YES! Who cares Music and your enjoyment is all the Counts. Love being Cheap most of this stuff is Overpriced Regardless of Salesmen Marketing Brainwash. Any AV Head will hunt down used Refurbished Thrift Black Friday Swap w friends. Joy in saving money to spend on Used Physical Media formats.
Agreed! I'm almost certain that I enjoy my records on my Fluance turntable through my Denon AV receiver and Jamo speakers more than many snobbier audiophiles enjoy their music.
@@CJNoobersonso if you could hear that same music with more detail, depth and soundstage, you would pass because suddenly you wouldn't "be listening to the music "?
I just like to get the best sound out of my existing setup for as long as possible until it breaks and no longer sounds good. I also like to buy for longevity and ease of use for the lowest $$ feasible. Been that way since 1979
I am a fortunate relatively poor person with little disposable income, and most so-called audiophiles would probably scoff at the stereo system that I have managed to assemble over the years. Fact is, I really don't care what they think because my music sounds great to my ears, and I am thoroughly enjoying my stereo system on a daily basis. I do like hearing about all of the new and improved gear, and I will use that information if I ever need to replace what I have - so keep doing what you are doing.
I would never scoff at the system someone else has. If you like it, it's right for you. There is no reason to ever spend money you don't have to compete with anyone else, they don't listen to it, you do. What I would do is invite you over to my house to listen to mine, and we could have a couple of beers and discuss music and gear. Cause, in reality, isn't that what it's REALLY about?
@@thetech207 Totally agree with you on what you are saying because this could be the new way to look at Hi Fi from now on because " We are the real Hi Fi people out there ?? just enjoy the music.
Everyone has a path. Just don't get stuck with things that don't matter. Keep an open mind and especially open ears, don't fall into the trap of people trying to tell you that you are wrong. You figure out your path through bad choices or "right now" choices. This is how you find your path.
You're exactly right. The diminishing returns add up fast, and even buying a $200 HD6XX will get you 95% of the way to the best sound. As long as you enjoy what you have, there's no reason to upgrade. Chances are, spending $10,000 wouldn't make you enjoy your favorite music any more than you already do (once the novelty wears off), so what's the point in wasting money chasing diminishing returns?
@@practicallyalive Absolutely! Also, listen to your music on your first system for a long time before upgrading. If you think you need to upgrade, think about trying cheap room modifications first. Throw rug, wall art, plants(real or fake) will help the sound of your system. It also helps with the wife acceptance factor.
I was in the "HiFi" sales business back in the 80's and 90's. I always tried to give my customers the best opportunity to get pleasure from their purchase. I always felt that any system was better than the clock radio they might be listening to. Pursuing the "nth" degree of audiophiledom is a fun hobby but not for everyone. If the system you have gives you pleasure and sounds good to you, you can enjoy the hobby. Keep up the good word.
After having been down that rabbit hole for a while, I can say especially in HiFi there is a lot of "different" sound, but it's very hard to define if there is actually one that's better than the other. To a certain degree of course you can easily tell that a speaker sounds better than a much cheaper alternative. But I'd say, within the 2,000 Dollar price range you get 90% of what you'll get if you spend 10k or even more. I've had the Wharfedale Lintons for a while and switched to Wharfedale Aura 2 a couple weeks ago. They cost 2k Euros (here in Germany) and they have that laid back british sound, but with more detail than the Lintons. It's the happiest I've been in a long time with a speaker. I wouldn't say they're better, because the Lintons simply do everything extremely well. More a matter of taste (sound- and designwise). Compared to other entertainment tech, speakers are really a matter of what you like and what you need. Other with TVs for example, because in most cases you can very clearly a good from a bad picture quality, an OLED from an LED, etc. And also, usually bigger is always better, if you're into movies. It's easy. Speakers are their own unique science.
@@Schlock3000 "Speakers are their own unique science." Very true. I wanted something efficient for my little triode amps so I bought a 40 year old pair of Lowther Acousta 115s for £300 off Ebay. I spent a further £550 replacing the drive units. Lowther still make something very similar for £7K. There's something I like about single driver horns despite the space they occupy.
You would be shocked that too many people believe treating a room and having a $500 system think it makes it sound like a $10000 system most belong to asr forum
Many of us don't have the luxury of a dedicated listening space and have to share rooms with our families who may not be thrilled with room treatment all over the walls. Course if you live in your basement with no friends or family and never see the light of day, room treatment is an awesome idea.😜
I got denon 4700h and mid range wharfedale speakers. Got as well svs sub for £600. And treated the living room with acustic panels. Plus got a lot of plants. I mean like real a lot of big bloody plants. Nice soft furniture. My system sounds so nice. I mean seriously lovely
@@jimfarrell4635 Not what I'm saying. I'm saying that if you spend thousands of cables, but you don't treat your listening space (whether you can't or not is irrelevant), then you're wasting your money on cables.
I suppose it depends on what you listen to. Studios are not created equally. No need to spend 100K on a hifi if you listen to Indy music created in an artist's mom's basement. If however, you consume music from the likes of octave records or Telarc (from the old days) then you can bet they spent money on the good stuff.
@@CraftyZA But those types of records are very limited. The vast majority of music is produced using vanilla Mogami cables and such. Not to mention music from the 60s and to some extent 70s is produced cheaply on inferior equipment. Things got better in the 80s but even then most music was produced cheaply. True audiophile recordings are rare.
@@CraftyZA People spend thousands on vinyl setups but then they listen to Elvis. First of all the vinyl pressing was from a digital master if it’s new so that kind of defeats the purpose. If it’s an original pressing from the 50s or 60s, that’s gonna have so much noise, it defeats the purpose to spend thousands. Second, that’s gonna music was not recorded using audiophile grade cables, microphones and equipment.
I would add one word to your sentence to democratize it. That word is AFFORD. I'd suggest the following... Being an audiophile means you are someone who loves music and likes to hear it in the best quality you can AFFORD! This way the $2,000 amps and $1,800 tuners aren't needed to enjoy music \ audio that sounds good to you. Affordable music can be good music if you put in the effort to source the best available equipment in your price range.
Gotta say that I just gifted my 23 year old daughter an older Sony 2 channel amp receiver, my “old” recent enough Pioneer turntable with an upgraded stylus, and a set of old Optimus 3 way large bookshelf speakers that I bought local for $25. Not only does it sound really good, but she loves it, and it’s something I have been able to share with her and bring into her home. I have my own RT85 and system, nothing $$$, but it makes me smile, and now this makes her smile. That’s what it is all about. Thanks again, Randy.
Good to hear your daughter is a cool girl who appreciates proven audio equipment. Most modern women start hyperventilating when you install them real speakers with cables.
Same here. I gave my 21 YO daughter my old college Technics turntable, she found a Denon receiver at Goodwill and Polk speakers on eBay. She buys records at flea markets and thrift stores. And she absolutely loves listening to them with her friends. That’s as audiophile as it gets.
I’ve watched many of your videos, and honestly have not been enthusiastic about a lot of them. But, this video shows balls and backbone. Flying in the face of the elitist, esoteric audiophile. Particularly your comments on the influence of the room. I’ve spent 40 years + assembling an audio system that reproduces music the way I prefer to hear it. The nature of my job is that I’m frequently required to up sticks and move home. My hi-fi always accompanies each move. So, I’ve experienced listening to my hi-fi in a multitude of listening environments. Different room dimensions. Different construction materials, Etc. Without exception, it is always the sonic characteristics of my hi-fi which dominate the listening experience, not that of the room. And yes, I sincerely believe that ‘the stuff of life’, carpets, curtains, cushions, sofas, rugs, wives, children and pets are normally more than sufficient to tame the room down to acceptable RT60 levels. I urge all of you vulnerable audiophiles, not to have room anxiety. Often costly solutions are marketed to solve almost insignificant issues. Great work Randy.
The REL subwoofer FB page is one of the most Toxic audio communities I’ve personally come across. I asked a simple question about my input on my 1205 mk2 subwoofers and all I got was: -My Anthem AVR sucks for music. -My room is atrocious and needs room treatment -My speakers are placed wrong -I shouldn’t put my AVR on top of my power amp. No one actually answer my question
@ The REL 1205 don’t have hi-level inputs. They have two low level inputs with one designated as lfe. My question was if there was a difference between the two low level inputs, I was curious if one had different filters or not.
@@CarlVanDoren61 The Rel FB community is full of themselves who mindlessly repeat dogma for sure :-) That said, my personal experience with a few Rel subs across a few systems is that it that the high level input was clearly better. I also preferred overlapping the subs with the mains, without using an active crossover. So your milage may vary, but a marketing strategy I would say no. FWIW John Hunter guidelines on setup are not BS, as he is known in the industry as a "setup master", from before his Rel days, where he developed something called the "Sumiko Master Speaker Setup Guide" (fancy words 😆). What is BS is the idea that you can simply apply the same rules to any room. I personally got the best results, when I used live sweeps in REW to position my dual subs.
I found the REL videos on the REL Acoustics channel helpful. I was very pleased with being able to tune, place and adjust the crossover of my REL Acoustics Tzero MKIII Subwoofer. Don't give up.
I’ve been an audiophile for 50 years. I started with a new Yamaha CR800 Receiver in 1974. The Speakers and Turntable from 1974 are long gone, but I recently got the CR800 out of the basement closet and it operates like new! I have recently paired it with a set of EMOTIVA XB2 speakers on sale for $399, a BluDento BLT-HD Bluetooth Audio Receiver for $80, and a Fluance RT82 Turntable for $299. So, for recently spending about $780, I’m back in business and am enjoying the hell out of it! Thanks, Randy for getting me back into audio after seeing one of your TH-cam videos about a month or so ago.
@ron8994 You probably should have the electrolytic capacitors replaced in the Yamaha. It's a ticking bomb to self destruct, unless you already have. I love Yamaha. It historically has been the best value in mass market gear. I have a MX2000 Amp from about 1987. Had it recapped and it sings so sweetly.
Having just retired from a lifetime in consumer electronics it has never ceased to amaze me what some "Audiophiles" will believe. They remind me of the people that by an EV thinking they are saving the planet. These strange people have been around for decades, they accept at face value what the Hi-Fi press tell them without thinking that they are been fed BS. The markup on all those expensive cables and accessories keep them happy and dealers make far more selling them than the gear. What always struck me when i visted their homes that apart from a room full of very expensive gear, there was little else and certainly no large collection of media to listen to. Still it kept me employed trying to find faults that didn't exist, it's amazing what you can do with a magic ofc screwdriver,
One of my favorite - as in hilariously ridiculous - audiophile idiocies is "cable elevators", which as far as I can see are just "repurposed" (I hate that silly term) high voltage insulators. I have a free clue for the "golden ears" with more money than brains: raising your speaker cables two or three inches - or two or three feet, for that matter - off the floor isn't going to make one damned bit of difference in the sound of your system. I guarantee it.
A huge problem is people being snarky keyboard warriors. We are all so impolite and impersonal to one another online that we forget that this is a passion that is supposed to drive positive feelings. However, it is that passion that drives us all to do deep dives, hundreds of hours of research, second guessing, and validating our choices and purchases against a subjective and ever changing experience. In a sense, most audiophiles are simply people that have been driven by their passion to complete their own neurotic battle to get the best experience we can, chasing that dragon. It IS exhausting, especially over time, and to see someone making "mistakes" we may have made long ago, it can be frustrating, and we want to save them time or money by offering our advice. But there is a massive lack of gentlemanly conversation, treating others with disrespect because we're all reduced to letters on a screen and not a physical body with thoughts and feelings. Which is kind of funny because this journey is all about the physics and physical nature of the experience.
@hipidipi20157max why thank you. Unfortunately that seems to be the way the internet goes 🤣 they say you can laugh or cry, the internet makes me want to do both lol
I just hate it when people disqualify tone control and loudness because it's not "pure" or "as the artist intended". There're cool functions, in some cases boost the enjoyment and correct some specific issues you might have. It's your system!
In fact, proper loudness control that matches the fletcher-munson curve actually makes things more accurate. So it's closer to the recording or "what the artist intended".
I agree ! Just try the same system in a good room, then in a bad one , you’ ll find why you need tone controls in some cases. In most cases what you hear is the sound of the room more than the sound of the system, especialy at loud levels…
Most artist's intention is that you will enjoy their music. So it becomes not really a bragging point to say such and such system plays music "as the artist intended"
Yes, the same music that has been recorded through a 72 channel SSL4000 console with 4 parametric eq’s per channel (you do the math) and countless outboard compressors, distressors, limiters and expanders. And guess what? No Audioquest cable to wire that gigantic console………. Now ask any of these audiophiles what were they saying about eq and “pureness” of audio signal ???
