I flipped through a recent Stereophile issue, no deep dive, but see that they have considerable coverage of several under $10k products, including: new NAD integrateds, an Audio Note integrated, Emotiva, new JBL speakers, Eversolo speakers, LAiV monoblocks,J. Sikora Aspire, Onkyo Icon A-50 Integrated, Wattson Emerson Digital network streamer, and the HiFi Rose RD160 D/A processor. A few of these were short new product announcements, but several were extensive articles, some with a full set of measurements. More ink was devoted to these products than what most would consider the high priced stuff. Whether that's enough or whether the content suits us is subjective-we all have our own opinion- but the volume of coverage of less expensive vs more expensive gear is easily ascertained. For me, the big publications deserve some of the criticism that's come their way, but I can't fault their effort to cover lower cost gear. One caveat-if someone is looking for coverage of the very bottom of the range-sub $1,000-you are likely left to the YouTubers-good luck.
I'm leaving high end audio...
- Thread starter Michaels HiFi
- Start date
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
What's Hi Fi caters to the entry level for the most part. Future Audiophile does a mix of ranges you can certainly see some entry level, they've even reviewed Fozi and a good amount of Chi-fi.
I don't know how many of you are on social media there are a good number of younger guys getting into audio. Vintage is still going strong. These guys are shopping thrift or online marketplaces to see what they can find and put together. It's almost like a brag to put a system together for little investment. There is hope, I think I mentioned in an earlier post that those starting with Wiim some are upgrading and finding it worthwhile. There's a section of the hobby that likes to tinker, I can't believe the crap speakers they are taking the time and money to re-foam and restore.
What we are exposed to shapes our opinions would account for the various responses.
With brands like Fozi and other Chi-fi you can get into audio cheap. Look at the Yamaha 301 or Dayton Audio HTA 100 or 200, various NAD, this is decent sound with features for not much money either. When I started out getting a receiver was the primary goal. I think those getting into audio have more options these days than I was aware of 50 years ago. It's not all doom and gloom just because there's 6 figure price tags for those willing don't mean the hobby is going to hell.
I don't know how many of you are on social media there are a good number of younger guys getting into audio. Vintage is still going strong. These guys are shopping thrift or online marketplaces to see what they can find and put together. It's almost like a brag to put a system together for little investment. There is hope, I think I mentioned in an earlier post that those starting with Wiim some are upgrading and finding it worthwhile. There's a section of the hobby that likes to tinker, I can't believe the crap speakers they are taking the time and money to re-foam and restore.
What we are exposed to shapes our opinions would account for the various responses.
With brands like Fozi and other Chi-fi you can get into audio cheap. Look at the Yamaha 301 or Dayton Audio HTA 100 or 200, various NAD, this is decent sound with features for not much money either. When I started out getting a receiver was the primary goal. I think those getting into audio have more options these days than I was aware of 50 years ago. It's not all doom and gloom just because there's 6 figure price tags for those willing don't mean the hobby is going to hell.
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #123
I do think part of the reason why you see so many videos on cheap chi-fi is they AGGRESSIVELY push to content creators and offer them things to make videos and such.
I think I'm up to email #9 or something like that from Fosi in the last month or so trying to get me to make content on them.
Clearly they are barking up the wrong tree with me. LOL
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
While I'm on a coffee fueled roll, LOL I have to hand it to brands like Yamaha, Marantz, now Rotel and NAD was always in there, for offering products that start with a few hundred and goes up from there. The difference being a complete line. Yamaha for example, I mentioned the 301 integrated that sells for about $399 then the line stair steps up to their separates for about $10k each. The Yamaha analog integrated amps are excellent.
Feanor
Active member
By the way, this strategy is called "market stratification", meaning get the MAX each is willing to pay from all levels of consumers, from plutocrats to paupers. It's a strategy that works for many types of merchandise.
ggdudeabides
Active member
Terry is a wonderful person. I did business with him a long time ago. Is he still active or did he sell to someone else?
