I'm 61. I started buying serious gear pretty early, Audio Research electronics, SP-10 turntable, Quad 57s in around 1974 (I would have been 19). I'll continue to spend money on audio-related stuff 'til they take me to the nursing home or mortuary. The economy does suck, but the market for this stuff is niche to begin with. Despite the fact that a lot of young people seem to be losing, economically- bad job market for a lot college grads, etc., there are also a lot of pretty affluent people, young and old, around the world today, probably more than ever. This stuff just isn't first on the list- in fact, it never was, though we like to think so. Yes, more people had home systems back in the '70s, but how good were they? And how much did they spend to get there at the time? We've been lamenting the death of the "serious" audio market for decades, but somehow, more turntables, tonearms and cartridges, uber speaker designs, big money amps, phono stages, cables and accessories than ever. Somebody is buying this stuff---it's not just Silicon Valley money or Russian oligarchs. Last time I checked--it's been a while-- luxury goods hadn't been hit as hard as ordinary middle of the road products, and that's where the belt tightening is, i suspect.
|
@dgarretson: Right you are. I made provision in my will for this-- the disposition of gear and record collection. My wife knows enough people to reach out to them if necessary, but it is an issue as we age. I don’t have kids, and have no misconceptions about the value of, for example, my record collection-it will get broken up and sold off, just like any commodity. I don’t think we are the last generation who will enjoy this hobby. I’ve talked with several youngish people- mid-’30s, who are building pretty serious systems, step by step. I’m glad I have time to enjoy what I’ve put together- sometimes, we are so busy working, and I’ve lost more than a couple contemporaries in the last few years. So, play it like you stole it! Buy that record you always wanted and play the damn thing!
Had lunch today with a brainiac friend- he’s not into hi-fi but is a scientist, and he is very optimistic about the human condition, long range. Me, I’m more of a pessimist, but perhaps I’m short sighted. I don’t think a lot of people have really had a break in the last 20 or so years- more work, more stress, the world today seems harder, faster and more competitive-- so all this stuff, about the state of the economy and the state of the world in general, has to be put into perspective. What were people thinking when they were playing those ’50s era records I own? Cold war, keeping up with the Jones, food in cans and cars with fins (those I miss). I’m glad this whole thing has been an important part of my life. I couldn’t imagine life without it (even though I have gone through periods where I didn’t have access to my system or it wasn’t set up). |
The hobby is fragmented into many different segments. If I can use a car analogy for a sec, there are the antiquarian types (think vintage Bugatti, pre-war, similar to the WE horn crowd); the high dollar bling- modern Ferrari, Lambo whatever (give me a vintage one); the bang for the buck crowd-monster performance for the dollar from some Japanese tweaker cars or hell, even a modern Corvette. And a sort of middle ground that captures old school, plus high performance/vaiue ratio- e.g. later air cooled 911s that have had some wrench turning done. There is every conceivable flavor, following and "school of" under the sun; I think the same is true in hi-fi. I don't think the hobby, in any of its forms will expire-there are still folks who are avid about 78s. All of it can be embraced--(I don't do 78s, it's too much at this point, I buy later transcriptions on 33). But, who would have predicted all the big ticket vinyl stuff- that's not the so-called millennial crowd. I firmly believe that you can buy something of value that will last a long time and give you great pleasure. A lot of the turnover in hi-fi was the "upgrade" and for some segment it still may be- those who are still building a system or those who just like changing gear. There's room for all of it. I think this stuff will be here long after even the youngest of us are gone, but if I'm wrong, I guess I won't know, will I? |
calvinj- I agree that younger listeners aren’t listening to the same "playlist" of geezer-pleasers, but they pick and choose- they may be doing metal (that seems to be the guy-rock of the 20 and 30 somethings) but every once in a while, a question like "Anybody heard the James Gang’ will pop up. My read is that two channel at the moment is back, but of course that can and will change. Look, I think we’re all speculating here in part on what the future will bring, but the one thing we can be certain of is that the hobby will keep changing. Does that mean the death of what AVSJerry called "Serious" audio? I don’t think so, and that branch was always a little bit of a rich man’s game (though the numbers in today’s dollars do seem staggering for some components). I’m also not sure about the class distinctions- some of the nuttiest audiophiles I’ve known have been poor as church mice, but spent what they had, and wrangled, to get "serious" gear. (Many worked in the industry to do this). On the other hand, the wealthy folks I know seem to have little interest in purist audio (another elitest term but you know what I mean) and have computer controlled whole house systems.... We’re geeks, that’s all. |
Pretty cogent overview there, E-Slacker. |
Calvin- don't lose faith. You don't have to feel that way- this hobby can still be fun and lot's of good used gear, DIY, interesting stuff if you are willing to invest the time. The music- yeah, that's really the purpose, but we tend to rationalize all the gear-mania by claiming that it's getting us closer to the real musical experience. I feel like I've gotten off the treadmill, and while gear still interests me, I'm probably more interested in set up, the design, the "why" of it, and the history, rather than the bling. And buying records- much fun there to be had, you can have stuff coming in constantly from web purchases- great to look forward to, to explore and hear new things (or old things that you haven't heard). I enjoy my system now more than I ever did; I still buy stuff, but I'm not caught up in any sort of competition, and I have fun experimenting. |
Russbutton: But if it weren't for those "anal-rententive people with too much money... [who] KNOW they are entitled..." you wouldn't benefit from the trickle down in the used market, would you?
I've benefitted, as you have, from the used high-end market. But, no need to be angry with those who have money or spend it carelessly (in your estimation). There's always somebody richer, better looking, etc. I've made peace with that. |
I just wish Idiocracy had been a better movie. The concept was fantastic, wasn't it? (present company--me--not excluded). Sometimes, I feel like we're all getting dumber....
Respectfully,
|
