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The end of digital audio.?


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Boys and their toys. LOL

"The gullibility of audiophiles is what astonishes me the most, even after all these years. How is it possible, how did it ever happen, that they trust fairy-tale purveyors and mystic gurus more than reliable sources of scientific information?"

Peter Aczel - The Audio Critic

nomqa.webp.aa713f2bb9e304522011cdb2d2ca907d.webp  R.I.P. MQA 2014-2023: Hyped product thanks to uneducated, uncritical advocates & captured press.

 

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Well, 100M Spotify subscribers, more than 10M for Apple Music. This is not counting the regular ITunes Store customer or CD buyer.

 

Ok we're comparing global figures to US turntable sales here.

 

but while the spike may look big, we're talking ~1.8M units for 320M US citizens, i.e. 0.5% of the US population bought a turntable this year.

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The end of digital audio.? :)

Or not yet.?

 

Some Groovy Data | Stereophile.com

 

I knew that turntubles sales have been skyrocketing recently but I'm very supprised by the height of 2015/2016 sales spike. Will computer audio be passé in 2017..? ;)

OK, so the data says 1.6 million turntables sold for a total market of $120 million, thats $75 per turntable.

 

Something is not right here.

 

Perhaps they are indeed Crosley units.

Pareto Audio aka nuckleheadaudio

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OK, so the data says 1.6 million turntables sold for a total market of $120 million, thats $75 per turntable.

 

Something is not right here.

 

Perhaps they are indeed Crosley units.

 

Volume discount!

One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller

The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein

Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature.

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OK, so the data says 1.6 million turntables sold for a total market of $120 million, thats $75 per turntable.

 

Something is not right here.

 

Perhaps they are indeed Crosley units.

 

Yeah and a lot of crummy turntables that output mp3?

 

Just b/c someone buys something called a "turntable" doesn't mean it is any good or that they have any idea of good sound.

 

Here's the blurb from Crosley for the $78 turntable:

 

Love the rich, warm sound of vinyl, but wish it was a more moveable music format? Put down the iPod and mobilize your music with the Crosley Cruiser three-speed portable turntable. Constructed of wood and bound in a leatherette material, the briefcase-styled record player is lightweight and easily transported from place to place. It features built-in stereo speakers so you can listen to your music without having to connect it to a speaker system. Cruise over to a friend's house and experience vinyl's superior sound together.

 

I guess I need to sell my system (see sig) so I can get the "rich, warm sound of vinyl"...and its "superior sound".

 

I had an item like that 'table from Panasonic when I was a kid. Was bigger and had "stereo" speakers built in (it was about a meter wide); it included a receiver so I could tune in FM.

 

I knew it was shit even then.

 

Went to the most basic hi fi separates I could the second I could afford it (little Kenwood integrated, Pioneer manual turntable, and small plastic-shelled Advent speakers). That little system actually sounded "rich and warm". With the Shure cartridge I think it cost a total of $450 in mid-70's dollars. So about $2200 in today's dollars.

 

I could get a hell of a lot better system for that money today. In fact I could get something better sounding (digital) for the same nominal $450.

Main listening (small home office):

Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments.

Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three .

Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup.
Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. 

All absolute statements about audio are false :)

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I wonder when we'll see the revival of the Edison Cylinder.

 

It would perhaps be more exciting to see the revival of Edison.

One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller

The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein

Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature.

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I wonder when we'll see the revival of the Edison Cylinder.

Have to revive shellac 78s first.

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Computer Audiophile mobile app

And always keep in mind: Cognitive biases, like seeing optical illusions are a sign of a normally functioning brain. We all have them, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, but it is something that affects our objective evaluation of reality. 

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I had one of them in my 1956 Chevy back around 1964. Didn't do too well with all the pot holes on the streets of Chicago. LOL

 

Ain't nothin' new 'bout that one.....