Many people fear they are missing out (FOMO) but don't have the confidence in their ears. Lots of people have a big hole inside, through no fault of their own, and think it can be filled with the "perfect" hifi, car, chair, shirt, aftershave, phone... Companies exploit that.
I read a comment once regarding 'audiophiles'... An 'audiophile' listens to their system, everyone else just appreciates the 'music'. I think it's pretty-much spot-on.
When I got back into vinyl a couple years ago I fell for the "if you don't have this or that turntable, amp or speakers you're not going to be happy " well, I use a nearly 50nyear old technics sl-1800 paired with wharfedale 12.2 bookshelf speakers, yamaha a-s701 amp, schiit mani 2 pre and svs sb-1000 pro sub. Seems like it's good to me. Trying to keep up with the Jones will only create frustration. Buy what you like and sounds good to you, after all, you're the only one who's going to be listening to it anyway. No one really cares how much you spent on your 'audiophile " setup
@@12_inch_spinnerz can't get back into vinyl. Hate flipping the disc over every 20 minutes or so, and turntables are finicky as hell in the real world.
And like wine, there is a lot of B.S. around it. People who claim that a wine is flinty, reminiscent of wet shoe leather, notes of hibiscus and elder flowers, etc, are likely full of crap. Much of the same non-specific language is used for audio as well.
Perfect definition! I just want to wrote the same. The best hi-fi is the ine which sound the best to YOU. I heard about one professional musician, "classic music", who installed in his house PA (really, stage equipment for live music) and he claim that this is the "win combination". Why not? For him... Should I by the oscilloscope to analize sound shape produced from hi-fi and compare it with "original source"? With what kind of mic? Enjoy the music...
The simple fact, is that "audiophiles" pay for exclusivity, and bragging rights. Handmade, limited availability isn't necessarily better... it just costs more. Lets be honest, most people can't hear any difference anyway... but still think they might gain something by paying more than they need to. For every sucker, there is a salesman waiting.
Just, naw, naw and naw. If I didn't hear the differences I'd still be listening to my tinny bright Walkman. If you can't hear the differences then you've won straight out the box. Lucky you.
@user-jg4fu3rd9c my main system is £40,000 plus all in, cables, furniture everything and I know it's not the best system out there - to me it's entry level high end. It's the best I can afford. Does it sound better than the old entry level CA integrated and budget MA speakers I started with. Hell yeah. Does it sound better than my old Quad Elite and Harbeth's also hell, yeah. Makes me happy and I can't be evicted :D
I'm a Cerwin Vega fan so I'm obviously not an audiophile, but.. my listening area is 15 feet from my front channels out of necessity so most bookshelf speakers aren't gonna cut it. I hope the industry goes back to 12 and 15" 3-way speakers being the norm without having to get a bank loan to afford them.
35 years ago I had the Cerwin Vega 316R's (15" 3-way large floor speakers) and today I'm using the Cerwin Vega VS-150, which is a similar 3-way 15" speaker. An audiophile is someone that is a hi-fi enthusiast. We strive to get the best sounding gear that we can afford.
I am 178 years old and use a pair Klipsch K- horns connected to my Victrola for near field listening. If you do anything else, you’re woefully under under informed.
Nah K horns stink, and probably honks like a goose🪿! You need Realistic speakers. ANY OTHER BRAND WON'T SOUND REALISTIC. Lol My amp will melt your wax bwahaha!!!
I met a serious audio man, audio store owner, and DJ upstate in New Paltz. He had plenty of high end gear, let me audition it, and each time I came up, we listened, he educated me, and showed me tweaks, which transformed my whole studio/sound system. We talked about where to spend more, where to spend less, and why. That man also took some gear outside and spun vinyl with gear I could afford, instead of those $20,000 speakers, $500 interconnects, and $5000 preamps in his shop. Music is about how it relates to YOU, or as a DJ, makes us feel warm, fuzzy, funky, and want to dance all night. I have crates, pictures, my bed, furniture, TVs, books, and the gear itself that made this room sound so much better. The biggest FACT is, NONE of you can tell me, nor bully me what to do with MY MONEY, and if you need to preach your purist, biased, and self entitled agendas, do it inside your house to your pets ,wife, and children, for all I care... The world does not have listening rooms and anerobic chambers in your $4,654, 652 renovated Chapel you bought to record/listen to Chamber music. They are busy having fun at home while they cook/clean, have house parties, listening while they travel. and going out to shake their booty.
I have been an audiophile for 50 years and....its all about the music lol. seriously, all the music I love, I first heard on a small transistor radio, powered by a battery and one small 3 inch speaker
My GF loves her music on her Android phone. I guess that makes her an Audiophile. I never thought about her like that before. PS, if that 3" speaker is a Fostex FE83, you could still qualify as Audiophile ;)
Good music & good recordings are different things. Plenty of music moves me but I wouldn't pretend it's well recorded or "audiophile". Of course the best experience is finding music that ticks both boxes.
If the recording is more important than the music you end up with listening to mostly mediocre nondescript performances of pieces you don't care for. A recording is what it is, especially if you go back into the 20th century or even in its first half. With classical music and opera in particular (but also certain types of jazz and blues), the greatest performances on record are by artists who died decades before the term "High Fidelity" was even invented! My definition of good equipment is that it should bring out the best from any recording, be it a state-of-the-art hi-res digital one or a phonograph record from the 1910s. In fact, the poorer the original recording is, the more important good listening equipment becomes. An ancient, already distorted and noisy recording can afford much less to lose any of what is available than a top-quality Hi-Fi one, since the difference with additional sonic problems piled on an already compromised recording (think worn 78rpm shellac disc, cassette tape recorded from the audience at a performance, off-the-air tape from AM radio...) will often be a fundamental one of intelligibility of sung or spoken words, or recognizability of different instruments in an ensemble, rather than a comparatively arcane loss in soundstage depth or some such subtle thing typically discussed in audiophile context. You can only explore and enjoy the whole ca. 130 years of recorded music if your system takes kindly to whatever sound quality is put into it. Transparency, good transient response, a neutral and flat-response midrange, and a dry listening ambience are mandatory and will benefit every kind of recording alike (but also lay bare any flaws in modern multitrack mixes, don't say I didn't warn you....)
I must disagree. "AUDIOPHILE" simply means one who is a lover of what one hears, if you know the linguistic roots of the word. As for recordings, there are acoustically recorded Edison cylinder records in my collection to the latest MP3 digital files, and all of it gives me pleasure, and hence are "audiophile" recordings. The problem arises because the word "audiophile" has come to mean "audio snob."
I'm not an audiophile, I'm a music fan and Cheapaudioman helped me pick a sub $500 system that sounds better than anything I've owned before and better than some fairly expensive systems roommates had. Recent new addition: Philips CD player w digital out for $4. I recently moved 2 tables and opened up my small listening area, then hung some fleece blankets on shelves next to the speakers and it made a huge difference in soundstage width. Cost me $16. 😁
I've been an "Audiophile" for 30 years. Know what I've learned? Use what sounds good to you. Don't be afriad to try new things and just go with what ya like cheap or expensive doesn't matter. What ever lets you enjoy your music and get that acoutic therapy. I have a friend that still uses his mid 2000s Aiwa shelf system, looks like a damn space ship and has a sick 5 disc changer with 200watts!!! Its his end game and he has it cranked all the time for the last 20 years.
Thanks for this. It always annoys me when someone posts their budget, asking for suggestions, and some jerk says "save up until you have XXX." I think it's fun to help people with a small budget get started with cheap used gear, and the beauty of it is, in today's market, if you make good choices you can get remarkably good sound for pretty darned cheap.
I put my system together about two years ago. I am in my 50s and have tinnitus and a room with tile floors. Does it sound perfect? Maybe not to someone else, but it sounds pretty damn good to me. Aiyima A07 Amp $80 Aiyima T9 DAC $100 Elac B6.2 Debut 2 $300( on sale) 12 year old Blu Ray Player as a CD player (don't remember what I paid) My enjoyment of this cheap system: $$Priceless
A funny thing happened when we retired. Got a bigger house with a room that is great for my system. Then I started taking piano lessons (bucket list). I now spend more time playing piano than listening to music on my system.
A few years ago I started producing my own music, just for myself and for my pleasure, with a DAW and soft synthesizers. Now I'm also trying to learn to play the piano. Have so much fun.
@stanleycostello9610 Yes, it definitely helps if you're able and knowledgeable enough to fix minor problems with said equipment in order to get the most out of it... Luckily most of the vintage stuff is fairly easy and simple to work on if you know a few basic electronics repair techniques and methods. It's always a lot more fixable and useful than any of the modern day equipment if/when it breaks, because with modern day stuff you pretty much just have to throw it away and buy another one as modern day electronics are pretty much totally unservicable! :(
@JoeJ-8282 educate yourself and always have $200 bucks cash. I have a incredible home theater on a budget (used) consisting of Integra , and Klipsch Heritage speakers all from garage sales and trades.
@ericwichmann9536 Yep, agreed. I too, have been collecting vintage audio equipment since High School, and I'm now in my 50's, always doing what you said above, and I now have a stereo system, (more than one, and in multiple rooms actually), but I probably now have well over $1 million worth of equipment (IF I had to have bought ALL of it brand NEW and at retail prices), but yet, I've probably realistically only got about $10K or so invested in it all, due to always being thrifty, and fixing things myself if needed. So yeah, if you're VERY adamant about it, AND always watch for awesome deals, then you can get used vintage audio/video equipment for about 1/100th of original retail prices, it just takes time, (quite a few years actually), so you have to be patient and upgrade gradually, as you find better and better stuff, in order to put together a truly amazing system... But it's totally doable if you know what you're doing and looking at wherever you go, and when and what to buy, and when/what NOT to.
I've been an audiophile for uptingk years and the biggest bummer I have about this is getting older, my ear performance continues to deteriorate. I measured my hearing response at age 58, after I accidently demo a subwoofer at excessive loudness which caused hearing damage. Now my frequency response is 45hz - 14Khz. Before the accident I could hear those sweet violins at 17Khz, no more. I am hoping future NANO technology will be able to repair the cilia structures in my cochlea and bring back those missing frequencies.
@@MJ-ge6jz If / when medical "nano technology" is available, where do you think repairing minor damage to high frequency hearing will be in the priory list of treatments to be developed?
At one point i found myself Googling "best audiophile albums" and i fell into that trap of listening for the second violinist's breath etc then I had a realisation that I'd stopped enjoying music. I was so focused on tweaking and trying to hear minute details, with 43 year old ears ruined by late '90s Rock bars. I've settled on a reasonable system I've built over time and now i just listen to the bands i love... Not the recordings where you can hear the saxophonist's thoughts.
I agree with the second half of your statement, but would say it's okay to search for 'best audiophile album'. The nuance being why you search. I do these searches from time to time, and have found great (to me) new music, even in genres I don't usually listen to. The audiophile tag is a bit of a short cut since they're generally 'good' albums. For the same reason I listen to almost every new Pitchfork's 'best new album', no matter what genre. Just listen and appreciate, sometimes I love it and sometimes I respectfully disagree with the artist.
@rendyjansen Yeah I totally agree with you and I do still enjoy and respect decent production. I just fell into the trap of listening to music based on how it sounded, rather than how it made me feel. Some absolutely pristine recordings do nothing for me and yet some really rough demos make me emotional. I just think some audiophiles obsess over sound rather than music.
I'm 62 and started my audio journey at 21-22 yrs of age so around 40yrs ago. I have bought expensive and cheaper gear and have learned to adapt by keeping everything simple and not over thinking. Expensive just leads to more expensive and not a better listening experience. I say whatever produces the sound you like vs any cost is what matters and a true audiophile in my opinion puts the enjoyment before the equipment. Just purchase within your means and enjoy your music first 🎶
The funny thing is that even so-called non-audiophile genres like metal have nuances that a non-listener might not necessarily pick up on. I have definitely found that not having speakers or headphones with decent enough definition such as thin phone or TV speakers kind of turns it to mush and it's harder to hear things like note definition and transient response. Metal is so much more than "angry music" for those of us who take the time to appreciate it. Love this series as always and I definitely hate the gatekeeping and arbitrary classifications the audiophile community can have.
Thanks to your efforts I have a set of Elac B5.2s and the Fosi V3/P3 stack to listen to my ever-growing CD collection on. There are songs that I have heard literally thousands of times, and I am hearing them again for the first time with this equipment. Is it the best? Probably not, but who frickin cares. It gets the job done in my small home office and to me and my ear it sounds great! Thank you for all you do and for helping me get to a point to actually hear my music!
