2. misc-audio
  3. 1408168461

Is high-end audio dying, if not dead already???

Without sounding like the mad prophet of the airwaves, I think high-end audio is in its death throes. I would like to hear other opinions on this issue, but I think it is time to raise the question and also some hell as to what is happening to the high end audio and audio in general.

Here's why: Most of the major audio publications spend a great deal of time on romancing the "absolute" fidelity of computer audio and music that is digitally processed. On the other hand, you have critics, reviewers, celebrating the comeback of vinyl, analog, and turntables. The mantra goes: "it really does sound better, like real music", so chuck out your CD player, and buy a $5000 analog rig, and have fun again cleaning, preserving (a medium) searching record huts worldwide for pristine vinyl gems. Maybe, there are some shellac gems out there also

It seems the CD format has "OUTLIVED" its usefulness in the pursuit of the absolute sound because its technology and soft ware has never convincingly improved. It is like the BB King tune "the thrill is gone" or saying kids let's just change the channel for something more exciting and new.

High-end audio seems to now ( as the old joke goes)require a degree in engineering or rocket science to understand the circuitous (bad pun) route to audio nirvana. Equipment has gotten more expensive over the last 15 years, under the pretext that the electronic functions have increased and become more complicated. Take a look at the back of a 5 channel receiver or amp, or home theater receiver, a digital processor, etc. and you will see the future of audio. It might be easier to hook up a heart and lung machine.

Ironically, as high end audio and audio in general evolves, the music industry delivers more shit to the public's ears, Geez, I never knew that in order to really enjoy Shakira, JZ, Pharell, and the rest of the talentless trash discovered and pushed by American Idol, The Voice,and the popular Mega media, would require hearing it in absolute sound.
sunnyjim
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
It seems like the more expensive a car is the less reliable it is. I have never understood this. I have a Honda Civic with 217k miles and it runs like a top.
Taters

It's all that over-engineering that kills them. I had a BMW Z4 a year ago. The thing had 60K miles on it and I had to replace the starter on it because I let it sit too long during the winter. I'll never buy another expensive car again. Why be bothered with that headache?

Well maybe a Lexus.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
More expensive cars are bigger and have more stuff in them. . The bigger and more stuff in anything, the more there is to break. And cost more to fix as well. Its all part of the club.
chayro
2,984 posts
 
That's why you don't buy expensive cars. You lease them and give them back in 3 years.
taters
1,149 posts
 
But then you are always making payments. You are never ahead of the game.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"10-21-14: Taters
A lot of the high-end is about ego. I can afford it and you can't."

I hear that one all the time but no one can ever give me an example. Most people have no idea that high end audio even exists. If someone wants to show off, there's other ways to do it than with audio equipment. I think its remotely possible that one could buy expensive gear just because they like the way it sounds, and no other reason.
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