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RepublicOfTexas69
Active member
As knowledgeable a bot from crutchfield.....
Agree with everything.
I have been chastised by some morons on the Steve Hoffman forum for saying that dacs, amps and music players sound different as well as usb cables and rca/xlr cables. They all say its expectation bias and psychoacoustics and you can't trust your ears at all. What total BS. They get nasty even when I have done double blind tests and pass. They say it is all in my head when I say something is unbearably bright or lush and warm. Really bright gear makes my left ear hurt and ring.
While I agree that such a position betrays ignorance on the part of those who deny the efficacy of components such as ICs, PCs, dacs (and even amps? Are you kidding?) to those who actually have considerable real-world experience and who recognize just how myopic that entire ideology really is, I have to wonder why you’d bother to contest the point with that crowd. It strikes me as akin to preaching non-violence at the Coliseum when Caesar and the spectators just want to see someone get eaten.
ggdudeabides
Active member
Yea. Just ignore. To quote Forrest Gump again "you can't fix stupid".
ggdudeabides
Active member
Did someone as good as Terry buy the business?
I have a different approach to audio than the ASR folks. I definitely hear a difference between dacs and amps, etc. But it’s just a difference of opinion. they have as much right to their point of view as we do. No reason to make it personal. It’s just listening to music.
Terry had partners as I recall, I'm not sure but I think they remain involved.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I have never looked at this site (ASR), and I am sure I will not now. Of course I can hear a difference in many pieces of gear. Sometimes it is small other times very large. But to go as far as to say to not trust your ears or that there are no differences is just plain wrong.
Otherwise, we may as well all just listen to MP3s on cheapo ear pods from our phones... (cringe)
Shadowfax
Well-known member
I have been reading along thru this whole thread. 20 some years ago when I first started posting on Message Forums, I cut my teeth on the ruthless AudioReview - Cables Forum. There was The Leader MytKraft (or close) and his Merry Band of Naysayers that would only quote White Papers and Specs. There was no Real World comparisons, only the papers say it can't be so.
At that time I was playing with various Tara Labs ICs, Kimber PBJs, and Synergistic Kaleidoscopes. The changes were clear enough for almost anyone to hear.
As far as "Point of View" until they actually try and experiment for themselves and tell you what they have and what they tested, their Point of View us Null. These same people would gang up on anyone that said they heard a difference between cable A and cable B in their own setup. But they would never tell you what their own setup was or what cables they use.
I remember Mytrycrafts very well. Quite a piece of work.I have been reading along thru this whole thread. 20 some years ago when I first started posting on Message Forums, I cut my teeth on the ruthless AudioReview - Cables Forum. There was The Leader MytKraft (or close) and his Merry Band of Naysayers that would only quote White Papers and Specs. There was no Real World comparisons, only the papers say it can't be so.
At that time I was playing with various Tara Labs ICs, Kimber PBJs, and Synergistic Kaleidoscopes. The changes were clear enough for almost anyone to hear.
As far as "Point of View" until they actually try and experiment for themselves and tell you what they have and what they tested, their Point of View us Null. These same people would gang up on anyone that said they heard a difference between cable A and cable B in their own setup. But they would never tell you what their own setup was or what cables they use.
I agree with the substance of what you say, but that was not the point I was making. My approach to system building, as anyone would see from my system, is substantially different from the objectivists. I'm arguing for basic civility in our discussions. The fact that we have differences of opinion about a hobby does not make either side stupid or idiots or nitwits. It just means we have different opinions. Once we start calling each other names, the meaningful discussion is over which, to my understanding, is the whole point of a forum. I think that sort of thing also inhibits folks who are newer to the hobby from participating. Just my thought and I'm not and I know there are times that I need to take my own advice. There is a basic rule of advocacy-if you are debating an issue, attack the substance, not the person. Of course, its the internet and everyone is free to say whatever they please.