I started the WBF post as I find the concept of $$ destroying the culture of forum participation interesting. They took down my thread after my last post. They used the OP as the reason to kill it. It may be the simple fact the Greek is a lighting rod with a long history that has rubbed some the wrong way. But hey, I am my own set of issues. I have people that like me, and people the despise me. If your in it long enough, you get a reputation. But the topic is interesting.
I am going to start a new post on WBF and use my last thread, and a paragraph from the book, Precision Sound by Todd Binnix. Todd is the moderator that took my post down. The paragraph of interest to me is in the preface. He says.
Page xi
"Like most audiophile, while exploring the musical possibilities with a two-channel stereo system, I owned several different versions of each component-speakers, amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, CD players, DACs, and more. Each time I mde a change, I hoped to achieve a better, more engaging music experience. Unfortunately, many of these decisions were based on some magazine or online review filled with flowery descriptions: improved soundstage width, enhanced depth, warm but detailed vocals, ruthlessly revealing, and son on. lI thought if I could fid the right combination of components, the music would pour out and magic would happen - it never did."
I believe what I wrote on WBF and a lot of what the Greek is saying, and in a round about way, but not, that Todd is saying, is that $$$$ have ruined the audiophile culture. Big name brands with big price tags have coopted and corrupted the process of getting great sound. They have warped perceptions and made it seem that invested $$$$ equal a high end, satisfying stereo. I disagree. I think good power and a good set of speakers, well setup in room with modest electronics can make a fantastic playback experience.
To be fair. My personal experience is that many people engaged in the hobby are placing a stereo in a common living space in the home. That right there ends the ability to get great sound. WAF and even the owners personal decor taste place the speakers in a space where they do not couple properly with the room. No amount of $$$ is going to fix it. But the industry has skillfully convinced people that $$ will make the difference. Now you have a hobbled system in a living room that is comprised of $400K to $750K in gear, that still can't get there. A $50K system set up properly in a dedicated space is going to knock the socks off all that invested money.
That is what I got from the OP attached article and what I find of interest. I miss the days of people sharing. I miss learning. I am tired of the angst and vinegar post that have roots in ego tied up in large financial investments of equipment.
