The Case for High End Audio

[Ted Denney III]

I love high end anything. Because the high end represents the pinnacle of human endeavor, quality in everything including performance and aesthetics. Having fewer high-end things, that we use in our daily lives versus consumerism, where we buy loads of cheap disposable crap, that fills a short term dopamine hit, and will soon need to be replaced by more cheap disposable crap. Or, lead a more minimalist life, where you pursue quality over quantity.

Theodore W Denney III
Lead Designer CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

#highendaudio #highendaudioequipment #synergisticresearch #computeraudio #tidalmusic #Qobuz #stereophile #TheAbsoluteSound

 

[zerostargeneral]

Nice introduction Sir,

For myself always genuine quality expenditure where possible.

Kindest regards, G.

 

[Elliot G.]

I believe in the High End. I have always been associated with high end products in Audio. I think the issue has become however what exactly is High End? It seems to get lost as a replacement word for expensive. Expensive products on their own are not IMO high end, they just are expensive, therefore not a great value.
There is a big difference IMO between products that are costly and those that are expensive.
High End Audio needs to learn the differences and treat them accordingly.
I have said for many years that too many companies are courting the people that aren't buyers becasue they seek approval and a good ole "at a boy" from the press.
What exactly is high end? Isn't it more than just a high price?

 

[microstrip]

(...) I think the issue has become however what exactly is High End? (...)

The critical question. IMO the definition should be functional - something that exceeds the basic performance of stereo, normally created with the help of a knowledgeable dealer but forcing the active participation of the buyer.

High End needs education, not just instinct.

 

[TonyW]

What exactly is high end? Isn't it more than just a high price?

You will know it when you hear it.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Whatever products we value in general, or whatever products we value in our hobbies in particular, many people appreciate the craftsmanship, the dedication, the engineering, the design, materials, the passion that culminates in a high-end product.

As a teenager I remember drooling over what at that time was the "Rolls-Royce" of amateur radio HF transceivers: a beautifully manufactured box containing the latest RF communications technology festooned with almost 100 smooth-as-glass feeling knobs, buttons, switches and dials. At that time it was the state-of-the-art both in internal technology and external ergonomic design.

Many people feel this way about exotic automobiles, limited production watches, custom firearms, state-of-the-art bicycles, etc. -- and audio components.

 

[sbo6]

That paints a very black and white picture of quality (what you call high - end) and quantity (what you call "loads of cheap disposable crap"), which is not reality. We've all experienced purportedly high - end that's not necessarily the utmost of quality, and we've also seen high quantity (I think you're inferring low cost) that's of high quality, especially for its price point.

Also, leading, "a more minimalist life, where you pursue quality over quantity" is more than a bit of an oxymoron. ;-)

In any case, whatever floats your subjective boat.

 

[sbo6]

I believe in the High End. I have always been associated with high end products in Audio. I think the issue has become however what exactly is High End? It seems to get lost as a replacement word for expensive. Expensive products on their own are not IMO high end, they just are expensive, therefore not a great value.
There is a big difference IMO between products that are costly and those that are expensive.
High End Audio needs to learn the differences and treat them accordingly.
I have said for many years that too many companies are courting the people that aren't buyers becasue they seek approval and a good ole "at a boy" from the press.
What exactly is high end? Isn't it more than just a high price?

For those that care more about music over status, yes it is.

 

[Ted Denney III]

Nice introduction Sir,

For myself always genuine quality expenditure where possible.

Kindest regards, G.

Thank you. Since I was a young boy, I’ve been fascinated by craftsmanship, brand positioning, and performance. Cheap or rank consumerism, has always been repellent to me.

 

[Iamrael]

hank you. Since I was a young boy, I’ve been fascinated by craftsmanship, brand positioning, and performance. Cheap or rank consumerism, has always been repellent to me.

So where do you draw the line between the two?

 

[Robh3606]

The critical question. IMO the definition should be functional - something that exceeds the basic performance of stereo, normally created with the help of a knowledgeable dealer but forcing the active participation of the buyer.

High End needs education, not just instinct.

Considering this hobby is for the most part subjective where is your yardstick?

There is a key issue which is product support on discontinued systems. The premise seems to be purchase "quality" as opposed to disposable.

Not me personally: You spend over 60K on a speaker pair 5 years ago and can't get a replacement driver.

This is actually happening right now. The fit and finish and drivers were all top notch yet you can't get a replacement for a damaged woofer.

If the manufacturer won't support a product beyond 5 years why spend the money on a statement system? The manufacturer treats them as disposable with no support how is that a "safe" investment for long term enjoyment?

Rob

 

[andromedaaudio]

The case for high end audio .......

 

[andromedaaudio]

High end audio isnt about nice machining / carbon .......

 

[Ted Denney III]

So where do you draw the line between the two?

Cheap is not necessarily associated with a price tag. Websters can help.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

i think that for hifi the High End is a state of mind. an ultimate destination resulting from a sustained uncompromising expectation, lots of commitment, and some skill. it can be something completely DIY/mods taken to a very high level, special vintage gear, or an assemblage of quality but not expensive pieces painstakingly synergizing particularly well. being expensive, well reviewed and pretty does not hold one back from being high end, but it's no guarantee. costly high performance pieces can push the ceiling higher. or reveal the shortcomings more. shoot for the moon, off by a little there is a long way to fall. high expectations bring more stress and judgment to the effort.

ideally one finds peace and satisfaction from all the focus. it can be a justifiable life enriching effort.

 

[tony22]

The critical question. IMO the definition should be functional - something that exceeds the basic performance of stereo, normally created with the help of a knowledgeable dealer but forcing the active participation of the buyer.

My metric has some of this in it, but in some ways is more basic: the best you can do given your resources, room, and tastes. From my own experience and being in several clubs at various times in my life (including three at the moment), effective systems are possible at many price segments. As to costly or not? That depends on one's own pocketbook. But I agree with Elliot that expensive doesn't necessarily mean great value.

BTW, hi @Ted Denney III!

 

[gleeds]

I love high end anything. Because the high end represents the pinnacle of human endeavor, quality in everything including performance and aesthetics. Having fewer high-end things, that we use in our daily lives versus consumerism, where we buy loads of cheap disposable crap, that fills a short term dopamine hit, and will soon need to be replaced by more cheap disposable crap. Or, lead a more minimalist life, where you pursue quality over quantity.

Theodore W Denney III
Lead Designer CEO Synergistic Research Inc.

#highendaudio #highendaudioequipment #synergisticresearch #computeraudio #tidalmusic #Qobuz #stereophile #TheAbsoluteSoundView attachment 143083

Welcome to WBF, Ted! No doubt there's lots; of cheap crap out there. Seek carefully and listen intently; one will be rewarded by great high-end audio in ways few other pursuits can. There is, however, the case of the RS 6 Avant I test-drove yesterday. But even there, unlike music, the high was only temporary

 

[andromedaaudio]

There is, however, the case of the RS 6 Avant I test-drove yesterday. But even there, unlike music, the high was only temporary

You got a ticket ?

 

[Lee]

There is another reason to like the higher end stuff. In the vast majority of the cases, the technology flows into more attainable products. The dCS Varese technology created the Apex upgrades.

 

[andromedaaudio]

There is another reason to like the higher end stuff. In the vast majority of the cases, the technology flows into more attainable products. The dCS Varese technology created the Apex upgrades.

The yd better look at what WADAX is doing .
The Apex is ...... miles behind .

Wadax is the only high end company where i dont laugh when they talk about a 25 K cable.