I think I've Just Seen Absolute Proof That Audiophiles Are Insanely Gullible


I didn’t want to crap on someone’s sales thread, so I thought i’d post my amazement here. The focus of my disbelief? The "Dalby D7-Vinyl Stabilizer," which is a damn weight that screws onto the turntable spindle to hold the record securely onto the platter. Listed retail? 4000 British Pounds! (although a mag listed it at $6,800! On sale here at AudioGullible for the bargain basement price of 2500 British Pounds, or $3600 US dollars!!! Just read a few snippets of the sales ad . . .

"The D7-Vinyl Stabiliser has a sonic character that brings music to life and the ability to elevate the entire audio frequency from the veil and mechanics inherent in prerecorded music. The gains are immediate, with sweeter high frequency extension while the mid and lower registers are beautifully controlled. The soundscape is wider, higher and deeper, allowing the music to breathe more naturally."

I’m sorry, but I’m calling total BS on this. A friggin’ weight brings "music to life," "sweeter high frequency extension," "allowing the music to breathe more naturally . ." Come on. Its a modified paperweight that screws onto the platter. One can only imagine what this guy thinks about some $20K interconnects for the turntable -- the music probably writes itself! And don’t forget the amazing improvement that a $4,000 carbon fiber mat might add . . . You probably would think you were hallucinating because the music breathed so much it was oozing out of the speakers, like on some of my more memorable nights in college in the ’70’s.

Now I have never heard this amazing gift to the audiophile community, so maybe it is the audio equivalent of the Second Coming, but really? $5,800 for this? It confirms to me that there is a certain insanity/gullibility/too much money/snake oil in this so-called "hobby," (which is a hobby to customers and ridiculous business for some manufacturers). When is enough enough? What about audiophile paint, that has amazing sonic qualities to cut down reflection and make the soundstage so wide that you feel you need a new apartment? Don’t forget the audiophile couch, that is sonically neutral but promises to position your ears to "bring music to life?" OK, I’ve made my point. No offense to the seller of the snake oil, but really . . . When is enough enough?

This concludes my rant for today. :)
moto_man

Showing 8 responses by mapman

Flat records result in less noise and distortion so probably some truth to the potential benefits but obviously a device suited to do just that need not cost a fortune. But people do like their bling so whatever turns you on.   There is more to high end audio than just good sound you know.   Need not be truly high end just for that.  
Yes some people are gullible and some are not. Some are Audiophiles. Some products offer good value and some not. Some are expensive and some not.

Move on people.....there’s nothing new to see here....

I personally would not buy A $3600 record stabilizer but I’m sure others would. I’d rather invest that money in the best ultrasonic record cleaner I could find, if I were to invest that much in my records.

But that’s just me. I’m sure some all have only perfectly clean records and now need a better stabilizer.

Sheesh.
You guys figure out what is and is not nonsense.  I'll be watching and learning.
Let me do the introductions:

Moto_man: geoffkait. 
Geoffkait: moto_man.

have fun!
Marketers do what marketers do and get played to do. Almost always involves a spin of some sort, never the complete story.

I agree its wrong but what’s one to do except learn to take all marketing claims with a few grains of salt.

I’ve worked in product development and worked with marketers. They are usually not as technically savvy as the engineers. If there are no real engineers involved to start with, then the result may be total nonsense that many actually believe.

Good engineers are expensive.   Its a lot easier to make a profit of nonsense sometimes.   Lower overhead and  higher profit margins.   Nobody forces anyone to buy anything (except insurance maybe).
Price alone is not an issue.    Some things are worth a lot.  

But false advertising is.  Nobody should tolerate it knowingly.  Even audiophiles.  Like it or not, complacency makes one part of a corrupt system.

Facts tend to come out over time.   Only then does everyone get their just reward.