The cool thing about Chinese manufacturing is that the barrier to entry for quality hifi is lower than it's ever been. I started with headphones much earlier, so my first proper (not AV recceiver) stereo amp was an Onkyo A-9010 at $350. Today that entry level amp would probably have been a $150 Fosi Audio/any of the hot cheap amps now - better still a pair of monoblocks for $200+. The speakers were Pioneer SP-BS22-LR and I think they were $150 a pair. Today there are plenty more options to choose from at around the same price, and likely better too. There's a price point for everyone and no one should be begrudged their choice or their budgets. But I disagree with the music part! My nostalgia powered music is the poorly recorded and mastered pop, rap and alternative of the late 80s and the 90s - plus the electronica of the 2000s. I don't quite enjoy listening to them as much anymore because I can't bear how terrible they sound. Thanks to the hobby, I have since learned to love new genres of music, jazz, all kinds of stuff that's well recorded, striking a good balance between critical listening and enjoyable tracks. Sure, I'll take those trips down memory lane from time to time but I'm an SQ forward audiophile and not afraid to admit it. You know, it's like the whisky hobby too - it's not about what other people say, it's about what you like. If you can only take your Laphroaig on the rocks, more power to you, as long as you enjoy it!😜
If you are really listening and you like what you hear, give it a try. That has been 50 years for me. Stereo wars back in the day was a lot of fun! Trade and upgrade. I have never been able to purchase out of the “A” listening room. That’s ok because the “B” room and used equipment has been an amazing experience! Little changes have really been fun to grow with. Your channel Randy has really opened up the listening flood gates for me. Keep up the great work!!
Remember when you first heard that album? You know the one, you were probably 15 or 17 and it changed EVERYTHING! It pulled your heart out through your guts and rubbed it in your face. Remember now? Yeah, that one… Listening to some ‘audiophiles’ (a preposterous term) I believe they’re chasing unicorns trying to recreate that memory. Maybe they never experienced it in the first place. Let it go, the moment has passed. Whatever your budget, spend a quarter on hardware and the remainder on a stack of new music to enjoy.
@@kodacres7820 when I first got into good sound in high school, all of my gear was from thrift stores, from relatives, or from yard sales. I had to pay for my books, lab fees, and any extracurricular events, our money was TIGHT. I also worked at least 10 hours a week from the age of 15 on.
I’m really glad I came across this video, with the reach of your platform; this is something that really needs to be repeated from time to time. As a fellow fan of Good listening THANK YOU
To add to the "your music is garbage" reason is some will say the kind of music you listen to is wrong as well. It seems that if you don't listen to classical, jazz, or the live version of Hotel California, you're listening to the the wrong music.
@@paultomaszewski1964 There is an argument to be had about music you use to audition equipment. That said, don't audition equipment by playing classical or jazz if you never listen to it, pick well mastered songs in the genre you do listen to.
Great video Randy! The points you make are why Wiim has sold a boat load of Wiim Minis for $89. A great value oriented streamer that's best in class for the price point.
You're making the classic "audiophile" mistake of judging a product's performance based on its price point. The Wiim Mini streamer is bit perfect, e.g., if you use it as a pure streamer with its digital output into an external DAC, no other streamer can offer an audible upgrade with the same source material - within the limits of Toslink: And The Wiim Mini can even achieve 24/192kHz on the optical output. Even if a streamer is $10k or $100k, it can only offer the exact same sound quality through its Toslink output - or worse, like a modified output that someone subjectively thinks is better, but objectively is less correct - or if you're comparing to something older with a lower bitrate.
A well reproduced low-fi recording is a wonderful thing. People who can't hear the story of the music in something that was recorded poorly, with the tools available to the artist at the time, are missing out. These are the same people that would want an unmuffled There's a Riot Going On, or for Lou Barlow to re-record his stuff in a professional studio. These people are idiots.
I will admit that I am sometimes disappointed that some of the music I love was poorly recorded and that I only realized this once I had gear that would make that apparent...for example a lot of Led Zeppelin, most Boston...however that does not take away my enjoyment of that music, it just means I turn it up so I don't notice (the other benefit of good gear).
HOORAY ! I agree with all of your points. I am a retired EE in my 70s. I remember, as a kid, saving up my money to buy my first component system. It started with a Soundesign model 4370 receiver / amp which came with speakers. It was 3 watts per channel. I also bought the cheapest Radio Shack automatic turntable. The base actually cost extra. Once I had that, I was in business. I soon replaced the 4 inch drivers in the speakers with 4 inch acoustical suspension speakers from Radio Shack which were written up in the electronics magazines at the time as being an excellent value with a wide frequency response. I also filled the speakers with fiberglass insulation, and they actually sounded noticeably be3tter, more bass and crisper highs. It was what I could afford, and it provided me with hours of pleasure. I still say that is the important thing, to get a system you can afford, and which can meet your needs, and makes you happy. To get that, one doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, there is a LOT of used equipment out there which, if one has some electronics skills, can be refurbished to work like the day it was made, and will serve one for years to come, at a fraction of what new equipment would cost. I just bought and refurbished the exact same model 4370 system I had as a kid. Did a similar upgrade to the speakers too. Does it compete with my main system, a Marantz SR-4000 tuner / amp and Sony speakers ? No, but it sounds OK, and sure beats no music at all. It reminds me of where I started, and of the pleasure such a simple system gave me all those years ago.
A lot of it is people trying to justify their own spending. If you’ve dropped significant money on gear, a part of you wants to draw that line that validates the expense.
All I need is a system with good clarity, detail, and transients, minimal sibilance, solid (but not boomy) bass, well defined midrange, high signal to noise ratio, good soundstage and focus, adequate power output, sounds good at low volume as well as loud. Other than that, I'm not real picky, and any old stuff will do.
I have been an "audiophile" if that means using many audio components over the last 40 years from cheap to expensive, to enjoy music over the years, and I completely agree with this opinion.
I build speakers, lately about One Pair every month, and I have found cheap clearance drivers on-line, hand built crossovers, non traditional enclosures and good test equipment, I have been able to listen to great sound for 100 dollars connected to an ADCOM GFA 535.
@@deputy3690 There isn't always an actual physical difference in the sound. We are wired to hear differences where none exist if we don't use proper controls in our auditions. There are audiophiles who believe that placing cut out circles of blue paper placed under vases and other items in a room will improve the sound. I don't think blue paper cut outs placed strategically in a room will make any real audible difference. I knew a guy who firmly believed that placing photos of his relatives and pets in the kitchen freezer made substantial improvements in his stereo. I am not making that up. I don't think that makes a difference. I don't think there is "always" a difference.
I've been suffering from the FOMO syndrome since my first taste of HiFi as a teenager in the late 70's. Going bankrupt a year ago changed my desire to keep up with the Jones'. Sure I'd love a complete Emotiva system, but income dictates the wide line between needs and wants. So, if someone looks down their nose and tries to tell me that I have to get better gear to be in their league I give 'em a solid "okay buddy - thanks - bye". I am totally blessed to have hand-me-downs, open box, on sale and my dumpster diving fixed up gear to use for music and movies. The other even bigger blessing I have is the few friends that are also into affordable HiFi; rather they live nearby or far away to the South and Mid-West. You know who you are and I pray to Heaven above that I can return the favors 10x over. All the very best to everyone - enjoy the music!
I've been an audiophile for 40 years and I have learned more in the past couple of years than the previous 38! Audio has changed drastically from the original heyday of the 70's to today. I have a pair of $100 speakers bought a couple of years ago that challenge my high end speakers I bought in the late 70's for over $500 (in 70's dollars!). I used to chase accuracy, thinking that was the holy grail. I learned from Guttenberg and Resolve from The Headphone Show (just today!) that absolute accuracy is a myth. I can't wait to find out what I learn next! Great channel Randy.
I have been an audiophile, on and off, for over 60 years. When I started, stereo systems had TWO mono amps--there weren't stereo amps at the time. I have never had expensive stuff, but have always been very satisfied with what I had, and have. I am eighty now and still have three systems in my home and workshop with most equipment purchased in the 1980s and 90s, or brought back from Asia in the last 60s, courtesy of Uncle Sam. I still love it all!
The budget! Indeed, I think that's the most common blindspot for audiophiles: Simply forgetting that some people can't spend an endless amount on hi-fi. Of course, too many of these people have placed tens of thousand of dollars worth of equipment in totally untreated rooms. Thanks for taking these things up 👌🎶
The three major rules of stereo equipment • Like the way it looks • Like the way it sounds • try to get it for a good price It doesn’t matter if it’s old, new, cheap, expensive, or what. If you’re happy, then it’s good.
I didnt have a clue about amps or speakers and now thanks to your channel I have some decent speakers and amps, not audiophile but much better than anything I had before. Thank You
Don’t forget audiophiles whose opinions begin and end with graphs, or even worse, argue that because a company doesn’t provide in-depth measurements of their products, they’re actively trying to fleece the customer. Anytime malice is assumed, we’re moving in the wrong direction. NOTE: I’m not saying that measurements aren’t good or helpful. Even folks like Andrew Jones will tell you that the measurements and the listening are both extremely important. I’m more talking about the kinds of audiophiles that look solely at a reviewer’s measurements and graphs, and having NEVER LISTENED TO THAT SPEAKER ONCE, post their own “objective” assessment of that speaker’s worth based on their interpretations of that reviewer’s measurements.
I find lifting the cables can change the sound slightly, that being said 4k or 1k seems excessive when there is scrap wood available. People dump good stuff in the trash all the time.
Common sense will tell you that the room is about 20% of the final sound. The wiim ultra with its dsp is a very good way to deal with some of the negative room effects at a very cost effective price.
Common sense will tell you the earth is flat, the ground is solid and the sun, moon and stars travel around us. Science will tell us what is objectively true without human error. How would you even gauge the sound of your room? What would you compare it to? You can't quick switch room acoustics.
In response to the criticism that pop music was insubstantial teenage fluff, Pete Townshend once said good popular music moves your head, your heart or your feet and that the best popular music moves all three.
Rock on, cheapaudioman. You provide quality content. Some of your work has benefitted my system. Although my system isn't like yours, I like it. That makes me lucky. I have known several audiophiles with more than 200k invested in their room and system who are perpetually unhappy with what they own. The designer Jeff Rowland used to speak about audio playback in terms of parts per thousand and parts per million. I think that is sometimes a useful way of looking at the issue.
I became an audiophile in the mid '60s. The word "audiophile" means "hi-fi enthusiast". For some reason, people today think it means having really deep pockets and spending enormous amounts of money. I personally have spent around $6,000 on gear over the last 60 years. That included a new Pioneer SX-1980 and Klipsch Cornwall speakers.
Yes - You are absolutely correct about people’s disposal income. We must watch what we say to people and offer kind words to everyone up and down the income stream.
I remember an audiophile of 30+ years arguing with someone who worked in a high end components shop that their 20 y/o system was the best system available. The guy from the shop explained that he listens to multiple new setups a month and theres more than certainly been something better released in the last 20 years and that having a 'preference' for something is not the same as that thing being the best. The audiophile was having none of it, his arguement being that his setup cost him £40k, therefore it has to be the best. The biggest fans of something are usually the most obnoxious person to have a conversation with, its always them playing one-upmanship or trying to catch you out on the most trivial point.
Many of the speakers I've tried, mostly cheap ones, sound great at the right volume in the right places in the right rooms, but then can't seem to be made to sound good in another room in any position at any volume. So I think the room and speaker placement, along with listening volume can make a huge difference in how good or bad a speaker sounds. The only thing I find that's relatively consistent is that the lowest end of the speaker offerings are usually much more sensitive to volume than higher, typically more expensive speakers. The good news isn't that expensive speakers sound better at a variety of volume levels. The good news is that even really inexpensive or trash picked speakers often sound great if you play then at just the right level.
I agree, and this is true for the amp as well I tend to like listening at lower levels, even while the family thinks it's too loud. I have tried different levels, measuring with a phone app (for what it's worth). Apparently I do listen at much lower levels than the TH-cam channels reviews refer to. Why is 80-90 DB so important?
@pascalmartin1891 I'm with you. I actually listen at levels low enough that regular people think it's nice and soft, but that's only some of the time. I think the reason that such high listening levels are important to the industry is that those are the standard nominal levels for real orchestral instruments at like 1 meter away. It's really too loud for comfortable listening, and of course it really applies specifically to acoustic instruments designed in the era before electronic amplification. Trumpet, viola, timpany - those were made to fill a large hall where half of the people would be more than 12 meters away. The closest audience members in those settings are 3 meters away at least. But the db level at one meter is a reference that is used to create loudspeakers, even cheap ones. So it's interesting to know that often even very junky speakers played in their sweet spot volume range can sound remarkably good compared to the levels they more typically get played at.
