whats changed in audio & is it better

Mike:

The introduction of the web has produced some very real changes:

1. sped up a change that had been in process for the last 25 years ... there are less brick and mortar stores. The physical stores that remain are distinctively more high-end.
2. made more equipment from more manufacturers available for purchase. I "upgrade" far more quickly. I rarely use something until it falls apart.
3. permitted the consumer to buy from just about any dealer anywhere ... less dealer loyalty ... more difficult to enforce dealer territories.
4. allowed the enthusiast to spend increasingly more time devoted to this hobby.

I think back to the first real hi-fi system that I purchased in 1979 (Pioneer 636 receiver; Dual 1257 turntable; EPI 100 speakers). I had a choice of easily a dozen stores in Manhattan alone to listen to the equipment. Hi-Fi had broad appeal as a hobby and owning a good stereo was as important as owning a car. But at the same time, I was also limited in my choices, as I could only buy the brands that were available in these stores, as purchasing by mail was not something that a lot of people did. Getting a UPS or FedEx delivery, was fairly exotic and costly (a package courier by law had to affix first class postage to anything that was sent out). Not only was "list price" strictly enforced by dealers and manufacturers alike (Pioneer spent millions litigating this in the courts), but so were dealer territories.

As late as 1995, if I wanted to buy ADCOM or KEF, I had to go to Harvey's. If I wanted to buy EPOS, I had to go to Sound by Singer. Right now, if I wanted to buy a pair of EPOS ESL3 speakers, I can think of at least 5 places to purchase them without leaving my chair.

Lastly, I can and do spend many hours on-line immersed in this hobby. I am not limited to a handful of monthly magazines or speaking with my buddies to keep abreast of things.

It's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall the web has made the hobby better.

Regards, Rich

The internet and Audiogon are a double edged sword. There's a lot more information readily available, but the quality of that info can be very questionable. I firmly believe that a newcomer to high end audio is better served by a good full service dealer than wading into the forums at audiogon. For the experienced hobbyist the situation is reversed.

One thing I've noticed on Audiogon is that someone will ask about a specific piece of equipment and a typical response is "it's great, I had it for a year before changing to something else that I had before putting together my current rig". The internet has lead to greater equipment experimentation, but I really wonder if it has led to greater consumer satisfaction. Constantly swapping equipment is great if you're an equipment junkie, but it's a pain if all you want to do is listen to music.

Tons of information, almost endless options/selection, greater and immediate access, and an outlet for selling that is affordable and offers great exposure

the demise of the neighborhood stereo shop was happening when less than 2% of consumers where using the web to shop. it is estmimated that 35% will use the web (instead of brick and mortar) this christmas, and for electronics 'in general' it could exceed 50%. Unfortunity the store-fronts out there in america have wound up being demo outlets, where products are auditioned and not bought. in that respect its sad. the biggest thrill i ever had was(around 1974) comparing the large advent (in a shop that had speakers ten times as much on hand) to the epi 100...like my life depended on it. i remember the clerk telling me that there were speakers 'bigger' and 'more expensive' than both those two jewels, but there their were none 'cooler'.at that moment in time who could argue.

My system is a hybrid of store-bought and internet-bought pieces. These forums are helpful as starting points, but the store is the only place to listen and audition, usually. One exception to this was the Odyssey Extreme monos, which were posted for sale by a member who lived in the adjoining city and could therefore be auditioned. I have mostly eschewed faith-based internet purchases for components, with the exception of a Rotel Preamp and Dodson DAC I bought, which turned out to be a fabulous purchase. I did purchase the Odyssey Tempest Extreme preamp directly, brand new, from Klaus, but only after a great experience with his amplifiers. Cables have been purchased mainly, but not exclusively, on the web.

I agree with Onhwy61 regarding the usefulness of consulting with a dealer for neophytes, but would add that if you are fortunate enough to have one or more great ones (like I have been), then the dealer is extremely helpful for the more advanced audiophile as well. It would not have been possible to assemble my current system without the help of Duane, a dealer. Wanting his store to remain in existence and prosper, I have made purchases there accordingly. I have not auditioned pieces in the store and then purchased identical units on the internet. Overall, the majority of my dollars were spent in brick and mortar stores, with the internet playing an important but nevertheless adjunctive role. For me, I think that was quicker, easier and smarter in the long run.

Things can look great on paper and be favorably reviewed, but sound horrible. I had such an experience once with respect to loudspeakers. The discordance between my trumped up expectations and the reality of the audition (I went to the company to listen) was astonishing, and in a very bad way. There's no way to learn this about any component of a sound system without listening for yourself. That requires a store, with smart, honest and helpful people, like Duane.