Stereophile Article - Holt telling it like it is.

My solution to the spiraling cost of high-end gear and the hijacking of our hobby by the lunatics and nouveau riche is to rediscover the joys of playing the sax. There is simply no comparison between the timbre and freshness of my alto with its reproduction on my audio system. Afer listening to music for an hour or so on the stereo, I simply cannot wait to get down to the basement to play some more.

And the more time I put into my playing, the less time I feel like sitting in front of my stereo. Does this mean that I have lost touch with the neurosis that makes so many audiophiles easy marks for manufacturers and reviewers? I hope so.

Randy

I am curious does anyone know what gear Gordon Holt owns and currently uses at home? I know what speakers he uses already but I lost track of the other pieces after he left Stereophile. Given his strong opinions and vast experience and the fact that he has no affiliation anymore it might be interesting to compile a list of what does he use himself (rather than slam the baby boomer generation...)?

Or does nobody care...is Gordon completely irrelevant in todays audiophile world of "lush" and "sugar-coated" sound.

I know what speakers he uses already but I lost track of the other pieces after he left Stereophile.

Why don't you start with sharing what the speakers are?

JGH represents, IMHO, that group of folks around when HiFi was a group of DIY hobbists who had far more interest in 'sound' than in music. Train's and planes anyone? Lots of fun experimenting in those days.

His holy grail of 'live music' as a goal is virtually unobtainable and when seriously pursued only results in the expenditure of lots of money and frustration.

Todays 'hobby' is about collection and synergy which will result in a system which results in its owners satisfaction when listening. Its not about perfect replication about recorded sound....so what.

IMHO, JGH is in fact a frustrated old man why has see 'his' hobby devalued. Whats new! Lets talk about 'digital v film' 'dark room v computer' photography for examply. Personally I still like film and darkroom, but I ain't bitching about digital. I just bought a digital camera...and I love it (for what it does well). Ditto for many other hobbies and professions as well.