This is why I come here, the honesty and sincerity. Couldnt be more on the money here. Some folks dont have the family member to hand them down all their kick ass gear they get bored with, or the wherewithal to spot the good used gems at yard sales. Some folks budgets allow them for an improperly rated amazon special desktop amp and some bookies from Sony. I was lucky enough going back when best buy still carried sony turntables, marantz receivers and JBL speakers, if you waited for the right time of year you could put together a semi-nice rig for not too much.
Great video! What matters is the happiness of the listener. Per watching your videos I picked up the Wiim Amp and the Sony SSCS5s and I couldn’t be happier!
I love your take on room treatment. I have a good system but the listening space is also our living room and I can’t just make changes to the room for the purpose of dialing in the perfect arrangement of equipment.
Thank you for the great content. This really hit home. I remember when I was starting out and I can barely afford a Yamaha receiver that I wanted. It was just a two channel 80 W per channel. Someone told me that I should have gotten a different receiver because it had more power, I got what I could afford memories thanks again for the great Content🎉
Loved this video. Your examples were perfect examples of how we look atmost things. I have been an audio enthusiest for 33yrs. Since I was 15. There are many tiers in audio and everyone is great IMO. If you want to spend more money good on you but dont say something is bad because it's inexpensive or you think something else is more worth it. Audio is subjective everything is good to someone. And then there is diminishing returns. But that a whole other episode.
I've been a listener for decades and I like my home system but I've heard incredible systems at Hi End Audio Shows. But those systems are enormous (usually) and always very expensive. In the end, you must audition components and system with music material you are familiar with and in the room you use in your home. What sounds good in a demo room might not in your home.
To draw a parallel, I've found that there has been similar gatekeeping and toxicity in the whiskey world and I've noticed a number of parallels between whiskey enthusiasts and audiophiles. Over on the Whiskey Tribe TH-cam channel, they like to say "the best whiskey is the whiskey you like, the way you like to drink it." I think that sentiment should carry over to the audiophile world too. With DACs and not single malts, of course.
I’ve got cathedral ceilings in my living room, and a pair of JBL-L166 Horizons from 1977. I had my carpenter friend build me a set of special stands for them, which cut out the echo completely. You don’t always need to change the room. I’ve hung studio monitors from the ceiling before. Being creative is the fun part of the hobby.
I've been an audiophile for 50 years. I am constantly surprised by what kit still comes on the scene. Just buy something you like the sound of and can afford - but keep buying music (or stream something new, whatever your source preference). If you want a good place to start with your gear, do this: 1. Find a small music venue that presents music you like. 2. Go on an open mic night. Many of the artists are happy to talk to you. 3. Ask an artist you like what they listen to at home. Most are on a budget and spend their money *really* well.
I have been listening to music and loving it for 50+ years. I have used everything from a tube bakerite radio to my Focal Headphones with a top-of-the-line dac/amp. I am blessed to have worked hard and saved as much as I could while supporting a family. My position is this. Enjoy the music with what you have. If someone asks for advice, provide such. If not let's keep our mouth shut. I have a stereo system but a lot of the time, I enjoy headphones. One can enjoy the music one likes and not hear the family wanting you to turn it down, change tracks or other interruptions.
I had a Dynaco Stereo 70, AR-3 speakers, Thorens TD124 with Shure's top cartridge. I went into a High end store to see what they had and was told everything I had was Junk ! The arrogance is a feature of HIGH END >
It strange to hear that you have to pay for medical care. A friend was hit by a car. The impact was so severe that it broke many bones in his body including crushing his sinuses. The police shut the road to investigate his death. His was airlifted to a hospital that could cope with his injures. He spent a month in intensive care while receiving many operations. He spent a year in a neurological ward and a further 6 months in a rehabilitation centre. The cost was £0.00
I wish that more people who take a keen interest in audio also took at least a passing interest in the basics of audio electronics design. I've been designing and building my own preamps and power amplifiers for over 40 years, and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's perfectly possible to build your own power amplifier for peanuts that will sound identical to one costing tens of thousands of dollars. That said, I don't care if a rich person gets ripped off due to their own stupidity.
40 years of vinyl listening and I just learned yesterday what goes into calibrating a turntable. 40 years of "pick up needle" and "put down needle". this weekend I calibrate and see if I even can tell the difference.
Pretentiousness, Eliteism, and plain speaking, Snobbery abounds in this hobby. There are a few humble influencers out there, but few and far between. Thank you for always providing me with solid perspectives and advice. I don't always agree, but when I have followed your advice, I have usually been very happy and satisfied. Take care, and all the very best, Sir.
I really appreciated this video because forums and videos are FULL of “advice” that’s a real turn-off to newbies. Also, I LOVE my Fosi/SMSL/Topping etc equipment. I get to play with it and find out what I enjoy.
In the late 70's I worked at a high end audio store( Linn sondek, Acoustic Research etc etc) and after i got fed up with customers competing with them selves and others with how much they thought their systems sounded and how much it cost; instead of listening to the music itself. When I left i bought the best turntable i could afford( Systemdek) along with a boombox with a phono input. All I wanted was to listen and not destroy my vinyl
I've been into music and audio since the 70s when I got my first Kiss record and played it on my mickey mouse phonograph lol. Even had a job in the 80s as an equipment setup and sound guy for local venues. However I've never had the budget to get the higher end stuff and have learned over the years how to make the "cheap" stuff work for me. I've recently decided to start upgrading my home system and have no idea what's good or not out there and it's super frustrating looking around all these forums and reviewers because anytime the question is asked about products in my price range are asked about there is never an answer other than its junk and get this or that which is so far above my budget. Right now my system would give anyone that identifies as an audiophile a coronary lol. It's Frankenstein together but it sounds good. I have enjoyed your videos because you do many things within my budget and not full of yourself. So carry on and keep doing what you're doing.
Most people don't have the luxury of building a dedicated room for HiFi listening. Plus they are extremely limited in speaker positioning (most have them less than 12" from the wall) . Room treatment is an option that most aren't willing or able to invest in. But... room correction is here to save the day with all of this. I find it bizarre and funny that most "audiophiles" don't take the time to measure and correct the bass modes in their room as it's cheap, pretty easy and makes huge differences that spending thousands on new equipment can't achieve.
I have a PC desktop setup in the corner of the room against a wall. I use a DSPeaker room correction unit and it sounds great. Press the "bypass" key and its shocking how bad it sounds uncorrected.
@@scottwheeler2679 While I'm in no position to test the difference between acoustic treatment and room correction common sense tells me that room correction must be better for certain issues. I get that you want to reduce echo and reverb by treating your room but that is mainly done via furnishings. Bass modes need specific treatments that, depending on the frequency of the mode, the room layout, and the speaker position, require different types and amounts of treatment. So there seems to be growing evidence that correcting those modes (specific to your main listening position) is not only cheaper but far easier and, crucially, more effective.
@@c0mbat15 Beware of personal common sense. It will betray you. And beware of overly broad brush strokes when you reference "acoustic treatment" and "room correction." Both come in a multitude of flavors and different degrees of effectiveness. Objective tests have clearly demonstrated that mere room furnishings barely touch the substantial acoustic issues any basic room inherently carries within it. When you start 6 large flat reflective surfaces (four walls a ceiling and floor) common room furnishings will barely affect it. Room modes don't necessarily need tuned traps to address them. That is a common presumption based on the common practical situation that in most cases the size of a broad band bass absorber would be impractical to use in a given room where as a membrane velocity trap is more space effective and far more practical. But the reality is if one can use a large enough absorber broad band absorption will work all the way down to 20 hz. ( I know this because that's what I did) And there are huge differences in room correction DSPs. Not to mention there is no reason to treat it as an either/or proposition. Neither works better individually than both in tandem. DSPs are easier and cheaper. But most of them have one substantial problem, they don't improve decay rates. They can only somewhat flatten out the transient response. The RT is still purely a function of the room's physical dissipation of the bass energy. The only DSP that can improve decay times are ones that involve wave cancellation schemes. And those rely heavily on the room treatments doing a major share of the work allowing the DSPs to be better targeted.
The best advice for young people getting into HiFi is your first point: get yourself an inexpensive stereo amp, some speakers, and a streamer or turntable. None of it has to be fancy. Set it up and listen to music that’s not on AirPods. My daughter did that - used Technics turntable, Denon receiver from Goodwill, Polk bookshelfs from eBay. Maybe $300 total. She friggin’ loves it. She thinks it sounds awesome. Why would any supposed “audiophile” want to tell her it’s crappy? I mean, it is crappy. But I tell her I think it sounds fantastic. If she ever asks me how to make this or that part better, I’ll tell her. If she doesn’t, I’ll listen to music on her system with her any day. That’s what being an audiophile is. That other stuff is just being a tool.
I've had only a few audio devices for 40 years, but I know for sure that old cheap ones from the eastern Soviet bloc don't play as well as new and more expensive ones with new technological developments... usually cables from the store limit the pleasure of listening, and by replacing 3 sets of professional audio cables, I improved my experience of listening to music 3 times. without millions, but 3000$ for all the equipment I had to spend to be happy with what I hear.. really happy. These records play completely differently on good equipment. Amazing!
I think most audiophiles listen to music they don't like just because it makes their HiFi system sound good. Most of them are old codgers that have an attenuated frequency response and don't know what they're really hearing anyway.
I moved with my wife 3 times. I said, you can do at home what you want, if I can place my gear to sound best. We agreed. Then came the day: why are the speakers so far (70cm to the wall) in the living room, she asked. I put them 20cm more back. She listend and asked irritated what else I have changed. Nothing. She: put them back where they need to be…😂🎉
You’re so right! It took me more than 20 years to finally get to what is to me a kick butt, beautiful sounding system. Except for the Emotiva MR1,11.2 receiver, everything else was bought used one by one: Four Polk Audio Lsi 15, one Lsi C, and one Golden ear SuperSub X.
Some audiophiles are so busy with the components for the hifi system, they forget the main thing: Listening to music. They can't enjoy music.
But they can hear the piano player tap his foot and know they had leather soled slip on loafers that night 😁
YES! Who cares Music and your enjoyment is all the Counts. Love being Cheap most of this stuff is Overpriced Regardless of Salesmen Marketing Brainwash. Any AV Head will hunt down used Refurbished Thrift Black Friday Swap w friends. Joy in saving money to spend on Used Physical Media formats.
Agreed! I'm almost certain that I enjoy my records on my Fluance turntable through my Denon AV receiver and Jamo speakers more than many snobbier audiophiles enjoy their music.
Satisfaction of your listening ear is the key of a good music lover whether you are a cheap audiophiler or a high end audio equipment audiophiler...
@@CJNoobersonso if you could hear that same music with more detail, depth and soundstage, you would pass because suddenly you wouldn't "be listening to the music "?
I've been an audiophile for 38 years. I haven't got a clue about anything.
In which case, shortcuts such as "Don't buy anything under $5000" are really helpful to appear knowledgeable ;)
Me too!
@@weswheel4834 Ha, ha, ha! True!
@@andywrollo2915 I've been an audiophile for 35 years and don't know much either.
I just like to get the best sound out of my existing setup for as long as possible until it breaks and no longer sounds good. I also like to buy for longevity and ease of use for the lowest $$ feasible. Been that way since 1979
I am a fortunate relatively poor person with little disposable income, and most so-called audiophiles would probably scoff at the stereo system that I have managed to assemble over the years. Fact is, I really don't care what they think because my music sounds great to my ears, and I am thoroughly enjoying my stereo system on a daily basis.
I do like hearing about all of the new and improved gear, and I will use that information if I ever need to replace what I have - so keep doing what you are doing.
I would never scoff at the system someone else has. If you like it, it's right for you. There is no reason to ever spend money you don't have to compete with anyone else, they don't listen to it, you do. What I would do is invite you over to my house to listen to mine, and we could have a couple of beers and discuss music and gear. Cause, in reality, isn't that what it's REALLY about?
@@thetech207 Totally agree with you on what you are saying because this could be the new way to look at Hi Fi from now on because " We are the real Hi Fi people out there ?? just enjoy the music.
Everyone has a path. Just don't get stuck with things that don't matter. Keep an open mind and especially open ears, don't fall into the trap of people trying to tell you that you are wrong. You figure out your path through bad choices or "right now" choices. This is how you find your path.
You're exactly right. The diminishing returns add up fast, and even buying a $200 HD6XX will get you 95% of the way to the best sound. As long as you enjoy what you have, there's no reason to upgrade. Chances are, spending $10,000 wouldn't make you enjoy your favorite music any more than you already do (once the novelty wears off), so what's the point in wasting money chasing diminishing returns?
@@practicallyalive Absolutely! Also, listen to your music on your first system for a long time before upgrading. If you think you need to upgrade, think about trying cheap room modifications first. Throw rug, wall art, plants(real or fake) will help the sound of your system. It also helps with the wife acceptance factor.
