2. cables
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House calls vs. institutions?

In the old days (vey old days), physicians carried a black bag to each sickly person's humble abode, filled with simple instruments for diagnostic purposes. This 1 on 1 interaction has been touted as "the good old days" of doctor/patient personalized care. Granted, you couldn't carry an MRI machine in your back pocket, but I'm talking about that initial BOND that seems to have diminished throughout the years.

This brings me to the possible correlation with audio.

How many of you, think that there should be a similar relationship between the designers of high-end audio equipment and each prospective client? Now, I'm not stating that they should "fly" to our homes/businesses and take a survey. I am specifically referring to a 1 on 1 interaction where the opportunity for specific design implications are sculpted to each clients unique circumstances.

Keep in mind that I'm not suggesting that Pass, Rowland, Levinson et al can realistically do this. I'm implying towards other smaller entities than CAN and DO prefer this sort of relationship.

Now, one could interject that "dealers" are the interface between designer & client. You would be correct I think.

Let’s look at examples where one could have their own unique tube amp designed for their specific needs. Or preamp. Or speakers. Or something much easier to implement like CABLES.

Cost factors come to mind I would think. This type of 1 to 1 is usually associated with higher cost. But what if that were not the case?

Would we all prefer this relationship? Does this mean that "dealers" would not have a place in the industry (GENERALLY SPEAKING OF COURSE). Would we be more satisfied with the outcomes? How would are ideologies be affected when feeling that this 1 on 1 could steer our subjectivities one way or another. Maybe we would come to the conclusion that the "sound" we have helped to sculpt (through the designers) IS better than just buying and trying out equipment? How would our subconscious deal with this???

Now, after all my ramblings, I would like to focus on an area where I think this would be the easiest and most practical of the bunch to visualize and put into practice...CABLES.

Please feel free to comment. As far as my personal opinion...I would welcome these opportunities.
vandermeulen

Showing 1 response by aerosans

aerosans
11 posts
 
I would also interject that some scenarios involving personal interactions between client and designer are very favorable. The difficulties ensue where practical business models come into play. An individual looking to make a career in the high end audio arena has to make some key decisions which will ultimately dictate where their products fit in, and how they are categorized by each individuals ideologically developed schema pertaining to the high end audio market. You can't please everyone is the dilemma. Some designers will strategically place themselves within the "normal" distribution curves of statistical mean. They may have an incredible product designed to compete with the higher(more expensive)tier items, but decide to market it elsewhere withing the marketing arena. It is most common from my experiences that prospective clients want an easily obtainable solution. Here is the product...here is what it does...and here is the price.

If a designer chooses to approach this from a more personally involved interaction with the client, then the dynamics change considerably. There may be more avenues available for "that personal touch" feeling, but this also brings many other questions into play like cost factors, expectations, liabilities, and well defined delineations between beginning and end.
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