MQA is Vaporware

[The Computer Audiophile]

38 minutes ago, labjr said:

Meanwhile, Chinese companies are churning out $100 DACs that measure better than virtually everything ever reviewed by the major publications. But apparently there's no interest in revewing them to see if they sound better. Or maybe they have listened and can't reveal the truth?

 

 

That's a very narrow view of this one. If people purchase components solely because they measure well, then I can see a rush to tell people about good measuring components. However, purchasing decisions are made for numerous other reasons. 

[Samuel T Cogley]

"measurements mean nothing" is a familiar mantra.

 

Vinyl playback objectively adds distortion, but it is beloved by many.  To some, being an audiophile means feeling good, not seeking the most accurate playback chain.

[The Computer Audiophile]

14 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said:

To some, being an audiophile means feeling good, not seeking the most accurate playback chain.

Yes, and who are we to tell them otherwise?

 

If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad. - Sheryl Crow

[Samuel T Cogley]

Just now, The Computer Audiophile said:

Yes, and who are we to tell them otherwise?

 

If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad. - Sheryl Crow

 

Happy people spend more money, right?

[The Computer Audiophile]

19 hours ago, Samuel T Cogley said:

 

Happy people spend more money, right?

Not necessarily. 

 

This guy is pretty happy and doesn't spend much. 

 

 

 

Edit: I've also not met an audiophile who is happy with his system, that keeps spending money. Happy and content audiophiles don't fix what isn't broken.

[Confused]

11 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said:

 

Happy people spend more money, right?

From what I have read, BS has spent an absolute fortune. Does he ever look happy?

 

[kumakuma]

4 minutes ago, Confused said:

From what I have read, BS has spent an absolute fortune. Does he ever look happy?

 

 

The fact that the fortune he spent belonged to his wife may explain his appearance...

[Iving]

18 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said:

Happy people spend more money, right?

 

It's sure true that people will spend money on what they *think* will make them happy.

 

edit: Often folks are right!

[kumakuma]

16 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Happy and content audiophiles

 

Oxymoron?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, kumakuma said:

 

Oxymoron?

Ha! Maybe you don't know the same ones I do :~)

[Allan F]

10 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I've also not met an audiophile who is happy with his system, that keeps spending money. Happy and content audiophiles don't fix what isn't broken.

 

A strange comment and, it would appear, an inconsistent one. One does not have to be "unhappy" with one's system in order to look for possible ways to improve it and become even happier with it. That is far different from "fixing what isn't broken". When you created your new music room, installed your new speakers, etc., your posts suggested that you were more than happy. Yet, you subsequently went and built your new super music server. Surely, that was not born because you were not happy with your system.

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, Allan F said:

 

A strange comment and, it would appear, an inconsistent one. One does not have to be "unhappy" with one's system in order to look for possible ways to improve it and become even happier with it. That is far different from "fixing what isn't broken". When you created your new music room, installed your new speakers, etc., your posts suggested that you were more than happy. Yet, you subsequently went and built your new super music server. Surely, that was not born because you were not happy with your system.

 

It depends on what the meaning of is is. Seems you're looking for an argument. 

[kumakuma]

1 minute ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

It depends on what the meaning of is is. Seems you're looking for an argument. 

 

 

[Allan F]

1 minute ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

It depends on what the meaning of is is. Seems you're looking for an argument. 

 

Only if you believe that anyone who has a different point of view and disagrees with you is looking for an argument.

[Iving]

Isn't there an adage something like - happiness is being satisfied with what you've got not what you haven't got.

 

If you can tick that box, can afford more, and know that you're fortunate to be in that position ...

 

First world happiness - here we are talking about happiness on the MQA thread  ... chuckle

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, Allan F said:

 

Only if you believe that anyone who has a different point of view and disagrees with you is looking for an argument.

No, you twisted my words and found things in between the words that I never even thought of saying. Strange logic. I'm not interested in arguing it. 

[kumakuma]

5 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Ha! Maybe you don't know the same ones I do :~)

 

I'm actually pretty happy with my equipment and only peruse trade rags like Stereophile and TAS to find new music to listen to.

 

@John_Atkinson @Jim Austin @ARQuint

 

I would be very happy if you could move the music reviews to the front of your publications.

 

I read your publications on my iPad and my right index finger gets tired swiping through all of the equipment articles and ads that come before the good stuff.

[Allan F]

14 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

No, you twisted my words and found things in between the words that I never even thought of saying. Strange logic. I'm not interested in arguing it. 

I am neither interested in an argument nor a mindreader. I didn't twist your words. Rather, I interpreted them in a manner that is as logical as your apparently intended meaning. Let's leave it at that.

[labjr]

1 hour ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

That's a very narrow view of this one. If people purchase components solely because they measure well, then I can see a rush to tell people about good measuring components. However, purchasing decisions are made for numerous other reasons. 

 

Beyond measurement and sound I see little reason for a DAC to cost more than a couple hundred at this point. I'm sure the same companies could tailor the harmonic distortion (a la Bob Carver) to anyone's liking. The rest is marketing.

[Samuel T Cogley]

36 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Not necessarily. 

 

This guys is pretty happy and doesn't spend much. 

 

 

 

Edit: I've also not met an audiophile who is happy with his system, that keeps spending money. Happy and content audiophiles don't fix what isn't broken.

 

Touche

 

But I probably should have said "happy consumers"

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, labjr said:

 

Beyond measurement and sound I see little reason for a DAC to cost more than a couple hundred at this point. I'm sure the same companies could tailor the harmonic distortion (a la Bob Carver) to anyone's liking. The rest is marketing.

Just like the auto market. There are/were Yugos and Bentleys. Both get us to the grocery store. At least we have options. That's a great thing. 

[Samuel T Cogley]

With respect to the OP, we've gone WAAAAAAY off the rails.

[Samuel T Cogley]

Just now, The Computer Audiophile said:

Just like the auto market. There are/were Yugos and Bentleys. Both get us to the grocery store. At least we have options. That's a great thing. 

 

...says the person with 10 or more DACs...

[lucretius]

2 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Just like the auto market. There are/were Yugos and Bentleys. Both get us to the grocery store. At least we have options. That's a great thing. 

 

There was a good chance that your Yugo would fail before getting to the grocery store.  🙂 

 

How do you double the value of a Yugo? Fill the gas tank.

 

What do you call a Yugo that breaks down after 100 miles? An overachiever.

[Rt66indierock]

3 hours ago, Samuel T Cogley said:

With respect to the OP, we've gone WAAAAAAY off the rails.

This seems to happen when I go on vacation. Palm Springs is beautiful and we’re looking forward to some live local music this weekend. 
 

John Atkinson made some interesting comments that deserve comment when I return.

 

And Chris played one of my cards better than I could. I had no on the record comments that the costs of licensing varied so much. I was just told of dissatisfaction about licensing terms and little more because of NDAs.