I was in the "HiFi" sales business back in the 80's and 90's. I always tried to give my customers the best opportunity to get pleasure from their purchase. I always felt that any system was better than the clock radio they might be listening to. Pursuing the "nth" degree of audiophiledom is a fun hobby but not for everyone. If the system you have gives you pleasure and sounds good to you, you can enjoy the hobby. Keep up the good word.
I try to do this with family and friends as well. If you push products out of their comfort zone they will just end up with a Walmart soundbar
After having been down that rabbit hole for a while, I can say especially in HiFi there is a lot of "different" sound, but it's very hard to define if there is actually one that's better than the other. To a certain degree of course you can easily tell that a speaker sounds better than a much cheaper alternative.
But I'd say, within the 2,000 Dollar price range you get 90% of what you'll get if you spend 10k or even more.
I've had the Wharfedale Lintons for a while and switched to Wharfedale Aura 2 a couple weeks ago. They cost 2k Euros (here in Germany) and they have that laid back british sound, but with more detail than the Lintons. It's the happiest I've been in a long time with a speaker. I wouldn't say they're better, because the Lintons simply do everything extremely well. More a matter of taste (sound- and designwise).
Compared to other entertainment tech, speakers are really a matter of what you like and what you need. Other with TVs for example, because in most cases you can very clearly a good from a bad picture quality, an OLED from an LED, etc. And also, usually bigger is always better, if you're into movies. It's easy.
Speakers are their own unique science.
@@Schlock3000 "Speakers are their own unique science."
Very true. I wanted something efficient for my little triode amps so I bought a 40 year old pair of Lowther Acousta 115s for £300 off Ebay. I spent a further £550 replacing the drive units. Lowther still make something very similar for £7K. There's something I like about single driver horns despite the space they occupy.
The HiFi business in the 80s sounds like a dream.
I used to sell audio products too. Mostly all in one systems rather than hi end seperates. Some sounded demonstratably much better than others 🎶🇬🇧
You’d be shocked how many audiophiles don’t have acoustically treated rooms. You spend 2K on a cable, but then you have bare walls.
You would be shocked that too many people believe treating a room and having a $500 system think it makes it sound like a $10000 system most belong to asr forum
Many of us don't have the luxury of a dedicated listening space and have to share rooms with our families who may not be thrilled with room treatment all over the walls.
Course if you live in your basement with no friends or family and never see the light of day, room treatment is an awesome idea.😜
I have a dedicated room with some treatment done. But I do have friends.
I got denon 4700h and mid range wharfedale speakers. Got as well svs sub for £600. And treated the living room with acustic panels. Plus got a lot of plants. I mean like real a lot of big bloody plants. Nice soft furniture. My system sounds so nice. I mean seriously lovely
@@jimfarrell4635 Not what I'm saying. I'm saying that if you spend thousands of cables, but you don't treat your listening space (whether you can't or not is irrelevant), then you're wasting your money on cables.
Rick Beato once made the offhanded comment to the effect of why buy audio equipment that has tighter specs than the studio music production equipment.
apples to oranges. When the differences in the playback gear/room/DSP are no longer audible then you have reached the real thresholds
I agree with that.
I suppose it depends on what you listen to. Studios are not created equally. No need to spend 100K on a hifi if you listen to Indy music created in an artist's mom's basement. If however, you consume music from the likes of octave records or Telarc (from the old days) then you can bet they spent money on the good stuff.
@@CraftyZA But those types of records are very limited. The vast majority of music is produced using vanilla Mogami cables and such. Not to mention music from the 60s and to some extent 70s is produced cheaply on inferior equipment. Things got better in the 80s but even then most music was produced cheaply. True audiophile recordings are rare.
@@CraftyZA People spend thousands on vinyl setups but then they listen to Elvis. First of all the vinyl pressing was from a digital master if it’s new so that kind of defeats the purpose. If it’s an original pressing from the 50s or 60s, that’s gonna have so much noise, it defeats the purpose to spend thousands. Second, that’s gonna music was not recorded using audiophile grade cables, microphones and equipment.
The best video you have done. Being an audiophile means you are someone who loves music and likes to hear it in the best quality you can...
For me, beeing an audiophile means you are someone who loves technique and brands, and "sound", much more than you love music...
Exactly.
I would add one word to your sentence to democratize it. That word is AFFORD. I'd suggest the following... Being an audiophile means you are someone who loves music and likes to hear it in the best quality you can AFFORD! This way the $2,000 amps and $1,800 tuners aren't needed to enjoy music \ audio that sounds good to you. Affordable music can be good music if you put in the effort to source the best available equipment in your price range.
Gotta say that I just gifted my 23 year old daughter an older Sony 2 channel amp receiver, my “old” recent enough Pioneer turntable with an upgraded stylus, and a set of old Optimus 3 way large bookshelf speakers that I bought local for $25. Not only does it sound really good, but she loves it, and it’s something I have been able to share with her and bring into her home. I have my own RT85 and system, nothing $$$, but it makes me smile, and now this makes her smile. That’s what it is all about. Thanks again, Randy.
Good to hear your daughter is a cool girl who appreciates proven audio equipment. Most modern women start hyperventilating when you install them real speakers with cables.
@@bertitolino 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Same here. I gave my 21 YO daughter my old college Technics turntable, she found a Denon receiver at Goodwill and Polk speakers on eBay. She buys records at flea markets and thrift stores. And she absolutely loves listening to them with her friends. That’s as audiophile as it gets.
I’ve watched many of your videos, and honestly have not been enthusiastic about a lot of them. But, this video shows balls and backbone. Flying in the face of the elitist, esoteric audiophile. Particularly your comments on the influence of the room.
I’ve spent 40 years + assembling an audio system that reproduces music the way I prefer to hear it. The nature of my job is that I’m frequently required to up sticks and move home. My hi-fi always accompanies each move. So, I’ve experienced listening to my hi-fi in a multitude of listening environments. Different room dimensions. Different construction materials, Etc. Without exception, it is always the sonic characteristics of my hi-fi which dominate the listening experience, not that of the room. And yes, I sincerely believe that ‘the stuff of life’, carpets, curtains, cushions, sofas, rugs, wives, children and pets are normally more than sufficient to tame the room down to acceptable RT60 levels. I urge all of you vulnerable audiophiles, not to have room anxiety. Often costly solutions are marketed to solve almost insignificant issues.
Great work Randy.
The REL subwoofer FB page is one of the most Toxic audio communities I’ve personally come across.
I asked a simple question about my input on my 1205 mk2 subwoofers and all I got was:
-My Anthem AVR sucks for music.
-My room is atrocious and needs room treatment
-My speakers are placed wrong
-I shouldn’t put my AVR on top of my power amp.
No one actually answer my question
High-Level input is a 😮
Rel marketing strategy
JLA cr-1 active crossover
@ The REL 1205 don’t have hi-level inputs. They have two low level inputs with one designated as lfe. My question was if there was a difference between the two low level inputs, I was curious if one had different filters or not.
What's Facebook?
@@CarlVanDoren61 The Rel FB community is full of themselves who mindlessly repeat dogma for sure :-) That said, my personal experience with a few Rel subs across a few systems is that it that the high level input was clearly better. I also preferred overlapping the subs with the mains, without using an active crossover. So your milage may vary, but a marketing strategy I would say no. FWIW John Hunter guidelines on setup are not BS, as he is known in the industry as a "setup master", from before his Rel days, where he developed something called the "Sumiko Master Speaker Setup Guide" (fancy words 😆). What is BS is the idea that you can simply apply the same rules to any room. I personally got the best results, when I used live sweeps in REW to position my dual subs.
I found the REL videos on the REL Acoustics channel helpful. I was very pleased with being able to tune, place and adjust the crossover of my REL Acoustics Tzero MKIII Subwoofer. Don't give up.
I’ve been an audiophile for 50 years. I started with a new Yamaha CR800 Receiver in 1974. The Speakers and Turntable from 1974 are long gone, but I recently got the CR800 out of the basement closet and it operates like new! I have recently paired it with a set of EMOTIVA XB2 speakers on sale for $399, a BluDento BLT-HD Bluetooth Audio Receiver for $80, and a Fluance RT82 Turntable for $299. So, for recently spending about $780, I’m back in business and am enjoying the hell out of it! Thanks, Randy for getting me back into audio after seeing one of your TH-cam videos about a month or so ago.
ROTEL...
RA 1000
RD 1010
RT 1000
RP 1010 + OM10
RCD 951
WHAFERDALE DIAMOND 10.5
... enaugh ...
@ron8994 You probably should have the electrolytic capacitors replaced in the Yamaha. It's a ticking bomb to self destruct, unless you already have. I love Yamaha. It historically has been the best value in mass market gear. I have a MX2000 Amp from about 1987. Had it recapped and it sings so sweetly.
Having just retired from a lifetime in consumer electronics it has never
ceased to amaze me what some "Audiophiles" will believe.
They remind me of the people that by an EV thinking they are saving the planet.
These strange people have been around for decades, they accept at face value
what the Hi-Fi press tell them without thinking that they are been fed BS.
The markup on all those expensive cables and accessories keep them happy
and dealers make far more selling them than the gear.
What always struck me when i visted their homes that apart from a room full
of very expensive gear, there was little else and certainly no large collection
of media to listen to.
Still it kept me employed trying to find faults that didn't exist, it's amazing
what you can do with a magic ofc screwdriver,
One of my favorite - as in hilariously ridiculous - audiophile idiocies is "cable elevators", which as far as I can see are just "repurposed" (I hate that silly term) high voltage insulators. I have a free clue for the "golden ears" with more money than brains: raising your speaker cables two or three inches - or two or three feet, for that matter - off the floor isn't going to make one damned bit of difference in the sound of your system. I guarantee it.
A huge problem is people being snarky keyboard warriors. We are all so impolite and impersonal to one another online that we forget that this is a passion that is supposed to drive positive feelings. However, it is that passion that drives us all to do deep dives, hundreds of hours of research, second guessing, and validating our choices and purchases against a subjective and ever changing experience. In a sense, most audiophiles are simply people that have been driven by their passion to complete their own neurotic battle to get the best experience we can, chasing that dragon. It IS exhausting, especially over time, and to see someone making "mistakes" we may have made long ago, it can be frustrating, and we want to save them time or money by offering our advice. But there is a massive lack of gentlemanly conversation, treating others with disrespect because we're all reduced to letters on a screen and not a physical body with thoughts and feelings. Which is kind of funny because this journey is all about the physics and physical nature of the experience.
You deserve more likes with this post
@hipidipi20157max why thank you. Unfortunately that seems to be the way the internet goes 🤣 they say you can laugh or cry, the internet makes me want to do both lol
I just hate it when people disqualify tone control and loudness because it's not "pure" or "as the artist intended". There're cool functions, in some cases boost the enjoyment and correct some specific issues you might have. It's your system!
In fact, proper loudness control that matches the fletcher-munson curve actually makes things more accurate. So it's closer to the recording or "what the artist intended".
I agree ! Just try the same system in a good room, then in a bad one , you’ ll find why you need tone controls in some cases.
In most cases what you hear is the sound of the room more than the sound of the system, especialy at loud levels…
I personally love preamps or integrated amplifiers that have tone control.
Most artist's intention is that you will enjoy their music. So it becomes not really a bragging point to say such and such system plays music "as the artist intended"
Yes, the same music that has been recorded through a 72 channel SSL4000 console with 4 parametric eq’s per channel (you do the math) and countless outboard compressors, distressors, limiters and expanders. And guess what? No Audioquest cable to wire that gigantic console………. Now ask any of these audiophiles what were they saying about eq and “pureness” of audio signal ???
Many people fear they are missing out (FOMO) but don't have the confidence in their ears. Lots of people have a big hole inside, through no fault of their own, and think it can be filled with the "perfect" hifi, car, chair, shirt, aftershave, phone... Companies exploit that.
I read a comment once regarding 'audiophiles'...
An 'audiophile' listens to their system, everyone else just appreciates the 'music'.
I think it's pretty-much spot-on.
a real audiophile goes to concerts
Over 20 years ago, I was told by an audio store salesman that I couldn't buy a good CD player for $700. Snobbery at its finest.
Ha, the snobs would blow a gasket. They need to realize that not everyone is rich.
Poor guy.
When I got back into vinyl a couple years ago I fell for the "if you don't have this or that turntable, amp or speakers you're not going to be happy " well, I use a nearly 50nyear old technics sl-1800 paired with wharfedale 12.2 bookshelf speakers, yamaha a-s701 amp, schiit mani 2 pre and svs sb-1000 pro sub. Seems like it's good to me. Trying to keep up with the Jones will only create frustration. Buy what you like and sounds good to you, after all, you're the only one who's going to be listening to it anyway. No one really cares how much you spent on your 'audiophile " setup
@@12_inch_spinnerz can't get back into vinyl. Hate flipping the disc over every 20 minutes or so, and turntables are finicky as hell in the real world.
