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Is high-end audio dying, if not dead already???

Without sounding like the mad prophet of the airwaves, I think high-end audio is in its death throes. I would like to hear other opinions on this issue, but I think it is time to raise the question and also some hell as to what is happening to the high end audio and audio in general.

Here's why: Most of the major audio publications spend a great deal of time on romancing the "absolute" fidelity of computer audio and music that is digitally processed. On the other hand, you have critics, reviewers, celebrating the comeback of vinyl, analog, and turntables. The mantra goes: "it really does sound better, like real music", so chuck out your CD player, and buy a $5000 analog rig, and have fun again cleaning, preserving (a medium) searching record huts worldwide for pristine vinyl gems. Maybe, there are some shellac gems out there also

It seems the CD format has "OUTLIVED" its usefulness in the pursuit of the absolute sound because its technology and soft ware has never convincingly improved. It is like the BB King tune "the thrill is gone" or saying kids let's just change the channel for something more exciting and new.

High-end audio seems to now ( as the old joke goes)require a degree in engineering or rocket science to understand the circuitous (bad pun) route to audio nirvana. Equipment has gotten more expensive over the last 15 years, under the pretext that the electronic functions have increased and become more complicated. Take a look at the back of a 5 channel receiver or amp, or home theater receiver, a digital processor, etc. and you will see the future of audio. It might be easier to hook up a heart and lung machine.

Ironically, as high end audio and audio in general evolves, the music industry delivers more shit to the public's ears, Geez, I never knew that in order to really enjoy Shakira, JZ, Pharell, and the rest of the talentless trash discovered and pushed by American Idol, The Voice,and the popular Mega media, would require hearing it in absolute sound.
sunnyjim

Showing 4 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I guess you would have to define what "high end audio" actually is.

I was talking to a guy last weekend who swore he was an audiophile and had a high end system. It was a home theater system that ran around KEF speakers, a Denon AVR (top of the line) and an Oppo DVD Blu ray player. He swears music is more important to him than video, and his rig can do music ridiculously well. Also, surround sound music is MUCH better than stereo sound.

I just met him last weekend, he is a neighbor of some woman in distress I was assisting. Her audiophile husband passed away 7 years ago, and her system has been on the fritz for 5 years now. Turned out to be a couple of blown rail fuses in her Threshold amplifier. She also had a conrad johnson preamp and Quad ESL-63 speakers, Thorens turntable, Nak cassette deck, Carver tuner and JVC CDP. The neighbor came to help me pull the amp down, it was on a shelf 7 feet high. Who the hell puts a 100 pound Threshold amp 7 feet up off the floor?

Anyway, once he heard the Quads up and running, he had to admit that he was surprised at how good that "old gear" sounded. I'm wondering if he is now questioning whether his system is still "high-end".

"High-end" is in the ear of the beholder.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
10-16-14: Mapman
High end means costs more money on teh grand scale of things. Plain and simple.

Again, define grand scale, not so plain and simple.
Many folks think a $2000 AV Receiver IS grand scale, while others feel that a $2000 power cord is NOT grand scale.
If high end audio is a state of mind, I think the high end is alive and well.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
10-16-14: Mapman
Grand scale at least runs well up into 6 figures, maybe more in rare cases. At least that is the grandest I have seen mention of.

10-16-14: Schubert
98 % 0f US population thinks a 2k receiver is grand scale.

That is my point, thank you gentleman. Grand scale and high-end means many different things to many different people. High end, and whether it is dying or thriving, is all in the mind of the beholder.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
11-16-14: Zd542
The only thing subjective about a watch is how it looks. Its function, or purpose, is to tell time. In that respect, all watches are the same regardless of cost. Not so with audio. With audio, the product is subjective in use. 5 people can have different watches, at different price points, but they'll all give you the same time.

The only thing subjective about a watch is how it looks. The only thing subjective about audio is how it sounds. So what's the difference again?

If you are judging subjectivity, will all 5 people feel the same about the looks of the watches, or the sound of an audio system? The vast majority will say they are all the same, only the 'philes would argue differences between the two.
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