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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
phcollie's avatar
phcollie
342 posts
 
1. Read, Read and then Read. This helped to gain the knowledge to understand what I was listening for.
2. Listen, Listen and Listen. Practicing by listening to tracks that have been described in detailed reviews helped me become a better listener...even though I played music for years as a young man.
3. Purchase quality used gear that has been well treated. This enables you to punch far above budget.
4. For me, waiting until after the divorce to buy quality gear. Best system protection available. ;)


cd318
2,636 posts
 
wolf_garcia,

"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."


Yes, and you will find plenty of good examples at most shows. There's normally also an impressive turnout in the car park.

Still, you get a good social mix of people, ok mostly men, all coming from different backgrounds, converging for a common purpose.

The hardest part is often breaking the ice with people, but each one will have a story.
paul6001 OP
98 posts
 
Do you have to show the dealers the loafers before they will sell to you?

What is Estoril Blue?
paul6001 OP
98 posts
 
Do you bargain? I mean, if you're spending 20K on something, you'd usually bargain. That's a car and you would certainly bargain over that price. If the sticker price of the amp is 20K, can you offer 18K? Or is that gauche beyond all imagination?
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Watch this. Pay attention to the details. Down to varying the amount of silver in the solder from point to point in the component. The point is not to push Raven. The point is to drive home just how very different things have to be in order to make a product and have it compete on its own merits without mass market advertising. At the same time notice that while not cheap this level of quality is real world affordable. This is the real world. Just a different one than you're used to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcd76DZmbdY&t=300s
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