2. misc-audio
  3. 181163-181

Hi-end audio is a big zero

This is no knock on dealers, It's just how hi-end audio is.

I go listen to some speakers. He has them set up like crap - jammed between 3 other pair. Running on electronics I would never choose so I have to try and compensate for what I imagine they are contributing to the sound. Then after 30 minutes, I am expected to shell out the $4,500.00.

I narrowed it down to two transports from an online retailer. And who knows if those 2 are even a good choice?  Told point blank, I am not allowed to buy both and return the one I don''t want. Just pick one and buy it. Shell out $1,000-$3,500 based on what?

One e-tailer will allow purchase 3 speakers totally $12K and return the two I don't want. Sorry, i have a conscience and can't do it to him.

Read all you want. Talk all you want. Listen at dealers all you want. But unless you listen in your own room, it's all meaningless. I'm talking even just 5 to 30 minutes can be all it takes. But that is basically impossible.

Sure you can buy and sell on A-gon or Ebay if you find what you want have the time to go through the process.

If the prices weren't so high or I did not care about sound quality maybe it would not matter.

cdc
russbutton's avatar
russbutton
422 posts
 

This is a 1st World problem.  Y'all are buying your hi-fi gear the same way you buy your luxury cars.  I suppose a sense of entitlement goes with the crazy prices being spent on this stuff.

Years ago I went into an audio salon in Berkeley to audition DACs.  After about an hour of listening there, I settled on one.  They gave me a loaner for an overnight listen to confirm what I thought I was hearing and I made my purchase the next day.  What more does anyone need?  I'm still running that same DAC today and have no intention of changing it out.

The truth is that the audible differences are not huge, but the price tags are.  Instead of dropping thousands on minor differences, get something solid and reliable, and then spend the savings on concert tickets.

grislybutter
2,855 posts
 

@dayglow

wow, that’s the lamest, most self-defeating argument in the book :)

You could maybe top it with: "EVERYBODY KNOWS IT!"

 

for the factsy side of things: I have a lot of friends in Eastern Europe who do have incredible sounding systems for under 3K.

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

@dayglow the OP said $4500.00 for a component not an entire system. The rest of us got it why not you? 

Go back and read it. 

 

havocman
350 posts
 

you can still get great opinions from people on here but the bottom line is you could put that equipment in your room and it could sound awful so it still comes down to be able to audition stuff in your own room which a lot of dealers won't do anymore.

dayglow
1,850 posts
 

@jerryg123 My comment was not directed at the OP but to @grislybutter "People build incredible systems for $4500". Correction $3k in Eastern Europe(lol)!

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