"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
In article , Keith G
wrote:

"Serge Auckland" wrote



I think you've put your finger on the reason for the current state of
"high-end" that seems to be all about architectural, sculptural,
aesthetic (choose your own term) appeal. It has nothing to do with
sound quality which is, as I think many of us agree, already of a
very high order. Consequently, what now distinguishes the high-end
from the "normal" stuff is the machined-out-of-solid casework,
turntables that could easily hold up the Parthenon, 'speakers that
could *be* the Parthenon and so on. It's moved on from a quest for
audio "perfection" to something that enhances the decor, becomes a
talking point with visitors, or is just pleasing to look at. Much
like a statue, painting or any other objet d'art.

I tend to regard it as "jewellery for boys". :-)


Absolutely, but is it really such a bad thing?

Yes - if the innocent or gullable are mislead into thinking you *have* to
pay for the above to obtain good quality results for the sound.



How innocent or gullible can you be to actually *have* the money to throw
down on 'high-end bling'? (Different story if someone sold a
kidney/child/their only house to buy it - then the sooner they are removed
from the gene pool, the better!!) But I maintain that if anyone perceives
(or is persuaded to perceive) a 'better sound' from expensive (ridiculously
expensive, if you like) kit and *they can afford it* where's the harm? Said
it a million times before - not everyone seeks 'cheap' or even 'good VFM' -
even with stuff like casual footware, the 'badge' is all for some types....

I for one don't think the dissappearance of the 'high end' in any commodity
is a good thing - as I stated earlier, standards are are raised only by the
high end and, from what I can see of it, 'cheap only' usually brings down a
commercial organisation that can't achieve the necessary, unassailable
'critical mass' like that of Walmart and Tesco, who can 'pile it high and
sell it cheap'...!! (Witness the occasional disappearance of 'home
electronics' high street chains and Internet dotcoms...)

'Expensive only' is a different ballgame and can/does work in many areas,
but mostly for very well-established brands in the various *luxury item*
categories - it can be a short road to ruin for organisations that don't
realise *positive cashflow* needs to be as regular as the need to eat....

(Note also the topic is about expensive brands, not 'snake oil' products as
such....)



I'd certainly recommend people to buy equipment whose looks, features, and
durability are of a high order - if they are minded to agree that those
aspects are important to them. However the concern is for those who only
'known' what they have read by scanning a few magazines who go into a shop
and are mislead into parting with a lot of cash under the delusion that
these things are required for good sound.


There's probably more of that goes on at the low-midfi end of the market
than with the truly expensive stuff - this month's '5 star product' kinda
thing....??