Any audiophiles on Talkbass?

link wray · #1 05-12-2008, 05:30 PM

I recently visisted the High End audio show in Munich. I helped a friend who has a bussiness making loudspeakers and distributing tube amps. You can find our show report here: http://www.crafty.nl/nieuws/HighEndMunich2008day1.php
6moons also has a show report: http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatur...08/munich.html
Are any of you audiophiles?

MJ5150 · #2 05-12-2008, 11:22 PM

I just started getting into installing whole house audio/video and home automation equipment. I have done three installs so far. I have seen some really $$$$pendy audio equipment that would make these boutique bass equipment guys looks like Behringer.

-Mike

Munjibunga · #3 05-12-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I just started getting into installing whole house audio/video and home automation equipment. I have done three installs so far. I have seen some really $$$$pendy audio equipment that would make these boutique bass equipment guys looks like Behringer.

-Mike

Yeah, like $1,200 IEC power cables?

MJ5150 · #4 05-13-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Yeah, like $1,200 IEC power cables?

Sh-yeah, as if. We're talking $2K for a power cable silly!

-Mike

James Hart · #5 05-13-2008, 12:02 AM

I love music... playing and listening.

I'm into vintage Hifi.... 70s silver faced receivers and moderately respectful speakers.

artistanbul · #6 05-13-2008, 02:48 AM

I'd love that but it's too expensive for me.
Computer + DAC + Amp + Headphones for me...

RWP · #7 05-13-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Yeah, like $1,200 IEC power cables?

Oh Boy here we go!

Mark Reccord · #8 05-13-2008, 06:24 AM

It's actually too bad that the industry is so mired in bullcrap, and let me tell you, expensive cables is only the tip of the iceberg. I think that despite all the quirky, esoteric and plain insane stuff in high end audio, there is a lot of well engineered, beautifully made and really good sounding high end audio gear out there, made by people who truly love audio and music. Unfortunately, for every honest, competent manufacturer/designer there's at least one shill or snake oil salesman.

I work in the industry, so I may be a bit jaded....

Mon Rominee · #9 05-13-2008, 06:30 AM

please let's not let this devolve into the monthly bash an Audiophile thread...

RWP · #10 05-13-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

please let's not let this devolve into the monthly bash an Audiophile thread...

There is a huge difference between an Audiophile and a sucker. Many people like to hear music accurately reproduced but not all of them will spend $12,000.00 for a set of cables to go from the CD player to their amp.

sensible68 · #11 05-13-2008, 06:54 AM

I aspire to be one... would love to get some Shahinian speakers - they are amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by artistanbul

I'd love that but it's too expensive for me.
Computer + DAC + Amp + Headphones for me...

I have similar - PC -> M-audio Sonica DAC (USB) -> Cyrus 1 amp -> Jim Rogers JR 149 speakers. Doesn't go particularly loud but is very detailed.

Which DAC do you use? Is is usb?

Mon Rominee · #12 05-13-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

There is a huge difference between an Audiophile and a sucker. Many people like to hear music accurately reproduced but not all of them will spend $12,000.00 for a set of cables to go from the CD player to their amp.

Dude, yer preaching to the converted here...I'm no audiophile or anything, nor do I strive to be, but one man's diminishing returns is another's quest for perfection...and at that stage of spending, you'll find it hard to sway their mind...you're not fooled, neither am I, but what I meant with my earlier post is it's been done to death, most recently with the 6 million in speakers thread a few weeks ago...

no biggie bro.

link wray · #13 05-13-2008, 08:01 AM

I saw/heard a lot of audiophile mumbo-jumbo in Munich. To my surprise some of the trickery that i had dismissed beforehand did seem to function in real life...
Prices were insane at some places and seldomely justified by excellent sound, but those listening booths are an acoustic challenge for any system.
And by the way: the systems we demoed were around the 2500 euro mark and that is very affordable: no cable mumbo jumbo at our listening booth.

MJ5150 · #14 05-13-2008, 08:02 AM

Yeah, I don't really know about the components, or if they are actually "worth" it. I make no claim either way. I just have seen some of the equipment in these houses that I installed, and the accompanying price tags. It blew me away what people are paying for home audio.

I kind of dig the retro vibe James is referring to.

-Mike

RWP · #15 05-13-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

Dude, yer preaching to the converted here...I'm no audiophile or anything, nor do I strive to be, but one man's diminishing returns is another's quest for perfection...and at that stage of spending, you'll find it hard to sway their mind...you're not fooled, neither am I, but what I meant with my earlier post is it's been done to death, most recently with the 6 million in speakers thread a few weeks ago...

no biggie bro.

LOL so true. Guess it's like anything else, some people are going to so silly things in their quest for nirvana. Maybe I am just jealous that I am not selling those oxygen free cables.

Stu L. · #16 05-13-2008, 08:32 AM

What does it take to make one an audiophile though? Is it spending the cash for the high end gear? Or is it just a love and appreciation for music and sound?

I'm not in the first category, but I am in the second. I have a nice (but modest) 5.1 at the house, and am currently building a tube stereo amp (8 watts/channel). And I have the hearing to appreciate the nice stuff, just not the budget. I think all too often those that have the cash to spend, don't have the hearing ability to back it up. That's when you get those $2k cables

Rakie · #17 05-13-2008, 09:01 AM

I'm an Audiophile, but my obsession starts much sooner as a sound engineer

To get good sound start with a band recorded and mixed on a Neve or SSL.

Mon Rominee · #18 05-13-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu L.

I think all too often those that have the cash to spend, don't have the hearing ability to back it up. That's when you get those $2k cables

Right. Some people it's yachts, others stables of horses, and then there are these types...I dunno, I just think at some point it goes beyond pristine audio appreciation, and dives headfirst into the blind aquisition of stuff merely to appear more of an afficionado to your other millionaire buddies. It's the latter with the severe imbalance in the wallet-to-brains ratio.

MJ5150 · #19 05-13-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu L.

What does it take to make one an audiophile though? Is it spending the cash for the high end gear? Or is it just a love and appreciation for music and sound?

I think all too often those that have the cash to spend, don't have the hearing ability to back it up. That's when you get those $2k cables

I think it is more the aprreciation and passion myself. I don't think you can "buy" audiophile status, or any kind of status.

The last install I did was for a guy who walked into an elite home audio store in Seattle and basically asked..."What is the most expensive setup you have for sale? I'll take it". Then he came home and pronounced himself to be some audio whiz.

-Mike

Stu L. · #20 05-13-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I think it is more the aprreciation and passion myself. I don't think you can "buy" audiophile status, or any kind of status.

Then count me in as an audiophile

Mike, I've done a few of those installs myself. It can be a fun occupation, but after the 5th or 6th phone call to tell someone how to start their DVD player, you get kinda burned out

If only the Harmony line of remotes was around 5 years ago...