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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 13 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
"High end audio is better than ever its kicking ass!!"

As evidenced by the abundance of wires costing 4 digits or more these days. Not to mention "fancy fuses".
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
As long as people have good sounding stuff to listen to music with in their homes, it won't be dead. Maybe just much different looking than the olden days.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
It just keeps chugging along.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
The most expensive stuff seems to continue to get even more expensive so I suppose it is not dying assuming someone actually can still buy the stuff.

I suppose nobody wants crappy looking pro stuff in their palace.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
High end means costs more money on teh grand scale of things. Plain and simple.

One can say that if it sounds good its high end I suppose, but it isn't.

I can buy very nice shoes and clothes in many places, but Nordtrom is where the high end stuff is sold. Same true with jewelry and Cartier.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
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.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
The 99th percentile is grander and more high end then I suppose, and that 100th even more so.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
You can't be high end if too many others are higher than you.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
A better question might be how "high end" must gear be to sound like it?

My thought is that like with most technology, good sound is more a commodity item these days and less of a luxury, and it is easier than ever to approach the best the "high end" has to offer for most.

A lot of cost still has to do with scale though. It will always cost more to get high end sound in a larger venue than in a small one. That is for sure! Toss in aesthetic issues that concern home audio mostly and that ups the cost as well.

ON the smallest scale possible, I have a pair of Audio Technica headphones I paid less than $30 for that delivers a lot of delight at lower volumes even when used with commodity level computer gear these days.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
For context, back in the 60's and 70's, the sound possible out of most home gear in use for listening to music outright sucked in comparison to today. The shortcoming were clearly apparent in most all cases. From tube tabletop radios to transistor radios to phonos to 8-track to cassette to FM to compact systems to even most component gear available in teh day, all were limited compared to even the most common and simple portable gear available today, which may also have limitations, but largely due to the scale more so than most anything else IMHO. Sure mp3 is limited as well, but I would love to have had an IPAD and headphones even back then.

Today, good sound is a commodity. PEople get it many ways as it suits them best.

We are all spoiled by all the good things we have available these days IMHO and none of us here most likely should have any real reason to complain about sound quality available IMHO. There are much bigger issues out there worthy of our attention.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
The high end is good for helping determine what is and is not possible at any cost and using that to establish a reference sound.

Once you know what that is , then I find that there are practical ways for most to achieve it in most cases with a little investment in time and knowledge as much as in buying stuff.

In many cases, with the kinds of rooms most people have to deal with, there is a tendancy to always go bigger becasue that is perceived as needed or better. Sometimes, smaller works best. It should always cost less to do good sound on a smaller scale than on a larger one. I think that is always true in all cases. SO its useful to keep in mind that bigger is not always better, even though on paper it may always appear to be.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
More expensive cars are bigger and have more stuff in them. . The bigger and more stuff in anything, the more there is to break. And cost more to fix as well. Its all part of the club.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
"I believe its time to start thinking about "high end audio" a little differently and get back to what made us love the hobby in the first place. "

Well put. I agree 100%. Technology and user habits move on but the music that has always been the driving force will always still be there.
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