 

5r6udrtre.jpg

"The gullibility of audiophiles is what astonishes me the most, even after all these years. How is it possible, how did it ever happen, that they trust fairy-tale purveyors and mystic gurus more than reliable sources of scientific information?"

Peter Aczel - The Audio Critic

nomqa.webp.aa713f2bb9e304522011cdb2d2ca907d.webp  R.I.P. MQA 2014-2023: Hyped product thanks to uneducated, uncritical advocates & captured press.

 

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All in all the big vinyl resurgence is just a passing fad with the hipsters that have them around as a KOOL conversation piece and toy. Do you watch TV, ever notice how many TT's show up in the background of peoples homes and offices on the latest shows?

 

This is not to denigrate the true highend enthusiast that loves the sound, tweakery, and fun of playing vinyl, good for them, in the end it's whatever floats your boat. But their true numbers are still quite small.

"The gullibility of audiophiles is what astonishes me the most, even after all these years. How is it possible, how did it ever happen, that they trust fairy-tale purveyors and mystic gurus more than reliable sources of scientific information?"

Peter Aczel - The Audio Critic

nomqa.webp.aa713f2bb9e304522011cdb2d2ca907d.webp  R.I.P. MQA 2014-2023: Hyped product thanks to uneducated, uncritical advocates & captured press.

 

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The end of digital audio.? :)

Or not yet.?

 

Computer Audio may be dead or dying but Digital Audio is just getting started. I would love to see what gizmo's will be available in 2116 (assuming civilization is not overcome by disaster, man made or otherwise)

In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the issues at stake ~ Sayre's Law

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Computer Audio may be dead or dying but Digital Audio is just getting started. I would love to see what gizmo's will be available in 2116 (assuming civilization is not overcome by disaster, man made or otherwise)

 

Probably have those DNA encoded memory sticks. No need for streaming, each one will simply hold all known music in memory.

 

No need for what we now call speakers or ear buds. Devices will send direct input to the brain's auditory system. Music will sound real because it is real. Even if manipulated in a way that can never have been real.

And always keep in mind: Cognitive biases, like seeing optical illusions are a sign of a normally functioning brain. We all have them, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, but it is something that affects our objective evaluation of reality. 

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410c7jnl-AL._SY300_.jpg?

 

Ain't nothin' new 'bout that one.....

 

5r6udrtre.jpg

 

What we need now is a jukebox with a built-in DAC and a remote control app. That'll put vinyl back on the charts.....

 

In the late 90s I used a tube amp (wonderful 6C33 tubes from the 80s, the ones from the 90s didn't have this sound). It's maker (a guy of Ukrainian origin) declared quite seriously that they can make a single car tube amp for me (in fact I was tempted to say yes, I just wasn't sure for how long will the valves last in my stiff suspension car).

 

Well imagine.. car gramophone connected to the tube amp and a set of high efficiency horn speakers, sub in the trunk included.

 

As for the future of (digital) audio I agree with esldude - neuro impulses directly to the brain, sent from micro DAC and AMP IMPLANTS. Sounds cool.?

 

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Love these threads. As reliable as London buses. If you miss one on CA, another one will be along soon. Although I predict that there may be differing expectations as to final destination..

 

Proud to say I've just contributed to the 2016 sales figure (albeit in the UK). According to an industry insider of my acquaintance, the growth in the HiFi TT market is polarised into entry level or real high end. Mid-range is dead apparently.

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An important addition to the question of future audio - you will only have to think about what you want to hear and it will be streamed to your implants and directly to your brain. The problems may arise only in case of hacking your personal network.. For instance by North Korean propaganda specialists..

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OK, so the data says 1.6 million turntables sold for a total market of $120 million, thats $75 per turntable.

 

Something is not right here.

 

Perhaps they are indeed Crosley units.

 

Yep, now available at Whole Foods and other fine natural grocers in their VINYL RECORDS section:

 

Whole-Foods-Vinyl.jpg

 

So... Much... Awesome...

 

7f16146287897c3be80220f8e219369e.jpg

 

Can you smell it? Indeed.

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