Is live reproduction the goal of audio?

C5150: you lost me bro'. Sorry but my puny brain can't cope with your exposition on boiled steak.

Hey we're in this particular universe at this time, who knows where or what universe we might end up in the next moment? But art, and especially music, that exists in time, frequency and dynamic range is the most kinetic of all art forms. There is no spatial element to boiled steak, dynamic range and maybe time to chew and injest, but the frequency response is very limited. And one bite may be as boring or exciting as the next.

I don't think one needs to spend $100,000 or even $10,000 to achieve sonic satisfaction, but earbuds with MP3 lossy encoding plain SUCKS and I can hear it and detest it. So don't tell me that your iPOD is nirvana, cause I won't buy it. And I'll tell you something else, when all those kids with their earbuds and iPODs do grow up and realize what they're missing, they'll be stocking up on those horrible boat anchor amps and good speakers simply becuase they SOUND BETTER.

Definitely go for the industry standard green dumpster. 9 out of 10 professional sanitation engineers can't be wrong! You can tenderize your steak before you boil it using the sledge hammer. When it's done, throw it all in there with the Bose speakers and we'll have us a little piece of heaven in a dumpster served-up Audiophile style! 5-star chefs will turn their backs, while Ferarri mechanics try to figure out where the engine is, but we'll all be happy cause we've got everything we need in that green dumpster.

I don't need anyone to tell me what I should like C5150. Specialists, critics, 5-star pros, Oprah, nor the Pope have no clue as to what makes me tick, or what I enjoy...shit, Oprah doesn't even know me, and the last time the Pope was over he fell asleep on the couch and snored all night. If I go out and buy the latest list of Records to Die For from the recent Stereophile I could almost guarandamntee you I'll dislike more than half of them. If I go out and watch all the movies that Siskel and Roper give a thumbs up to...well that'd probably be just about everything they review...there would certainly be quite a few I'd dislike. You may have some magical technique to cook steak, but it ain't necessarily gonna' make everyone happy. Critics may agree....top professionals in the field even...unimpeachable authorities may make declarations to end all declarations...none of it will matter cause you or me or anyone on this list will experience it in a unique way, whatever it may be. Shoot, just take a look at any of the hundreds of threads that ask the question "What is the best __________" and take a gander at the wide variety in the list of answers. I want to start a thread asking simply, "What is the best answer?!"

Agree with Stevecham about the MP3/iPod combo...you can keep it, and better pick up a bottle of Advil if you plan on listening to it for any length of time. The op-amp in iPod leaves much to be desired. Line-out is not nearly as bad - if you go into a good headphone amp, use WAV or Apple Lossless and some good cans, you've got something quite listenable. Still, I'd trade the combo for a nice solid boat anchor with a good DAC and speakers any day. Ahoy matey! Blast yer' scuppers! Haul in the mizzenmast! Weigh anchor, we're off to sea!

Marco

I 'm not telling you what you should like guys. I'm telling you should have fun and enjoy your systems . Just don't call it audiophile. It has a definite definition that's all I am saying. You have what is called lifestyle systems. Your living rooms plus a hi-fi set up. Not to be confused with audiophile. It is living room plus cool.

Sorry if you take it wrong.

I hate the ipod too. But it does blow away old generation products ...when comparing apple to apple.

Ok i'll try again steak man.

Do you guys own frying pans. ? Do you own 10$regular or are you the culinary advanced 150$. I know lots of weekend warriors post here. Meaning a great knowledge of food and wine. Well can you fry a great steak in a 10$ pan or is the 100$ dollar pan in the hands of a newbie( burns water) going to give him the edge.

Lets everybody put up the pics of the rooms ...regardless of price of system and we will find newbee city. Everyone talks the talk but the pictures are a horrible presentation of hifi. That's my point .....who cares what you own....your room is a tell tell of how much you are misunderstanding ...yet you offer the advice up.