WHY IS THERE SO MUCH HATE FOR THE HIGH END GEAR ON AUDIO GEAR?


It seems like when I see comments on high end gear there is a lot of negativity. I have been an audiophile for the last 20 years. Honestly, if you know how to choose gear and match gear a lot of the high end gear is just better. When it comes to price people can charge what they want for what they create. If you don’t want it. Don’t pay for it. Look if you are blessed to afford the best bear and you can get it. It can be very sonically pleasing. Then do it. Now if you are also smart and knowledgeable you can get high end sound at mid-fi prices then do it. It’s the beauty of our our hobby. To build a system that competes with the better more expensive sounding systems out there. THOUGHTS?

calvinj

bob70 I had that eight track player that you referred to which I lovingly installed in my 1969 Plymouth Fury. The sound quality was- loud- and glorious to my then acute ears. Felt like the Allman Brothers were in my backseat. 

has anyone defined "high end" for purposes of this discussion? Seems impossible, since the term is inherently relative. I enjoy my system, and have stretched financially to make upgrades from time to time. Yet, for some the cost of my system would be immaterial . Those folks can, if they choose, put together a system that would far exceed the quality of mine. I understand that you generally get what you pay for and it doesn't make me jealous that there are components I will never be able to afford. My system brings me joy actually listening to music which is a lot more important to me than what someone posts a on some forum. I think it's about taking your budget, whatever that may be, and putting together a well matched system, that makes you happy. This is not a competition 

those that make it so should take some time for quiet reflection 

@scottwheel  Here we go again. If you do not notice the differences, so be it.

There is no need to convince others that they are "delusional", just annoying.

I did not say anyone was delusional. I hear the same differences in non level matched, non time synchronized, non quick switching, non bias controlled comparisons as you and everyone else does. But the accept the science that tells why we perceive those differences when no actual differences in the sound exist. If that objective information conflicts with your beliefs it’s up to you how you want to reconcile it. Personally I want to know what really happened s audible and what is a byproduct of flawed auditioning. That informs my choices. 

@scottwheel i disagree. But I’m perfectly fine with how you feel about your audio experiences. But to tell us that cables and amplification doesn’t make a difference and that our auditioning is flawed is where I think a lot of audiophiles say that there is either hate against the high end or even those that have found ways to achieve those results for less money is where you lose me. Basically either you lack the hearing or experience to tell the difference is what most think about people that feel the way you do. I think when someone tells others that have been in this 20 or 30 years that it is simply flawed auditioning despite the fact that different materials, shielding , processes and building methods are used and that it makes 0 audible difference just doesn’t make sense to most of us and even in a scientific measurement camp that doesn’t make sense to us. I’m just saying. Not bashing you but the way you explained your points is exactly why we feel the opposite. Materials, processes, technology  and build quality make a difference period. 

Oh, come on already.

I'm at the point where I refuse to deal with anyone who says they can't hear a difference in cables, power cords, fuses, etc...

Of course they do.

It's the same old thing, over and over and over and over.