Hi fi is like wine meaning a lot of cobblers is spoken about it. Each and everyone has different hearing, if it sounds good to you then that's a win.
And like wine, there is a lot of B.S. around it. People who claim that a wine is flinty, reminiscent of wet shoe leather, notes of hibiscus and elder flowers, etc, are likely full of crap. Much of the same non-specific language is used for audio as well.
Perfect definition! I just want to wrote the same. The best hi-fi is the ine which sound the best to YOU. I heard about one professional musician, "classic music", who installed in his house PA (really, stage equipment for live music) and he claim that this is the "win combination". Why not? For him... Should I by the oscilloscope to analize sound shape produced from hi-fi and compare it with "original source"? With what kind of mic?
Enjoy the music...
The simple fact, is that "audiophiles" pay for exclusivity, and bragging rights.
Handmade, limited availability isn't necessarily better... it just costs more.
Lets be honest, most people can't hear any difference anyway... but still think they might gain something by paying more than they need to.
For every sucker, there is a salesman waiting.
I love JBL because they have volume. Makes good stuff cheanper
we live in a country that eulogises con artists!
Just, naw, naw and naw. If I didn't hear the differences I'd still be listening to my tinny bright Walkman.
If you can't hear the differences then you've won straight out the box. Lucky you.
@user-jg4fu3rd9c my main system is £40,000 plus all in, cables, furniture everything and I know it's not the best system out there - to me it's entry level high end. It's the best I can afford. Does it sound better than the old entry level CA integrated and budget MA speakers I started with. Hell yeah. Does it sound better than my old Quad Elite and Harbeth's also hell, yeah. Makes me happy and I can't be evicted :D
@@EddyTeetree And elects them president.
I'm a Cerwin Vega fan so I'm obviously not an audiophile, but.. my listening area is 15 feet from my front channels out of necessity so most bookshelf speakers aren't gonna cut it. I hope the industry goes back to 12 and 15" 3-way speakers being the norm without having to get a bank loan to afford them.
35 years ago I had the Cerwin Vega 316R's (15" 3-way large floor speakers) and today I'm using the Cerwin Vega VS-150, which is a similar 3-way 15" speaker. An audiophile is someone that is a hi-fi enthusiast. We strive to get the best sounding gear that we can afford.
I love my 30+ year old AT-12's. I refoamed them 6 years ago and will still shake the stuff on the shelves.
I am 178 years old and use a pair Klipsch K- horns connected to my Victrola for near field listening. If you do anything else, you’re woefully under under informed.
I am 178000 years old and remember the first song made with horns
wax cylinders are where it's at!
Nah K horns stink, and probably honks like a goose🪿! You need Realistic speakers. ANY OTHER BRAND WON'T SOUND REALISTIC. Lol My amp will melt your wax bwahaha!!!
I met a serious audio man, audio store owner, and DJ upstate in New Paltz. He had plenty of high end gear, let me audition it, and each time I came up, we listened, he educated me, and showed me tweaks, which transformed my whole studio/sound system. We talked about where to spend more, where to spend less, and why. That man also took some gear outside and spun vinyl with gear I could afford, instead of those $20,000 speakers, $500 interconnects, and $5000 preamps in his shop. Music is about how it relates to YOU, or as a DJ, makes us feel warm, fuzzy, funky, and want to dance all night. I have crates, pictures, my bed, furniture, TVs, books, and the gear itself that made this room sound so much better. The biggest FACT is, NONE of you can tell me, nor bully me what to do with MY MONEY, and if you need to preach your purist, biased, and self entitled agendas, do it inside your house to your pets ,wife, and children, for all I care... The world does not have listening rooms and anerobic chambers in your $4,654, 652 renovated Chapel you bought to record/listen to Chamber music. They are busy having fun at home while they cook/clean, have house parties, listening while they travel. and going out to shake their booty.
I have been an audiophile for 50 years and....its all about the music lol. seriously, all the music I love, I first heard on a small transistor radio, powered by a battery and one small 3 inch speaker
My GF loves her music on her Android phone. I guess that makes her an Audiophile. I never thought about her like that before.
PS, if that 3" speaker is a Fostex FE83, you could still qualify as Audiophile ;)
@@hugobloemers4425 Yes it does. "Audiophile" means someone who loves recorded music.
Good music & good recordings are different things. Plenty of music moves me but I wouldn't pretend it's well recorded or "audiophile". Of course the best experience is finding music that ticks both boxes.
Audiophile music is often un-listenable.
@@hugobloemers4425 do you have specific examples? I am curious about trying these..
If the recording is more important than the music you end up with listening to mostly mediocre nondescript performances of pieces you don't care for. A recording is what it is, especially if you go back into the 20th century or even in its first half. With classical music and opera in particular (but also certain types of jazz and blues), the greatest performances on record are by artists who died decades before the term "High Fidelity" was even invented! My definition of good equipment is that it should bring out the best from any recording, be it a state-of-the-art hi-res digital one or a phonograph record from the 1910s. In fact, the poorer the original recording is, the more important good listening equipment becomes. An ancient, already distorted and noisy recording can afford much less to lose any of what is available than a top-quality Hi-Fi one, since the difference with additional sonic problems piled on an already compromised recording (think worn 78rpm shellac disc, cassette tape recorded from the audience at a performance, off-the-air tape from AM radio...) will often be a fundamental one of intelligibility of sung or spoken words, or recognizability of different instruments in an ensemble, rather than a comparatively arcane loss in soundstage depth or some such subtle thing typically discussed in audiophile context. You can only explore and enjoy the whole ca. 130 years of recorded music if your system takes kindly to whatever sound quality is put into it. Transparency, good transient response, a neutral and flat-response midrange, and a dry listening ambience are mandatory and will benefit every kind of recording alike (but also lay bare any flaws in modern multitrack mixes, don't say I didn't warn you....)
@@truesoundchris Cool, I can find my self in a lot you describe here.
I must disagree. "AUDIOPHILE" simply means one who is a lover of what one hears, if you know the linguistic roots of the word. As for recordings, there are acoustically recorded Edison cylinder records in my collection to the latest MP3 digital files, and all of it gives me pleasure, and hence are "audiophile" recordings. The problem arises because the word "audiophile" has come to mean "audio snob."
I'm not an audiophile, I'm a music fan and Cheapaudioman helped me pick a sub $500 system that sounds better than anything I've owned before and better than some fairly expensive systems roommates had. Recent new addition: Philips CD player w digital out for $4.
I recently moved 2 tables and opened up my small listening area, then hung some fleece blankets on shelves next to the speakers and it made a huge difference in soundstage width. Cost me $16. 😁
Thank you for say “player” and not “transport”!
I've been an "Audiophile" for 30 years. Know what I've learned? Use what sounds good to you. Don't be afriad to try new things and just go with what ya like cheap or expensive doesn't matter. What ever lets you enjoy your music and get that acoutic therapy. I have a friend that still uses his mid 2000s Aiwa shelf system, looks like a damn space ship and has a sick 5 disc changer with 200watts!!! Its his end game and he has it cranked all the time for the last 20 years.
Thanks for this. It always annoys me when someone posts their budget, asking for suggestions, and some jerk says "save up until you have XXX." I think it's fun to help people with a small budget get started with cheap used gear, and the beauty of it is, in today's market, if you make good choices you can get remarkably good sound for pretty darned cheap.
I put my system together about two years ago. I am in my 50s and have tinnitus and a room with tile floors. Does it sound perfect? Maybe not to someone else, but it sounds pretty damn good to me.
Aiyima A07 Amp $80
Aiyima T9 DAC $100
Elac B6.2 Debut 2 $300( on sale)
12 year old Blu Ray Player as a CD player (don't remember what I paid)
My enjoyment of this cheap system: $$Priceless
So you're the "real" cheapaudioman. Nothing wrong with that. Enjoy the music !!!
A funny thing happened when we retired. Got a bigger house with a room that is great for my system. Then I started taking piano lessons (bucket list). I now spend more time playing piano than listening to music on my system.
A few years ago I started producing my own music, just for myself and for my pleasure, with a DAW and soft synthesizers. Now I'm also trying to learn to play the piano. Have so much fun.
The best values for the money are always found used, at thrift stores, Yard sales, etc... As long as you know what to look for AND watch out for.
That's true, but if it doesn't work properly, and you don't have electrical and mechanical skills, you are up a creek. I've been burned a few times.
@stanleycostello9610 Yes, it definitely helps if you're able and knowledgeable enough to fix minor problems with said equipment in order to get the most out of it... Luckily most of the vintage stuff is fairly easy and simple to work on if you know a few basic electronics repair techniques and methods. It's always a lot more fixable and useful than any of the modern day equipment if/when it breaks, because with modern day stuff you pretty much just have to throw it away and buy another one as modern day electronics are pretty much totally unservicable! :(
@JoeJ-8282 educate yourself and always have $200 bucks cash. I have a incredible home theater on a budget (used) consisting of Integra , and Klipsch Heritage speakers all from garage sales and trades.
@ericwichmann9536 Yep, agreed. I too, have been collecting vintage audio equipment since High School, and I'm now in my 50's, always doing what you said above, and I now have a stereo system, (more than one, and in multiple rooms actually), but I probably now have well over $1 million worth of equipment (IF I had to have bought ALL of it brand NEW and at retail prices), but yet, I've probably realistically only got about $10K or so invested in it all, due to always being thrifty, and fixing things myself if needed.
So yeah, if you're VERY adamant about it, AND always watch for awesome deals, then you can get used vintage audio/video equipment for about 1/100th of original retail prices, it just takes time, (quite a few years actually), so you have to be patient and upgrade gradually, as you find better and better stuff, in order to put together a truly amazing system... But it's totally doable if you know what you're doing and looking at wherever you go, and when and what to buy, and when/what NOT to.
I've been an audiophile for uptingk years and the biggest bummer I have about this is getting older, my ear performance continues to deteriorate. I measured my hearing response at age 58, after I accidently demo a subwoofer at excessive loudness which caused hearing damage. Now my frequency response is 45hz - 14Khz. Before the accident I could hear those sweet violins at 17Khz, no more. I am hoping future NANO technology will be able to repair the cilia structures in my cochlea and bring back those missing frequencies.
@@MJ-ge6jz If / when medical "nano technology" is available, where do you think repairing minor damage to high frequency hearing will be in the priory list of treatments to be developed?
At one point i found myself Googling "best audiophile albums" and i fell into that trap of listening for the second violinist's breath etc then I had a realisation that I'd stopped enjoying music. I was so focused on tweaking and trying to hear minute details, with 43 year old ears ruined by late '90s Rock bars.
I've settled on a reasonable system I've built over time and now i just listen to the bands i love... Not the recordings where you can hear the saxophonist's thoughts.
That’s a good reply I feel the same way
I agree with the second half of your statement, but would say it's okay to search for 'best audiophile album'. The nuance being why you search. I do these searches from time to time, and have found great (to me) new music, even in genres I don't usually listen to. The audiophile tag is a bit of a short cut since they're generally 'good' albums. For the same reason I listen to almost every new Pitchfork's 'best new album', no matter what genre. Just listen and appreciate, sometimes I love it and sometimes I respectfully disagree with the artist.
@rendyjansen Yeah I totally agree with you and I do still enjoy and respect decent production. I just fell into the trap of listening to music based on how it sounded, rather than how it made me feel. Some absolutely pristine recordings do nothing for me and yet some really rough demos make me emotional. I just think some audiophiles obsess over sound rather than music.
Rule one of audiophile perversity: Your favorite music will be the worst recorded.
@neilfox4626 it's almost universally true
I'm 62 and started my audio journey at 21-22 yrs of age so around 40yrs ago. I have bought expensive and cheaper gear and have learned to adapt by keeping everything simple and not over thinking. Expensive just leads to more expensive and not a better listening experience. I say whatever produces the sound you like vs any cost is what matters and a true audiophile in my opinion puts the enjoyment before the equipment. Just purchase within your means and enjoy your music first 🎶
I'm the same age and have a similar audio history. You nailed it, brother!👍
@@oiler62 Thanks and appreciate your reply, keep on grooving 🎵 😁 👍
The funny thing is that even so-called non-audiophile genres like metal have nuances that a non-listener might not necessarily pick up on. I have definitely found that not having speakers or headphones with decent enough definition such as thin phone or TV speakers kind of turns it to mush and it's harder to hear things like note definition and transient response. Metal is so much more than "angry music" for those of us who take the time to appreciate it. Love this series as always and I definitely hate the gatekeeping and arbitrary classifications the audiophile community can have.
This is a brilliantly-constructed vid. Love it.
