Wadax Studio Player

[Michaels HiFi]

There are YouTubers who have built very big channels selling the notion that a $500 component is every bit as capable as one costing many times more and that those who spend more are fools. To be fair, some of that goes on at the higher in too-you can get blacker backgrounds, inner detail, wider soundstage if you shell out 500 bucks to get your cables 2 inches off the floor (no hit on those who want to lift their cable, but it can be done for next to nothing).

This stuff works because there is always a booming market for telling people what they really, really want to believe and it has been forever thus. Fox News and MSNBC exist by manipulating their reporting to reinforce the preconceived notions of the target audience. Same stuff, different targets. Cheapaudioman has built a YouTube channel with nearly half a million subscribers using the same basic approach. It works.

Thus my view they are a much bigger threat to the hifi industry than the few expensive companies.

Also I'd like to add to your post CNN, Washington Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, Apple News (per the recent expose showing 90% of their articles leaned one way.....

Many people lack the most basic critical thinking skills and would simply rather be told what to be outraged and a faux victim of. In this case it's the "evil greedy snake oil audio companies".

The funny part? No one is forcing anyone to actually BUY any of this stuff. It's not enough the victim-sheeple are outraged that these option exist, they are even more outraged that OTHERS choose to buy this stuff with our own money. LOL

 

[mep]

I’m curious, do you ever get a piece to review you really don’t want to or don’t care about and the entire review seems like a chore?

Yes, it has happened.

 

[Kramer64]

Thus my view they are a much bigger threat to the hifi industry than the few expensive companies.

Also I'd like to add to your post CNN, Washington Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, Apple News (per the recent expose showing 90% of their articles leaned one way.....

Many people lack the most basic critical thinking skills and would simply rather be told what to be outraged and a faux victim of. In this case it's the "evil greedy snake oil audio companies".

The funny part? No one is forcing anyone to actually BUY any of this stuff. It's not enough the victim-sheeple are outraged that these option exist, they are even more outraged that OTHERS choose to buy this stuff with our own money. LOL

You point out one of the most annoying traits of many who pursue this hobby-the obsession about how other people choose to spend their money. Its certainly possible to build a system for a $1,000 and if someone takes joy from that and lacks the desire or means to spend more-good for them. Enjoy the music. If someone has the means and desire to buy a million dollar rig, why would anyone be bothered by that choice? This is supposed to be fun-its not a competitive sport. The snobs and reverse snobs are two sides of the same coin.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

You point out one of the most annoying traits of many who pursue this hobby-the obsession about how other people choose to spend their money. Its certainly possible to build a system for a $1,000 and if someone takes joy from that and lacks the desire or means to spend more-good for them. Enjoy the music. If someone has the means and desire to buy a million dollar rig, why would anyone be bothered by that choice? This is supposed to be fun-its not a competitive sport. The snobs and reverse snobs are two sides of the same coin.

I totally agree.

I'm always amazed at the people who get angry - yes angry - at people who decide to buy nice cables as an example.

Conversely I currently have listed as one of my best amps at any price is the $1800 type 45 mono blocks I own. And I have mono blocks here that are 50x that price as well.

I think it's simple - the "best" system is the one you enjoy and brings a smile to your face. It doesn't not matter if you are a bass head, measurement snob, or tubephile. So long as you are happy that is all that matters.

Having said that over the years the people I see with the most anger and animosity are the ones on the cheap end looking upwards. There are entire FB groups aimed at attacking people with nice systems. I've never seen a Facebook group focused on the reverse.

Sometimes one side is worse than the other and it's ok to call it out as such. Not everything needs to be right down the middle to be true.

 

[Randy Myers]

I totally agree.

I'm always amazed at the people who get angry - yes angry - at people who decide to buy nice cables as an example.

Conversely I currently have listed as one of my best amps at any price is the $1800 type 45 mono blocks I own. And I have mono blocks here that are 50x that price as well.

I think it's simple - the "best" system is the one you enjoy and brings a smile to your face. It doesn't not matter if you are a bass head, measurement snob, or tubephile. So long as you are happy that is all that matters.

Having said that over the years the people I see with the most anger and animosity are the ones on the cheap end looking upwards. There are entire FB groups aimed at attacking people with nice systems. I've never seen a Facebook group focused on the reverse.

Sometimes one side is worse than the other and it's ok to call it out as such. Not everything needs to be right down the middle to be true.

I certainly don't disagree. My main point was the future of our hobby and bringing others in. I am totally happy with my system. It certainly is not top end, but it is also a system to be proud of. Obviously jealousy is not a motivation for my posts. Maybe a bit selfish on my part because there are reasons to be concerned that our aging industry does definitely need new young blood to survive and to thrive.

 

[Mike]

Yes, it has happened.

I thought so. How do you even begin to motivate yourself to do a review?