Hearing about that makes me sad. We read all the time about the death of hifi in the US, and it’s blamed on iPods, the Internet, Spotify, and people’s shortened attention spans.
But maybe it’s also the ramp-up of prices in audio. Even the less expensive but well-known lines like Bryston and Parasound are increasing their prices far faster than inflation. That surely discourages many potential buyers; the inflation-adjusted US median income has barely moved in about 20 years. Who knows what it will look like in the next couple, with the impact of COVID-19?
I do think that $10k power cords make audio hobbyists look stupid. What’s important (to me, and I know to many others) in our hobby is the MUSIC. That depends on the musicians, on a chain of people and equipment throughout the recording process, and finally on the hifi system in your home. A jewel-encrusted power cord may make a difference, but does it really make the music better on a range of recordings? That’s not been my experience.
My hat’s off to companies like Schiit, who produce well-performing gear without a lot of nonsense at a price most people can afford.
Not to take away from Magico’s accomplishments; but I’d rather see more manufacturers in the Schiit space than the Magico space.
But maybe it’s also the ramp-up of prices in audio. Even the less expensive but well-known lines like Bryston and Parasound are increasing their prices far faster than inflation. That surely discourages many potential buyers; the inflation-adjusted US median income has barely moved in about 20 years. Who knows what it will look like in the next couple, with the impact of COVID-19?
I do think that $10k power cords make audio hobbyists look stupid. What’s important (to me, and I know to many others) in our hobby is the MUSIC. That depends on the musicians, on a chain of people and equipment throughout the recording process, and finally on the hifi system in your home. A jewel-encrusted power cord may make a difference, but does it really make the music better on a range of recordings? That’s not been my experience.
My hat’s off to companies like Schiit, who produce well-performing gear without a lot of nonsense at a price most people can afford.
Not to take away from Magico’s accomplishments; but I’d rather see more manufacturers in the Schiit space than the Magico space.