Wharfedale Elysian 4 Incredible build quality and sound, but made in China.

@mahgister

That’s an economics, history and politics lecture I never got at university.

Quite right, despite appearances it’s not a question of us and them.

It’s no longer even the UK v the US, or the US v China, or even Pepsi v Coke, McDonalds v KFC etc.

It’s more of a question of some very big fish swallowing the smaller fish. International borders have little to do with it, and neither do monopoly regulations any more.

Nevertheless, today’s consumer is not compelled to buy cheaper or to pay more and buy local, but if it makes them feel better, more patriotic then they can do so.

When I bought my first amplifier, the NAD 3020, I didn’t really have that much choice. It was the only one that I could afford back then. Everything else seemed to cost quite a bit more.

It’s quite remarkable that I could today buy amplifier with all the trimmings, Bluetooth 5, remote control etc for LESS money than I paid for that NAD.

And that’s without adjusting for inflation!

So it’s actually gratifying that the consumer has never had as much choice as today.

Okay, it’s mainly all online nowadays...but we can no more uninvent the internet now than we can uninvent the the silicone chip or the transitor or the valve or digital audio etc.

And no amount of nostalgia or living in the past can help either.

In today’s world most of us are small fish desperately trying to swim with the irresistible tide.

I dont complain about the choices, but beware that the Hyperinflation created by the Hubris of some destroyed our choices , and the incoming created war because of total lack of conciousness can kill consumers choices too...

I am not a luddite about the computer or A. I. but we must be blind and deaf to not became conscious of the cost we will pay in freedom and in our soul life...

Why the choices of the american consumers are more costly and not so well accessible right now  , we eat too, and i dont speak about amplifiers here, and why there is a decline of the  life  span in north america with the more costly health system and the more advanced in the world ?

Saying as some that all is perfect for the time being is stay blind..

I am optimist for the next 50 years... Not for now...

Myself being interested only in books and music i never was so happy in all my life...The internet save me... But it does not means that all internet effect and consequences and incoming A. I. will be good...

Eliminate first corporate psychopaths and big monopoly on food energy and pharmas and heaven will come on earth... Not before...

And those who think that there is positive in these entities forget that the devil deal is plenty of positive gifts, but you pay it with your blood and soul you are put UNDER control ... And i dont say it as bible zealot say it for those who think i am a luddite bible reader...I am not...

So it’s actually gratifying that the consumer has never had as much choice as today.

Okay, it’s mainly all online nowadays...but we can no more uninvent the internet now than we can uninvent the the silicone chip or the transitor or the valve or digital audio etc.

And no amount of nostalgia or living in the past can help either.

In today’s world most of us are small fish desperately trying to swim with the irresistible tide.

@cd318 Did you regret selling the NAD 3020? It's a very celebrated amp. I wish I could find one in my area. But I got to stop collecting vintage Hi-fi amps... It's cool that if you own a NAD 3020, its value will only increase over time. 

@kokakolia 

Absolutely I do. It was one the worst decisions I ever made. I took it to one of one of those cash exchange stores and got back a pittance (£20 I think).

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

It wasn't taking up too much space and owning 2 amps is not particularly excessive.

@mahgister 

Eliminate first corporate psychopaths and big monopoly on food energy and pharmas and heaven will come on earth... Not before...

For all of your great insight and knowledge you are still a romantic at heart.

Alas, the history of this world clearly suggests something different.

It's true that nothing was ever given without a fight first. However to paraphrase General Georg S Patton, we sometimes fought the wrong fight against the wrong enemy.

Yes i am a romantic but not without mathematical clarity ...I like so much Goethe because he was a romantic silent and musical heart with a speaking brain and a geometrical gaze...

i am revolted by the absence of criticism in all official medias about the fact that health policy on earth is in the hand of an oligarch non elected who know nothing about health... Then i dont know about you but i dont see anything well before the demise of these egoistics monsters...

And if i spoke more i will be banned from here... Truth does not exist in north america save in the usual convenient way ....

For all of your great insight and knowledge you are still a romantic at heart.

Alas, the history of this world clearly suggests something different.

It’s true that nothing was ever given without a fight first. However to paraphrase General Georg S Patton, we sometimes fought the wrong fight against the wrong enemy.