The Insane World of High End Audio! Is it All a Scam?

@deep_333 great points and well made. The very high end is well above what I’m willing to pay, even if I had the ability, but I see no reason to create resentment towards those who buy in that segment of the market. When I hear someone call them fools for spending their money in a way that brings them joy, I think it says a lot more about the name caller than the purchaser.

I also think there’s a lot good to say about the state of affairs. There is more quality equipment available at the lower end then I can remember. I put together a system for a friend for under $3000 and it sounds really good and it’s bringing her a lot of enjoyment. I paid a lot more for my system and I don’t think anybody would say that it doesn’t sound better, but it’s great that there are quality products available at most price points. I guess we all look at things differently. When I see someone driving a Lamborghini, I think, man what a nice ride. I don’t think the guy who is able to buy that car is a fool. We can have interesting discussions about what works, and what represents value, and we can disagree, but I thought Randy and his viewers who commented presented a mean spirited tone that is unhelpful and unnecessary.

@oberoniaomnia the high dollar audio equipment sells a lot better than you think, take the D'Agostino relentless amplifier for instance, they took preorders for over 200 amplifiers before they were even built. The new improved model is $350,000 the original model was $250,000. They even added a relentless model below that.

hopefully the introspective will realize… we are all sellers, reviewers, influential to some degree… ask yourself about the security blanket dopamine hit… 

I think a more focused thread about the room a dog of sorts that does bark would be threadworm but useful….. diffraction might be your friend….

and every studio control room i’ve worked in…. has some glass….

@invalid thank you for proving my point. 200 units in a global market is minuscule. Roughly 1 per country.

@deep_333 re effort, that's all good and well, but how does it sound? Provide data on blind tests, and then we have a basis for discussion. 

@kerrybh re Lambos, it certainly leaves an impression, and it ain't favorable. I'd rather talk to someone with a meticulously restored Model T. Respect! 

I maintain: focus on silly high priced items is to the detriment of the hobby. I recently provided some guidance to a young friend (30s) who was interested in a TT. Budget: $500. Very interested, very much into music, love their Klipsch speakers. After much discussion and talking about pros and cons of features, they settled on an $200 AT-LPW30BKR. That's reality.