Thanks to your efforts I have a set of Elac B5.2s and the Fosi V3/P3 stack to listen to my ever-growing CD collection on. There are songs that I have heard literally thousands of times, and I am hearing them again for the first time with this equipment. Is it the best? Probably not, but who frickin cares. It gets the job done in my small home office and to me and my ear it sounds great!
Thank you for all you do and for helping me get to a point to actually hear my music!
The cool thing about Chinese manufacturing is that the barrier to entry for quality hifi is lower than it's ever been. I started with headphones much earlier, so my first proper (not AV recceiver) stereo amp was an Onkyo A-9010 at $350. Today that entry level amp would probably have been a $150 Fosi Audio/any of the hot cheap amps now - better still a pair of monoblocks for $200+. The speakers were Pioneer SP-BS22-LR and I think they were $150 a pair. Today there are plenty more options to choose from at around the same price, and likely better too. There's a price point for everyone and no one should be begrudged their choice or their budgets.
But I disagree with the music part! My nostalgia powered music is the poorly recorded and mastered pop, rap and alternative of the late 80s and the 90s - plus the electronica of the 2000s. I don't quite enjoy listening to them as much anymore because I can't bear how terrible they sound. Thanks to the hobby, I have since learned to love new genres of music, jazz, all kinds of stuff that's well recorded, striking a good balance between critical listening and enjoyable tracks. Sure, I'll take those trips down memory lane from time to time but I'm an SQ forward audiophile and not afraid to admit it. You know, it's like the whisky hobby too - it's not about what other people say, it's about what you like. If you can only take your Laphroaig on the rocks, more power to you, as long as you enjoy it!😜
If you are really listening and you like what you hear, give it a try. That has been 50 years for me. Stereo wars back in the day was a lot of fun! Trade and upgrade. I have never been able to purchase out of the “A” listening room. That’s ok because the “B” room and used equipment has been an amazing experience! Little changes have really been fun to grow with. Your channel Randy has really opened up the listening flood gates for me. Keep up the great work!!
Remember when you first heard that album? You know the one, you were probably 15 or 17 and it changed EVERYTHING! It pulled your heart out through your guts and rubbed it in your face. Remember now? Yeah, that one…
Listening to some ‘audiophiles’ (a preposterous term) I believe they’re chasing unicorns trying to recreate that memory. Maybe they never experienced it in the first place. Let it go, the moment has passed. Whatever your budget, spend a quarter on hardware and the remainder on a stack of new music to enjoy.
Not for nothing, but if you are living paycheck to paycheck, perhaps buying superfluous audio gear at any price isn't the best idea.
@@kodacres7820 when I first got into good sound in high school, all of my gear was from thrift stores, from relatives, or from yard sales. I had to pay for my books, lab fees, and any extracurricular events, our money was TIGHT.
I also worked at least 10 hours a week from the age of 15 on.
@SPiT_FAH-Q provided you're not crying poor whilst enjoying your purchases, have fun. 👍
I’m really glad I came across this video, with the reach of your platform; this is something that really needs to be repeated from time to time. As a fellow fan of Good listening THANK YOU
To add to the "your music is garbage" reason is some will say the kind of music you listen to is wrong as well. It seems that if you don't listen to classical, jazz, or the live version of Hotel California, you're listening to the the wrong music.
@@paultomaszewski1964 There is an argument to be had about music you use to audition equipment.
That said, don't audition equipment by playing classical or jazz if you never listen to it, pick well mastered songs in the genre you do listen to.
This is because botique brands cannot handle hard music like punk or metal. That is why I would never buy those brands.
@@niklasschmidtMy Wiim Amp loves punk. Just saying...
I use the woman ultra myself
@@niklasschmidt WIIM ULTRA
Great video Randy! The points you make are why Wiim has sold a boat load of Wiim Minis for $89. A great value oriented streamer that's best in class for the price point.
You're making the classic "audiophile" mistake of judging a product's performance based on its price point.
The Wiim Mini streamer is bit perfect, e.g., if you use it as a pure streamer with its digital output into an external DAC, no other streamer can offer an audible upgrade with the same source material - within the limits of Toslink: And The Wiim Mini can even achieve 24/192kHz on the optical output.
Even if a streamer is $10k or $100k, it can only offer the exact same sound quality through its Toslink output - or worse, like a modified output that someone subjectively thinks is better, but objectively is less correct - or if you're comparing to something older with a lower bitrate.
A well reproduced low-fi recording is a wonderful thing. People who can't hear the story of the music in something that was recorded poorly, with the tools available to the artist at the time, are missing out. These are the same people that would want an unmuffled There's a Riot Going On, or for Lou Barlow to re-record his stuff in a professional studio. These people are idiots.
I will admit that I am sometimes disappointed that some of the music I love was poorly recorded and that I only realized this once I had gear that would make that apparent...for example a lot of Led Zeppelin, most Boston...however that does not take away my enjoyment of that music, it just means I turn it up so I don't notice (the other benefit of good gear).
HOORAY ! I agree with all of your points. I am a retired EE in my 70s. I remember, as a kid, saving up my money to buy my first component system. It started with a Soundesign model 4370 receiver / amp which came with speakers. It was 3 watts per channel. I also bought the cheapest Radio Shack automatic turntable. The base actually cost extra. Once I had that, I was in business. I soon replaced the 4 inch drivers in the speakers with 4 inch acoustical suspension speakers from Radio Shack which were written up in the electronics magazines at the time as being an excellent value with a wide frequency response. I also filled the speakers with fiberglass insulation, and they actually sounded noticeably be3tter, more bass and crisper highs. It was what I could afford, and it provided me with hours of pleasure. I still say that is the important thing, to get a system you can afford, and which can meet your needs, and makes you happy. To get that, one doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, there is a LOT of used equipment out there which, if one has some electronics skills, can be refurbished to work like the day it was made, and will serve one for years to come, at a fraction of what new equipment would cost. I just bought and refurbished the exact same model 4370 system I had as a kid. Did a similar upgrade to the speakers too. Does it compete with my main system, a Marantz SR-4000 tuner / amp and Sony speakers ? No, but it sounds OK, and sure beats no music at all. It reminds me of where I started, and of the pleasure such a simple system gave me all those years ago.
A lot of it is people trying to justify their own spending. If you’ve dropped significant money on gear, a part of you wants to draw that line that validates the expense.
Speaker position is very important.
I did the LOTS from your friend Ron and that made a big positive difference.
and listener position
All I need is a system with good clarity, detail, and transients, minimal sibilance, solid (but not boomy) bass, well defined midrange, high signal to noise ratio, good soundstage and focus, adequate power output, sounds good at low volume as well as loud. Other than that, I'm not real picky, and any old stuff will do.
+1
😄
I have been an "audiophile" if that means using many audio components over the last 40 years from cheap to expensive, to enjoy music over the years, and I completely agree with this opinion.
I love what you did here you big hunk of Cheapaudio man. Getting you into the music is more important than perfection. Done is better than perfect.
I build speakers, lately about One Pair every month, and I have found cheap clearance drivers on-line, hand built crossovers, non traditional enclosures and good test equipment, I have been able to listen to great sound for 100 dollars connected to an ADCOM GFA 535.
my rule of thumb if you can't hear a diffent don't buy it
There's always a difference it's a matter of what different sound one prefers. Then there's the price difference.
good rule
@@deputy3690 There isn't always an actual physical difference in the sound. We are wired to hear differences where none exist if we don't use proper controls in our auditions. There are audiophiles who believe that placing cut out circles of blue paper placed under vases and other items in a room will improve the sound. I don't think blue paper cut outs placed strategically in a room will make any real audible difference. I knew a guy who firmly believed that placing photos of his relatives and pets in the kitchen freezer made substantial improvements in his stereo. I am not making that up. I don't think that makes a difference. I don't think there is "always" a difference.
I've been suffering from the FOMO syndrome since my first taste of HiFi as a teenager in the late 70's. Going bankrupt a year ago changed my desire to keep up with the Jones'. Sure I'd love a complete Emotiva system, but income dictates the wide line between needs and wants. So, if someone looks down their nose and tries to tell me that I have to get better gear to be in their league I give 'em a solid "okay buddy - thanks - bye". I am totally blessed to have hand-me-downs, open box, on sale and my dumpster diving fixed up gear to use for music and movies. The other even bigger blessing I have is the few friends that are also into affordable HiFi; rather they live nearby or far away to the South and Mid-West. You know who you are and I pray to Heaven above that I can return the favors 10x over.
All the very best to everyone - enjoy the music!
Thank you so much for this video Randy. This is one of my favorite videos you’ve done.
I've been an audiophile for 40 years and I have learned more in the past couple of years than the previous 38! Audio has changed drastically from the original heyday of the 70's to today. I have a pair of $100 speakers bought a couple of years ago that challenge my high end speakers I bought in the late 70's for over $500 (in 70's dollars!). I used to chase accuracy, thinking that was the holy grail. I learned from Guttenberg and Resolve from The Headphone Show (just today!) that absolute accuracy is a myth. I can't wait to find out what I learn next! Great channel Randy.
I have been an audiophile, on and off, for over 60 years. When I started, stereo systems had TWO mono amps--there weren't stereo amps at the time. I have never had expensive stuff, but have always been very satisfied with what I had, and have. I am eighty now and still have three systems in my home and workshop with most equipment purchased in the 1980s and 90s, or brought back from Asia in the last 60s, courtesy of Uncle Sam. I still love it all!
The budget! Indeed, I think that's the most common blindspot for audiophiles: Simply forgetting that some people can't spend an endless amount on hi-fi.
Of course, too many of these people have placed tens of thousand of dollars worth of equipment in totally untreated rooms.
Thanks for taking these things up 👌🎶
God forbid that your Chinese components outperform a lot of the "audiophile" gear.
A lot of the best big name audiophile gear is made in China, especially in Taiwan. Why pay more than you need to, unless you like throwing money away.
Everything is chinese now don't be gullible, lol.
The three major rules of stereo equipment
• Like the way it looks
• Like the way it sounds
• try to get it for a good price
It doesn’t matter if it’s old, new, cheap, expensive, or what. If you’re happy, then it’s good.
I didnt have a clue about amps or speakers and now thanks to your channel I have some decent speakers and amps, not audiophile but much better than anything I had before. Thank You
The OLD audiophiles will tell you, "Steel needles sound best, but your records will last longer with cactus needles!"
Don’t forget audiophiles whose opinions begin and end with graphs, or even worse, argue that because a company doesn’t provide in-depth measurements of their products, they’re actively trying to fleece the customer.
Anytime malice is assumed, we’re moving in the wrong direction.
NOTE: I’m not saying that measurements aren’t good or helpful. Even folks like Andrew Jones will tell you that the measurements and the listening are both extremely important. I’m more talking about the kinds of audiophiles that look solely at a reviewer’s measurements and graphs, and having NEVER LISTENED TO THAT SPEAKER ONCE, post their own “objective” assessment of that speaker’s worth based on their interpretations of that reviewer’s measurements.
This is one of my favorite of your videos! THANK YOU!
Wait! What? I didn’t need to spend $4000 on speaker cable lifts? I could have just gotten the $1200 lifts instead? 😂🤣
I just hang the cables on the wall with cheap picture hooks. Not that it makes the slightest bit of difference...
The only thing cable lifters can do is make it a little easier to vacuum under the cables. They have no effect on sound.
I find lifting the cables can change the sound slightly, that being said 4k or 1k seems excessive when there is scrap wood available. People dump good stuff in the trash all the time.
Common sense will tell you that the room is about 20% of the final sound. The wiim ultra with its dsp is a very good way to deal with some of the negative room effects at a very cost effective price.
Common sense will tell you the earth is flat, the ground is solid and the sun, moon and stars travel around us. Science will tell us what is objectively true without human error. How would you even gauge the sound of your room? What would you compare it to? You can't quick switch room acoustics.
@@scottwheeler2679I mostly agree, but you can measure your room, and your speakers in your room, though.
@@audio_facts sure, but that's using science not "common sense." Other than the common sense notion to use science...
In response to the criticism that pop music was insubstantial teenage fluff, Pete Townshend once said good popular music moves your head, your heart or your feet and that the best popular music moves all three.
Rock on, cheapaudioman. You provide quality content. Some of your work has benefitted my system. Although my system isn't like yours, I like it. That makes me lucky. I have known several audiophiles with more than 200k invested in their room and system who are perpetually unhappy with what they own. The designer Jeff Rowland used to speak about audio playback in terms of parts per thousand and parts per million. I think that is sometimes a useful way of looking at the issue.
I became an audiophile in the mid '60s. The word "audiophile" means "hi-fi enthusiast". For some reason, people today think it means having really deep pockets and spending enormous amounts of money. I personally have spent around $6,000 on gear over the last 60 years. That included a new Pioneer SX-1980 and Klipsch Cornwall speakers.
