High End

[speakerman1]

I'm sitting here thinking about this. I don't think I have any High End. I have maybe Mid ; but not High. I'm not sure I know what High End is. Just like Audiophile confuses me. When do you become one?

I have learned over the years. The more money you spend the less you worry about Synergy. I'm not trying to be a snob or anything. It is something I have learned over the years. Look at what is for sale on ebay. If you can't find it. It means people don't sell those brands of components. They are out there or the company would be out of business. I don't know about Yorx and companies like that ; because I never looked for them. Before I buy anything I ask why the person is selling it? Joe! LOL

Just my AM ramblings of a mad man.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Was that "Joe!" at me lol? If you have a continued interest in high quality sound reproduction, then I would say that makes you an audiophile. Not sure anyone here *isn't* one.

One of my friends has a pair of PSB bookshelf speakers he purchased many years ago, and a yamaha receiver from the 70's he bought new then. It fit his budget at the time of purchase=done. No plan to ever upgrade unless something fries, it works. But he does have about 5000 CD's in his house and has been a classical radio DJ for 36 years. Music is his life. He also plays a few instruments, mainly guitar. He's a music lover not an audiophile. His only interest is in content, not in trying to improve it's playback, which he could have done many many times.

On the other hand, I fret over reproduction. I have about 300 CDs and maybe 200 LPs now. Not much of a collection compared to my friend, but I could give you a ridiculous list of things I've owned and listened to over the years that would make the average persons head spin. The average person usually likes music, but is not an audiophile. Are you an average person Larry? Lol?

 

[speakerman1]

LOL average is like being normal to me. What in the world are you comparing it to. If I wasn't a dealer I could not afford my toys. I keep in good standing by just buying what I need. You have to understand. I shelled out some big bucks to start my store. Which does count for something. The things I do sell to others just keeps me in a little play money. LOL

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Well it seems to me that your eyeing things, or even buying things, that have nothing to do with dealership purposes. But I could be wrong. It does seem to me that you seek a better personal experience through higher quality components, speakers etc. Is it the labeling that you don't like? It's not so bad. You don't have to own the most expensive gear on the planet to be an audiophile. Or are you interests mainly business driven, to find liked products that hopefully other people like that you can sell to them? Nothing wrong with that either.

Posts do have limitations when your getting to know people.

 

[speakerman1]

You are right on the aspect of trying to improve the sound I hear. I like to help people improve the sound coming from their system. I try very hard to open peoples eyes into a different realm of audio. Not so much to make money as it is to enlighten them to the other side of audio. Do I expect anyone to pay 400.00 a meter for ICs. No. If I weren't a dealer I wouldn't have them either.

I have been flamed on other sites for saying cables can tune your system. If I didn't know this to be fact I wouldn't say it.

I learned a long time ago not to trust people who say I have so many years doing this and I know. I would give them a job just to embarrass them. They scared me. The same goes for audio. This forum is pretty cool you can say any thing and not get flamed. No matter how stupid.

There are benefits to being a member of this forum. You do have the chance to try different things at a lot lower price than Joe Blow pays.

I do have a goal for my systems. It is taking awhile to get there. I am very fortunate to have people around me that trust me. I also get some nice leftovers. LOL I do not like titles though. They seem to me to be smug. I had a guy one time tell me if I was an audiophile I would do this. I asked what is an audiophile? Does 45,000.00 of equipment make me one? He shut up. At one point I had that much gear in my systems. Not anymore.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

I don't think monitary status, or what someone's gear stack has in it has anything to do with being an audiophile, and I'm familiar with peoples distane of being labeled. Especially, as you have pointed out, that certain individuals will strain and bend the concept to meet there own needs. Sometimes, well, the need is simply ego driven. Honestly there are times that I just want to go into a nice shop and speak with someone who is kind, intellegent, and eager to put on a great show with the great products they happened to be selling. More often, people will either draw conclusions about me, based on the gear I own and listen to, and write me off as a waste of time. Or on the annoying side, will completely forget about me and just talk about themselves in an awkward way, only to reveal how inexperienced they are. But I'll take the kind ignorant types any day and just do my own demos LoL.

Ive seen you pose this question before, somewhere else, maybe over at sound thinking forums. I really think that it comes down to the action of seeking higher playback performance, which is going to be filled with all kinds of people, of all walks of life both good and bad. The kid who buys some boxes and an amp to toss into the backseat of his truck may well be on his/her way, but only if they likely continue. However, this is where misunderstanding and snobbery comes into play. Because it means that everyone has a point of reference. Depending what experiences people have had and what they have been exposed to, they might look like experts to some people, while to others they might look ignorant. This is the uncomfortable part of the issue, because it's largely hobbiest driven. No degree or certification is required.

On a side note, I use my phone often on the forum, and the text is small but I can of course expand it. I actually thought that you said you "do not like tities" instead of "do not like titles" and I really LMFAO!

 

[speakerman1]

I try to learn every day. The DC audio show is coming up. I would love to go. I helped sponsoring them their first year. Would love to take some things this year. A Phoenix amp would be nice. LOL Hint Hint.

Maybe a WO/PL amp.

