I just read an article titled, "Are Audiophiles Wasting Their Money on Expensive Gear?" Considering it is posted in a section titled "The Audiophiliac", I was not surprised to see that he claimed they do not. He states that high end audio simply requires a large investment of money, but the quality and longevity is worth it.
gofar99 Messages: 1955 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I have encountered a number of similar thought, both pro and con. I find there is some merit to each. If you go the really cheap route and get big box store stuff it is almost always unsatisfactory in some manner. Frequently it will not last well. But it is inexpensive. At the other end buying extremely expensive gear may also prove unsatisfactory, particularly from the cost aspect. There is a huge middle ground however that can often provide nearly the same level of audio performance at modest cost. What constitutes modes cost is up to the individual. While these are rather general statements, I find there are areas that to my thinking are high priced snake oil. I can not even begin to justify $1000 power cords, weird looking wooden do dads that are supposed to harmonize the room, costly wooden blocks to raise my wires off the floor and so on. I guess in the long run, I don't believe that high cost equates to high performance. Careful selection of components above the big box level will in all likelihood be quite suitable for audio reproduction. Gold plated gizmos are just like chrome on cars...a sales gimmick designed to lure you away from your hard earned dollars.
Yes, I tend to agree with you, Bruce. I don't think you need to buy $50,000 speakers to get a high quality audio experience. I haven't even heard of some of the wooden items you mentioned.
As for gold-plated connectors, I thought they were actually better due to better conductivity, but I'm willing to admit I could be wrong. Could you explain please?
Wayne Parham Messages: 18793 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
Actually, the gold plating on connectors isn't hype - that one is real. Not so much for its conductivity, although it is a good conductor, but more for its corrosion resistance. Almost every contact inside a computer is gold plated, edge connectors, sockets, etc. Same with good audio connectors.
gofar99 Messages: 1955 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi Wayne, I was thinking of gold plated knobs and such where is serves only as cosmetic decoration. I agree that the plating on jacks and other contacts is helpful to keep corrosion at bay. I'm waiting now for someone to start selling gold plated copper wire inside their interconnects. Maybe someone already does. Frightning.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18793 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
You're so right! There are a ton of voodoo widgets in the audio industry. We were talking about them a while back in another thread. Have a gander at some of these mystical magical wonders!
Some people 'invest' large sums of money on their cars and they thoroughly enjoy spending time in and around these auto mobiles. To them, it is money well spent. I guess the same should then be true for music (or sound) lovers.
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