do you travel? Go to the industry shows? Help me, teach me, inform me.
I guess this question applies to speakers as well. Maybe more so. But I was in the amplifier section so . . .
paul6001
wolf_garcia
6,737 posts
 
Read reviews and, especially with speakers, listen before you buy. I made that mistake a couple of years ago when I talked myself into a pair of well regarded relatively high efficiency speakers that couldn't cut the mustard when compared to the less efficient speakers I already owned...being driven by a 12wpc little tube amp (why I wanted higher efficiency). Sold the new speakers, and listened to a pair of Klipsch Heresy IIIs...bought 'em and really like those...99db efficiency. 

To live the "audiophile life" you must own a smoking jacket and those Gucci loafers, at least two sporty cars, a stash of various whiskeys, and be prepared to spend hours alone admiring your belongings and understanding what Estoril Blue is.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The quality of the question you ask, determines the quality of the answer you receive. Quality question, Quality answers...

Bingo!

Also, do you hang around and act interested, or post some spur of the moment random thoughts and bail?


tooblue
1,954 posts
 
Feet proped up, black Russian in hand, brownie on the side, spinning vinyl. Thanks for asking. Enjoy the music
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Actual video of millercarbon living the audiophile life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo11SqLmuGc
paul6001 OP
98 posts
 
Lots of interesting responses. Great to read the variety of viewpoints. Thank you.

(Notably Stereobuyers in Brooklyn. Do they sell? Their site seems to be all about buying. I love a deal. Got the NAD stuff refurbished and couldn't have been happier.)

There was a bit of misunderstanding about my question. I don't have audiophile ambitions. I'm thrilled where I am. I can't believe how much the equipment has improved for the money. Those KEF Q150s were $500. The last time I went shopping, 10-12 years ago, I believe that level of sound quality would be $5,000 in a much bigger box.

I'm more interested in the mechanics of the high-end life. I want to peek behind the velvet curtain. I've got 20K to drop on an amp. Where do I go, what do I see?

Someone above mentioned Kerr and Monopulse in the same post. I never heard of either one. Granted, if I did enough reading, I would know all about them. But finding them must be like finding a rare jewel. How do I listen to them? Do companies with high prices and low turnover send their private plane to pick me up? 

Let me add one more point that may be of interest. Maybe this should be a separate discussion. I run with a fairly fast lane, yuppie-ish, New York crowd. (Albeit, one that has been slowed down by the arrival of children.) I'm the only person I know with a serious set-up. Everyone else listens to Alexa or plugs their phone into something. If these people aren't buying stereos, who is? Whither good sound?
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