Post by Owen Y on Feb 4, 2017 15:54:06 GMT 12
|
Pundit
Post by beeman on Feb 10, 2017 6:27:11 GMT 12
Ouch - say what you think Ken ;-)
|
Member
Post by gorden on Feb 12, 2017 12:18:26 GMT 12
Ken Kessler is pretty much correct in his analysis of the modern day CES. A while back Jason Victor Serinus wrote in Stereophile [Vol 39,No7 July 2016] "What if they gave a CES and nobody came" and he was more or less correct. Over the years the Hi-end section of CES has become static, and slowly diminishing in size, with fewer and fewer manufactories , and designers showing there modern attempt at hi-end. Possible site hire costs, for the exhibitors, plus the fact it's a trade show, doesn't help.
The rise of AXPONA [ April 21-23 ] and RMAF [ Oct 6-8 ] will also have added to CES demise. For some strange reason the American concept of "we are bigger and better then anyone else" no longer applies with giant european shows such as Munich and others taking a larger percentage of the Hi-end cake. There also open to Jo Public And there's far more available cash in Europe and the Middle East for such Kit, then North America
|
Post by Owen Y on Feb 13, 2017 8:53:30 GMT 12
Welcome gorden. I wonder how you'd quantify 'available cash'. USA still has highest (or near highest) 'disposable household income' per capita worldwide I believe. But we know that this 'hifi' pastime is populated largely by middle-aged men 
|
Member
Post by gorden on Feb 13, 2017 10:43:35 GMT 12
I wonder how you'd quantify 'available cash'.
Thanks for the reply Owen, Unfortunately the American economy is based on "Live new,Pay later"
And as we all know, that system only works for so long before it crash's, And in many states unemployment and
house repo's are the norm. I have some contacts over there and there way of life is pretty horrible, compared to ours. It's a case of the rich get richer, and the poor stay that way. There economy is on a knife'edge just look at Detroit, for proof of that. The elusion of everything's bigger and better is fast going down the drain, as far as Jo Average is concerned. Where'as the European model, does not work on paper credit.
But we know that this 'hifi' pastime is populated largely by middle-aged men
Visions of portly old men tube rolling by candle light, comes to mind. The truth, wether we choose to admit it or not is, Entry level Hi-end is just as good and sometimes better then over inflated high priced kit with fancy names, and phantom over-the-top reviews, by people who don't live on the same planet, or speak the same language as the rest of us. And the younger generation are waking up to this, and are not falling for it.
|
Post by guitardude on Feb 13, 2017 16:12:56 GMT 12
Hi Gorden,
Some interesting points you raise. I would suggest that in the case of Joe average the economy here is much the same as the US, i.e a few very wealthy, a huge lump in the middle going nowhere fast and the new class of working poor and then the poor souls underneath them. However I don't think the economy is to blame for Hifi being populated by portly middle aged men, rather it is how one chooses to spend ones time. Now for me there is nothing I like better for an evening than to settle in with an LP or 2 and a book, but even amongst my music loving friends I am in a minority.
Music is often for them a background to whatever else they are doing, be it working or multitasking on a web device, or doing other tasks about the house. This shows in peoples choices of systems. During the BBQ season in the homes I visited most times the systems consisted of some Sonos type device controlled by a smartphone. So put simply there simply isn't a need for a dedicated traditional HIFi system.
Secondly I would take issue with your entry level/ high end comparison. IMHO it is an unfortunate truth that yes the very expensive gear does sound really good and is very far removed sonically from entry level high end gear. The sad fact remains that I cannot afford either, but at least I am willing to admit that it exists. For proof of this I would suggest that you visit some High end audio showrooms and prepare to have your prejudices shattered forever.
NB Personally I very much dislike the High End term in relation to Hi Fi, much preferring the term High Performance. High Fidelity is a fine term, but in view of most modern recordings Fidelity to what ?
|
Member
Post by gorden on Feb 14, 2017 11:04:19 GMT 12
Secondly I would take issue with your entry level/ high end comparison. IMHO it is an unfortunate truth that yes the very expensive gear does sound really good and is very far removed sonically from entry level high end gear. The sad fact remains that I cannot afford either, but at least I am willing to admit that it exists. For proof of this I would suggest that you visit some High end audio showrooms and prepare to have your prejudices shattered forever. ,Hi guitardude,, A couple of comments on your reply, which should I say firstly, I have no wish to get into a long protracted argument, on what was said or what was considered an opinion. You say that very expensive kit sounds really good , but high-end entry level kit, does not. I have no idea how you come to that conclusion when you freely admit you don't own, and therefore have no experience of high-end. And have only experienced it via a HiFi salesroom.[ possibly ] Which everyone will admit, is presented in the very best way, to off cause attract sales. Most people will also admit, that in most cases, there is a difference between the salesroom and your own home Or god forbid, do you really believe everything written by some fancy hairy-fairy reviewer. Most of which don't live on the same planet as so'called normal, people. Also different brands sound different, together with the source, speakers, etc,etc. At what point do we say we have reached perfection, if in fact this is indeed possible. Regardless of cost.
|
Post by Owen Y on Feb 14, 2017 12:03:51 GMT 12
Chaps - every post on this forum is only an opinion, your (welcome) opinion, that's all. If in any doubt, please re-read Forum Rule #1. Cheers.
|
Post by guitardude on Feb 14, 2017 12:57:11 GMT 12
Sorry Owen,
Had no intention of causing offence, simply offering my opinions on the subject in hand. In terms of auditioning high end gear I would strongly recommend a visit to the Adelphi for anyone interested. I've heard some stunning sounding systems there over the years, The MBL room in particular shattering all of my preconceptions regarding omnis.....
|
Post by Owen Y on Feb 15, 2017 13:34:59 GMT 12
No worries, anyone expressing views, we just ask of members to respect the opinions of others.
|
Member
Post by gorden on Feb 16, 2017 11:03:25 GMT 12
, The MBL room in particular shattering all of my preconceptions regarding omnis..... You could buy a small country cheaper then what your going to pay for MBL. There considered the ultra hi-end, of high-end. ranking in the same league as Burmester, Magico Ultimates, and Wilson WAMM
|
Post by guitardude on Feb 16, 2017 14:23:39 GMT 12
My point being that it all sounded wonderful, in fact better in every respect than any of my own systems. I didn't enquire as to price.
|