Yes - You are absolutely correct about people’s disposal income. We must watch what we say to people and offer kind words to everyone up and down the income stream.
I remember an audiophile of 30+ years arguing with someone who worked in a high end components shop that their 20 y/o system was the best system available. The guy from the shop explained that he listens to multiple new setups a month and theres more than certainly been something better released in the last 20 years and that having a 'preference' for something is not the same as that thing being the best. The audiophile was having none of it, his arguement being that his setup cost him £40k, therefore it has to be the best. The biggest fans of something are usually the most obnoxious person to have a conversation with, its always them playing one-upmanship or trying to catch you out on the most trivial point.
Many of the speakers I've tried, mostly cheap ones, sound great at the right volume in the right places in the right rooms, but then can't seem to be made to sound good in another room in any position at any volume. So I think the room and speaker placement, along with listening volume can make a huge difference in how good or bad a speaker sounds. The only thing I find that's relatively consistent is that the lowest end of the speaker offerings are usually much more sensitive to volume than higher, typically more expensive speakers. The good news isn't that expensive speakers sound better at a variety of volume levels. The good news is that even really inexpensive or trash picked speakers often sound great if you play then at just the right level.
I agree, and this is true for the amp as well
I tend to like listening at lower levels, even while the family thinks it's too loud. I have tried different levels, measuring with a phone app (for what it's worth). Apparently I do listen at much lower levels than the TH-cam channels reviews refer to. Why is 80-90 DB so important?
@pascalmartin1891 I'm with you. I actually listen at levels low enough that regular people think it's nice and soft, but that's only some of the time.
I think the reason that such high listening levels are important to the industry is that those are the standard nominal levels for real orchestral instruments at like 1 meter away. It's really too loud for comfortable listening, and of course it really applies specifically to acoustic instruments designed in the era before electronic amplification. Trumpet, viola, timpany - those were made to fill a large hall where half of the people would be more than 12 meters away. The closest audience members in those settings are 3 meters away at least. But the db level at one meter is a reference that is used to create loudspeakers, even cheap ones. So it's interesting to know that often even very junky speakers played in their sweet spot volume range can sound remarkably good compared to the levels they more typically get played at.
This is why I come here, the honesty and sincerity. Couldnt be more on the money here. Some folks dont have the family member to hand them down all their kick ass gear they get bored with, or the wherewithal to spot the good used gems at yard sales. Some folks budgets allow them for an improperly rated amazon special desktop amp and some bookies from Sony. I was lucky enough going back when best buy still carried sony turntables, marantz receivers and JBL speakers, if you waited for the right time of year you could put together a semi-nice rig for not too much.
If music is recorded so badly it makes you angry, it is good music because anger is also an emotion 😂
Great video! What matters is the happiness of the listener. Per watching your videos I picked up the Wiim Amp and the Sony SSCS5s and I couldn’t be happier!
I love your take on room treatment. I have a good system but the listening space is also our living room and I can’t just make changes to the room for the purpose of dialing in the perfect arrangement of equipment.
Thank you for the great content. This really hit home. I remember when I was starting out and I can barely afford a Yamaha receiver that I wanted. It was just a two channel 80 W per channel. Someone told me that I should have gotten a different receiver because it had more power, I got what I could afford memories thanks again for the great Content🎉
Loved this video. Your examples were perfect examples of how we look atmost things. I have been an audio enthusiest for 33yrs. Since I was 15. There are many tiers in audio and everyone is great IMO. If you want to spend more money good on you but dont say something is bad because it's inexpensive or you think something else is more worth it. Audio is subjective everything is good to someone. And then there is diminishing returns. But that a whole other episode.
I've been a listener for decades and I like my home system but I've heard incredible systems at Hi End Audio Shows. But those systems are enormous (usually) and always very expensive. In the end, you must audition components and system with music material you are familiar with and in the room you use in your home. What sounds good in a demo room might not in your home.
To draw a parallel, I've found that there has been similar gatekeeping and toxicity in the whiskey world and I've noticed a number of parallels between whiskey enthusiasts and audiophiles. Over on the Whiskey Tribe TH-cam channel, they like to say "the best whiskey is the whiskey you like, the way you like to drink it." I think that sentiment should carry over to the audiophile world too. With DACs and not single malts, of course.
I’ve got cathedral ceilings in my living room, and a pair of JBL-L166 Horizons from 1977. I had my carpenter friend build me a set of special stands for them, which cut out the echo completely. You don’t always need to change the room. I’ve hung studio monitors from the ceiling before. Being creative is the fun part of the hobby.
I've been an audiophile for 50 years. I am constantly surprised by what kit still comes on the scene.
Just buy something you like the sound of and can afford - but keep buying music (or stream something new, whatever your source preference). If you want a good place to start with your gear, do this:
1. Find a small music venue that presents music you like.
2. Go on an open mic night. Many of the artists are happy to talk to you.
3. Ask an artist you like what they listen to at home. Most are on a budget and spend their money *really* well.
I have been listening to music and loving it for 50+ years. I have used everything from a tube bakerite radio to my Focal Headphones with a top-of-the-line dac/amp. I am blessed to have worked hard and saved as much as I could while supporting a family. My position is this. Enjoy the music with what you have. If someone asks for advice, provide such. If not let's keep our mouth shut. I have a stereo system but a lot of the time, I enjoy headphones. One can enjoy the music one likes and not hear the family wanting you to turn it down, change tracks or other interruptions.
I had a Dynaco Stereo 70, AR-3 speakers, Thorens TD124 with Shure's top cartridge. I went into a High end store to see what they had and was told everything I had was Junk ! The arrogance is a feature of HIGH END >
You went to the wrong dealer.
Because they wanted to sell you something, anything. The only thing that matters is that you like it.
What you have is basic stuff to be fair not junk , not high end
@@misterzero8667Tut tut tut!
That Sprite looks great on oyster. Came for the audiophile monologue, stayed for the quality content and timepiece
It strange to hear that you have to pay for medical care.
A friend was hit by a car. The impact was so severe that it broke many bones in his body including crushing his sinuses. The police shut the road to investigate his death. His was airlifted to a hospital that could cope with his injures. He spent a month in intensive care while receiving many operations. He spent a year in a neurological ward and a further 6 months in a rehabilitation centre. The cost was £0.00
I wish that more people who take a keen interest in audio also took at least a passing interest in the basics of audio electronics design. I've been designing and building my own preamps and power amplifiers for over 40 years, and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's perfectly possible to build your own power amplifier for peanuts that will sound identical to one costing tens of thousands of dollars. That said, I don't care if a rich person gets ripped off due to their own stupidity.
40 years of vinyl listening and I just learned yesterday what goes into calibrating a turntable. 40 years of "pick up needle" and "put down needle". this weekend I calibrate and see if I even can tell the difference.
Pretentiousness, Eliteism, and plain speaking, Snobbery abounds in this hobby. There are a few humble influencers out there, but few and far between. Thank you for always providing me with solid perspectives and advice. I don't always agree, but when I have followed your advice, I have usually been very happy and satisfied. Take care, and all the very best, Sir.
@@Simon_Hawkshaw you’re the best, Simon! Hope you’re doing well
@cheapaudioman I am doing well. Thank you so much for asking. Take care.
I really appreciated this video because forums and videos are FULL of “advice” that’s a real turn-off to newbies.
Also, I LOVE my Fosi/SMSL/Topping etc equipment. I get to play with it and find out what I enjoy.
In the late 70's I worked at a high end audio store( Linn sondek, Acoustic Research etc etc) and after i got fed up with customers competing with them selves and others with how much they thought their systems sounded and how much it cost; instead of listening to the music itself. When I left i bought the best turntable i could afford( Systemdek) along with a boombox with a phono input. All I wanted was to listen and not destroy my vinyl
I've been into music and audio since the 70s when I got my first Kiss record and played it on my mickey mouse phonograph lol. Even had a job in the 80s as an equipment setup and sound guy for local venues. However I've never had the budget to get the higher end stuff and have learned over the years how to make the "cheap" stuff work for me. I've recently decided to start upgrading my home system and have no idea what's good or not out there and it's super frustrating looking around all these forums and reviewers because anytime the question is asked about products in my price range are asked about there is never an answer other than its junk and get this or that which is so far above my budget. Right now my system would give anyone that identifies as an audiophile a coronary lol. It's Frankenstein together but it sounds good. I have enjoyed your videos because you do many things within my budget and not full of yourself. So carry on and keep doing what you're doing.
Most people don't have the luxury of building a dedicated room for HiFi listening. Plus they are extremely limited in speaker positioning (most have them less than 12" from the wall) . Room treatment is an option that most aren't willing or able to invest in. But... room correction is here to save the day with all of this. I find it bizarre and funny that most "audiophiles" don't take the time to measure and correct the bass modes in their room as it's cheap, pretty easy and makes huge differences that spending thousands on new equipment can't achieve.
I have a PC desktop setup in the corner of the room against a wall. I use a DSPeaker room correction unit and it sounds great. Press the "bypass" key and its shocking how bad it sounds uncorrected.
No doubt if you can't fix a room with physical acoustic treatment room correction DSP is better than nothing. I use both extensively.
@@scottwheeler2679 While I'm in no position to test the difference between acoustic treatment and room correction common sense tells me that room correction must be better for certain issues. I get that you want to reduce echo and reverb by treating your room but that is mainly done via furnishings. Bass modes need specific treatments that, depending on the frequency of the mode, the room layout, and the speaker position, require different types and amounts of treatment. So there seems to be growing evidence that correcting those modes (specific to your main listening position) is not only cheaper but far easier and, crucially, more effective.
@@c0mbat15 Beware of personal common sense. It will betray you. And beware of overly broad brush strokes when you reference "acoustic treatment" and "room correction." Both come in a multitude of flavors and different degrees of effectiveness. Objective tests have clearly demonstrated that mere room furnishings barely touch the substantial acoustic issues any basic room inherently carries within it. When you start 6 large flat reflective surfaces (four walls a ceiling and floor) common room furnishings will barely affect it. Room modes don't necessarily need tuned traps to address them. That is a common presumption based on the common practical situation that in most cases the size of a broad band bass absorber would be impractical to use in a given room where as a membrane velocity trap is more space effective and far more practical. But the reality is if one can use a large enough absorber broad band absorption will work all the way down to 20 hz. ( I know this because that's what I did) And there are huge differences in room correction DSPs. Not to mention there is no reason to treat it as an either/or proposition. Neither works better individually than both in tandem. DSPs are easier and cheaper. But most of them have one substantial problem, they don't improve decay rates. They can only somewhat flatten out the transient response. The RT is still purely a function of the room's physical dissipation of the bass energy. The only DSP that can improve decay times are ones that involve wave cancellation schemes. And those rely heavily on the room treatments doing a major share of the work allowing the DSPs to be better targeted.
The best advice for young people getting into HiFi is your first point: get yourself an inexpensive stereo amp, some speakers, and a streamer or turntable. None of it has to be fancy. Set it up and listen to music that’s not on AirPods. My daughter did that - used Technics turntable, Denon receiver from Goodwill, Polk bookshelfs from eBay. Maybe $300 total. She friggin’ loves it. She thinks it sounds awesome. Why would any supposed “audiophile” want to tell her it’s crappy? I mean, it is crappy. But I tell her I think it sounds fantastic. If she ever asks me how to make this or that part better, I’ll tell her. If she doesn’t, I’ll listen to music on her system with her any day. That’s what being an audiophile is. That other stuff is just being a tool.
I've had only a few audio devices for 40 years, but I know for sure that old cheap ones from the eastern Soviet bloc don't play as well as new and more expensive ones with new technological developments... usually cables from the store limit the pleasure of listening, and by replacing 3 sets of professional audio cables, I improved my experience of listening to music 3 times. without millions, but 3000$ for all the equipment I had to spend to be happy with what I hear.. really happy. These records play completely differently on good equipment. Amazing!
I think most audiophiles listen to music they don't like just because it makes their HiFi system sound good. Most of them are old codgers that have an attenuated frequency response and don't know what they're really hearing anyway.
I moved with my wife 3 times. I said, you can do at home what you want, if I can place my gear to sound best. We agreed.
Then came the day: why are the speakers so far (70cm to the wall) in the living room, she asked. I put them 20cm more back. She listend and asked irritated what else I have changed. Nothing.
She: put them back where they need to be…😂🎉
The memes get me every time😂 GJ jay
You’re so right! It took me more than 20 years to finally get to what is to me a kick butt, beautiful sounding system.
Except for the Emotiva MR1,11.2 receiver, everything else was bought used one by one: Four Polk Audio Lsi 15, one Lsi C, and one Golden ear SuperSub X.