But still no critical thinking or robust sources of data around replacement.
I do agree with his point about music formats driving a lot of this.
Is Audiophilia a Dying Hobby or Just in Need of a Tune-Up?
- Thread starter exupgh12
- Start date
But still no critical thinking or robust sources of data around replacement.
I do agree with his point about music formats driving a lot of this.
While I don't have the most expensive kind of system, I have heard both cheaper and more expensive variants of most of my components, in several instances in side-by-side comparisons. I am very confident that I got my money's worth.
I was at Munich in 2019 and saw a lot of families with young people. I was encouraged by that.
Merry Christmas to you as well!
I think it would be cool to link gear demo rooms with record sales stores. One room with vinyl vintage receivers and Klipsch or Altec speakers. Another room with vinyl streaming and contemporary electronics and medium size cone speakers. Make them cool places to hang out. Offer cocktails at night and tea and coffee and pastries during the day. Locate them in neighborhoods in big to medium size cities where young people live and hang out, and where there are vintage clothing, stores, and an art scene.
I went to just such a neighborhood in Dallas when my daughter was going to college there. The place was hopping on a Saturday morning and the only thing missing were the listening demo rooms. Audio used to be a shared experience with people hanging out together and flipping records. Young people like to socialize, though they seem to be listening to music by themselves with headphones. Combine the music with the socializing and a cool factor and located where they already live and hang out. Then it won’t seem so elite and exclusive.
And this might be controversial, but I would hire attractive college women to serve the drinks. That gets the boys there, and then more girls will follow because that’s where the boys are. It’s an old formula that works.
I went to just such a neighborhood in Dallas when my daughter was going to college there. The place was hopping on a Saturday morning and the only thing missing were the listening demo rooms. Audio used to be a shared experience with people hanging out together and flipping records. Young people like to socialize, though they seem to be listening to music by themselves with headphones. Combine the music with the socializing and a cool factor and located where they already live and hang out. Then it won’t seem so elite and exclusive.
And this might be controversial, but I would hire attractive college women to serve the drinks. That gets the boys there, and then more girls will follow because that’s where the boys are. It’s an old formula that works.
Last edited:
From 2005 to 2021 my system was little changed. I was working and didn’t have time to do much. I visited Harry’s store now and then when in town and a couple of other stores in other cities. Harry showed me a streaming setup around 2012 and it intrigued me but I didn’t get into streaming until 2022. Once retired I revamped my entire system. It was a 2 year project in earnest and then some follow up changes on the digital side over the next couple of years. It required perseverance and determination. It paid off but only because I had the time to work at it. I do my own yard work, house repairs and oil changes so it would be difficult for me to let someone design and build an audio system for me.
I would say that the higher cost gear requires more effort and tuning to get rewarding results- or expected results versus lower cost gear. What I mean is, the room, the setup, the cables all matter more. System synergy is independent of cost. That means find speakers that you like in your room- step 1, both visually and aurally and then match amps to those speakers- step 2, then cables and up the chain to the source.
Step 1 is the hardest part. Some people want you to tell them what they like.
I would say that the higher cost gear requires more effort and tuning to get rewarding results- or expected results versus lower cost gear. What I mean is, the room, the setup, the cables all matter more. System synergy is independent of cost. That means find speakers that you like in your room- step 1, both visually and aurally and then match amps to those speakers- step 2, then cables and up the chain to the source.
Step 1 is the hardest part. Some people want you to tell them what they like.
Does anyone here follow Darko Audio?
John is the guru of what many refer to as "future fi", and bridges the gap between the high-end gear we discuss on WBF and affordable high-fidelity gear that includes head-fi, wireless speakers, DSP, non-wired speakers, affordable amplifiers, Apple TV, Roon, Atmos you name it. He's also into hip music that younger generations dig. That said, I always see John Darko roaming the halls of HE Munich usually with another aging hipster (compliment is meant here to both men), Michael Lavorgnia who features all manner of uber high-end gear on his channel Twittering Machines.
I know many of us will laugh but companies like Bluesound, Wiim, Eversolo, Technics, Focal, Cambridge Audio, Kef, etc. are building brands that will drive future music lovers into better sound, yes even high-end.
Perhaps the big problem with audiophilia is that we refer to people who love great sound audiophiles. Does anyone have a better name to define us - yeah that's the ticket!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays all!
John is the guru of what many refer to as "future fi", and bridges the gap between the high-end gear we discuss on WBF and affordable high-fidelity gear that includes head-fi, wireless speakers, DSP, non-wired speakers, affordable amplifiers, Apple TV, Roon, Atmos you name it. He's also into hip music that younger generations dig. That said, I always see John Darko roaming the halls of HE Munich usually with another aging hipster (compliment is meant here to both men), Michael Lavorgnia who features all manner of uber high-end gear on his channel Twittering Machines.
I know many of us will laugh but companies like Bluesound, Wiim, Eversolo, Technics, Focal, Cambridge Audio, Kef, etc. are building brands that will drive future music lovers into better sound, yes even high-end.
Perhaps the big problem with audiophilia is that we refer to people who love great sound audiophiles. Does anyone have a better name to define us - yeah that's the ticket!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays all!