I fully agree with Slappy (Yuk! I normally disagree with everyone on everything. Maybe I'm getting old......). If people buy something that you think is crap, but they are happy with it, is it your job to make them unhappy and tell them they've thrown away a pile of money? Maybe, but you won't have much friends in the end.... And maybe WE are the crazy ones, spending a lot of cash on stupid things like cables, powerconditioners etc., when the same amount of money can get you a decent trip to Disneyworld with the kids. So if people ask my advice I give it to them, and if they buy something else I visit them, compliment them with their good choice and, to get even, drink all their booze and eat all their food.....
It's No Fun Being a Guru Anymore
I would be curious to hear everyone's opinion on this -- somthing that probably happens to all of you as often as it happens to me.
Years ago, when systems seems more oriented towards MUSIC, it was flattering and fun to help friends choose equipment. Choose music, choose equipment, sit down, enjoy.
Today, however, it just seems like a nightmare and fraught with potential problems. Or is it just me?
Last night, I visited a friend of a friends new apartment in mid renovation -- a beautiful pre-war high ceilinged apartment near Park Avenue in New York where he has happily spent a zillion dollars on everything.
And here is the exciting news on the state of his audio/video plans:
He is requesting:
1)bookshelf speakers in a study/library, approx 8x12
2)unobtrusive speakers in living room, possibly near ceiling and possibly with subwoofer, approx 14x20
3)a second pair of bookshelf speakers in a kitchen/den area, approx 18x20
Here's is where it gets interesting: (NOT!)
He thinks he can use a 10ish year old YAMAHA AVR-75 receiver and a similarly low end SONY DVD/CD/Video CD player to drive EVERYTHING.
And the dealer who gave him a $10,000 proposal has encouraged him!
So the proposed solution is:
Keep the existing yamaha components and add:
1)Fujitsu HD plasma screen in kitchen/den area
2)$900 flattish speakers that hang off the plasma screen
3)An $800 Denon A/V receiver to drive these speakers and possibly the second pair of bookshelf speakers in the kitchen/den area
4) Hundreds of $$$ more on stuff I've never heard of, including programming his remote to receive Timewarner cable, and an ARTICULATING arm to swing the TV off the wall and over the kitchen table. Am I just getting too old or is this a JOKE?
I would say $10,000 or more later, this will sound like CRAP, in EVERY ROOM.
Despite the cheesey garden variety home theatre "solution" there has been no mention of surround sound or a subwoofer for the plasma system.
So my first thought would be to listen to TV and DVD through a decent pair of proper speakers in just stereo and junk the flat speakers that mount on the TV.
But I really dont even know where to begin.
He is actually a nice guy with a nice wife and I would like to help, so if anyone has any ideas or advice, please let me know ASAP.
Years ago, when systems seems more oriented towards MUSIC, it was flattering and fun to help friends choose equipment. Choose music, choose equipment, sit down, enjoy.
Today, however, it just seems like a nightmare and fraught with potential problems. Or is it just me?
Last night, I visited a friend of a friends new apartment in mid renovation -- a beautiful pre-war high ceilinged apartment near Park Avenue in New York where he has happily spent a zillion dollars on everything.
And here is the exciting news on the state of his audio/video plans:
He is requesting:
1)bookshelf speakers in a study/library, approx 8x12
2)unobtrusive speakers in living room, possibly near ceiling and possibly with subwoofer, approx 14x20
3)a second pair of bookshelf speakers in a kitchen/den area, approx 18x20
Here's is where it gets interesting: (NOT!)
He thinks he can use a 10ish year old YAMAHA AVR-75 receiver and a similarly low end SONY DVD/CD/Video CD player to drive EVERYTHING.
And the dealer who gave him a $10,000 proposal has encouraged him!
So the proposed solution is:
Keep the existing yamaha components and add:
1)Fujitsu HD plasma screen in kitchen/den area
2)$900 flattish speakers that hang off the plasma screen
3)An $800 Denon A/V receiver to drive these speakers and possibly the second pair of bookshelf speakers in the kitchen/den area
4) Hundreds of $$$ more on stuff I've never heard of, including programming his remote to receive Timewarner cable, and an ARTICULATING arm to swing the TV off the wall and over the kitchen table. Am I just getting too old or is this a JOKE?
I would say $10,000 or more later, this will sound like CRAP, in EVERY ROOM.
Despite the cheesey garden variety home theatre "solution" there has been no mention of surround sound or a subwoofer for the plasma system.
So my first thought would be to listen to TV and DVD through a decent pair of proper speakers in just stereo and junk the flat speakers that mount on the TV.
But I really dont even know where to begin.
He is actually a nice guy with a nice wife and I would like to help, so if anyone has any ideas or advice, please let me know ASAP.
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- 18 posts total
- 18 posts total