It has been going on for 2 years now. They do a raffle. The 1st year I did tapes for it. Would really like to take some gear. It is only an hour away if that much. At least I would be able to hear some good gear. To compare with my own.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

I hear shows are tough to get a real good impression. But CES in Vegas is probably the one with more complaints

Yesterday I did some real passive listening at a local Magnolia-in-bestbuy when I was getting my kid a new video game. I listened to some B&W current 600 series, no idea on model,$650pr, and some $2k a pair Martin Logans. It was kinda quiet and the kid was pretty nice. The B&W sounded like a real value and they reminded me alot of the ones I had way back, when they first introduced Kevlar to 600 series bookshelf models. Hard to tell in there with the switch board and all but I suspected they were going to be a bit rough but size wise, good in my room. It would be fun to audition in my place. Doubt I'll do it tho, been there.

Going to a show sounds like fun though. When is it?

 

[speakerman1]

It is in June or July. If I remember right.

Larry

 

[jbeckva]

Ok, I gotta definition of "Audiophile"... An audio enthusiast who is constantly in search of better and better sounding sources, equipment and media that sounds good, better, and mo' better (there will never be a "best".. that is the unreachable goal).. but only to the person involved.

What'd I say before? If it sounds good to you, cool.. sounds good to me too, even more cool, but aside from that there's no direct comparison or standard either of us has to live n die by...

 

[nakdoc]

High end is where the equipment is no longer made for a marketing purpose. Yes, Hi end has to market, but the intent is also to gain some special sound quality. It is not necessarily expensive. Think about the ARC SP3A preamp. It is almost 40 years old now. How the heck could anyone say it is a high end piece? But, it is.
Audiophile status happens when you ask questions and can consider the answers carefully.

 

[Rex Everything]

I think I accidentally stumbled into "hi-end" this past weekend and am pleased I did.

 

[laatsch55]

I try to learn every day. The DC audio show is coming up. I would love to go. I helped sponsoring them their first year. Would love to take some things this year. A Phoenix amp would be nice. LOL Hint Hint.

Maybe a WO/PL amp.

It has been going on for 2 years now. They do a raffle. The 1st year I did tapes for it. Would really like to take some gear. It is only an hour away if that much. At least I would be able to hear some good gear. To compare with my own.

Larry

So all your missing is an entourage to run interference??

 

[orange]

groupies and papa rotzi

don't forget fish heads

 

[speakerman1]

Well I think Lee is building a High End preamp. If you think it didn't cost money. Then I went the wrong way. I could have even went better. I am very scared to add up the cost. What I don't know won't hurt me. LOL If you want High-end build a component. That way you can do it over time. Laser cut resistors that are matched on an attenuator is not cheap. Ask Lee what they feel like. The pre was not cheap in any way shape or form. If I go to the show this year. It will be going with me.

The only thing wrong with High-End is that in my eyes it will show the weakest link of the system. I don't consider anything in my system to be High-End.Except maybe the Pre. The Carys and the Shanling to me is mid. Maybe. I have no idea where it stops and begins.

I don't think I would try to build a SS high-end component. I like the tube sound to much. These are just my opinions. Just like every thing else in the world they are subjective. I know there are questions. Like why did I use silver RCAs and not gold. Just think for a bit and then ask.

The reason I picked the things I did is because I never want to buy another pre in my life. It gets to a point you get tired of chasing your tail for the Nirvana. If I had all the money back that I have paid for Pres. It would be more than I have in the one being built. If it sounds like crap then I messed up. I just don't see any way of that happening. LOL

Larry

 

[speakerman1]

I try to learn every day. The DC audio show is coming up. I would love to go. I helped sponsoring them their first year. Would love to take some things this year. A Phoenix amp would be nice. LOL Hint Hint.

Maybe a WO/PL amp.

It has been going on for 2 years now. They do a raffle. The 1st year I did tapes for it. Would really like to take some gear. It is only an hour away if that much. At least I would be able to hear some good gear. To compare with my own.

Larry

So all your missing is an entourage to run interference??

Huh?

Larry

 

[laatsch55]

First of all, I think the pre is going to be killer. Second, you getting out of the house and to DC for a 'fest doesn't sound like a solo gig.

 

[kevin]

Yea... Thats a good definition. I guess thats me... I think It was 1978 my dad went to radio shack and bought me my first reciever... its was a realistic sta-78.. lol.. Bless his heart .. He made 11 dollar a month payments on that thing till he paid for it. I STILL GOT IT !!! Anyway... Till now ive never been happy with what I had. ! O yea Id love to have more and better stuff. But when I sit down and listen Im pretty Happy with what I got.

 

[speakerman1]

First of all, I think the pre is going to be killer. Second, you getting out of the house and to DC for a 'fest doesn't sound like a solo gig.

I have the means to sort of keep calm. No way could I go alone. It is getting that I even think of going into public I have a panic attack. Not fun when there are things I need to do.

Larry

 

[speakerman1]

Yea... Thats a good definition. I guess that's me... I think It was 1978 my dad went to radio shack and bought me my first reciever... its was a realistic sta-78.. lol.. Bless his heart .. He made 11 dollar a month payments on that thing till he paid for it. I STILL GOT IT !!! Anyway... Till now ive never been happy with what I had. ! O yea Id love to have more and better stuff. But when I sit down and listen Im pretty Happy with what I got.

Which definition? To me Mac isn't even high end. It does sound good though. When I buy a component there are certain things I look at. Speaker connections is one. If there isn't a binding post I don't buy. I like heavy components. I have my little idiosyncrasies. May be strange ; but I do have things I look for.

Larry