Popular Post STC Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 When you become an audiophile you :- 1) A member of an elite group that almost 99 percent of the people have no idea about the nitty gritty of this hobby. 2) You will have either expensive or unique equipment in the name of perfect sound reproduction. This will differentiate you from the rest of the people with ordinary consumer hifi system. 3) By virtue of owning expensive equipment or some vintage ones, you elevate your status as someone with finer taste. [ It is very rare ( I have not seen one over here) for those who can afford the latest best high end equipment to hang on to their vintage equipment in the name of good sound. Either, they do not want to spend more money or they do not have the money except for some situation of sentimental value. ] 4) Eventually you will be looked up for advise by others new comers this hobby. Look deeper into these personalities and you will see similarities with leaders of other sects. 5) Like most, having an audiophile setup will invite more visitors. This gives some sense of importance to them. Pretty much like showing off much of the stuff a rich man would. 6) The most satisfying aspect of this hobby is having regular visitors who are dying to hear their system. This works fine as long it remains within the group. Things audiophiles dislike. A) Anyone who disagree with (2). B) Outsiders, like engineers, casting doubts about certain aspect of their hobby which undermines their authority. C) Loss of importance for their "expert" knowledge. Dutch, Paul R, Teresa and 2 others 1 2 2 ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
PeterSt Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 57 minutes ago, STC said: It is very rare ( I have not seen one over here) for those who can afford the latest best high end equipment to hang on to their vintage equipment in the name of good sound. If I eliminate some misty words from this sentence, I come up with this: It is very rare to hang on to their vintage equipment in the name of good sound. But is that what you wanted to say ? I mean, it seems to conflict with the next sentence: 1 hour ago, STC said: Either, they do not want to spend more money or they do not have the money ... Anyway, it seems that I do not recognize much of it, or I misunderstand most. An audiophile always has the best sound of everyone (this is because it relates to the spent money and you always being satisfied), and a random visitor thinks it sounds worse because he too has the best system, and if he might think it sounds better then he rejects that because he doesn't want to know and again thus thinks the auditioned sounds worse. Unless he wants to buy it, of course. Take that for a vague sentence ! haha I don't recognize the status thing. But then I am from a country where people tend to have modest systems, do not have a dozen servants for whatever job (including setting up the audio system) but may spend money on cars and brag about that. So ... if I indeed sense correctly, you are from a country where this is all quite opposite, hence the post (and subject ?). You would have a hard time making this clear to the random "western" guy and only those from the west who experienced the homes of audiophiles in "the east" (not sure how to describe it otherwise), know how giant these differences are. We won't be different persons as such but all around us is organized - and works completely different. Including what "status" as such is. Peter Paul R 1 Lush^3-e Lush^2 Blaxius^2.5 Ethernet^3 HDMI^2 XLR^2 XXHighEnd (developer) Phasure NOS1 24/768 Async USB DAC (manufacturer) Phasure Mach III Audio PC with Linear PSU (manufacturer) Orelino & Orelo MKII Speakers (designer/supplier) Link to comment
sandyk Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 18 minutes ago, PeterSt said: Anyway, it seems that I do not recognize much of it, or I misunderstand most. Google translator let you down again ? Only kidding. Peter, although one part wasn't exactly well written,(possibly due to English not being his native language?) I had no problems understanding what he was trying to say. He has also probably seen far more vintage equipment than most of us have too, hence his observations. Regards Alex STC 1 How a Digital Audio file sounds, or a Digital Video file looks, is governed to a large extent by the Power Supply area. All that Identical Checksums gives is the possibility of REGENERATING the file to close to that of the original file. PROFILE UPDATED 13-11-2020 Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 5 minutes ago, PeterSt said: If I eliminate some misty words from this sentence, I come up with this: It is very rare to hang on to their vintage equipment in the name of good sound. But is that what you wanted to say ? I mean, it seems to conflict with the next sentence: It's a conundrum that many audiophiles face. There are some who always prioritize good sound and there are others who just buy them for the sake of being part of the elite club. Those who love good sound will often be satisfied with their system's performance until they system kaput or there is a genuinely better product. A true audiophile who is continuously striving for better sound would always buy the best and the latest. Occasionally, they do keep hanging to a vintage equipment but it usually part of their bigger system. As you can see from my Inside the High End thread, you find all kind of people with different background. 5 minutes ago, PeterSt said: … I don't recognize the status thing. But then I am from a country where people tend to have modest systems, do not have a dozen servants for whatever job (including setting up the audio system) but may spend money on cars and brag about that. So ... if I indeed sense correctly, you are from a country where this is all quite opposite, hence the post (and subject ?). You would have a hard time making this clear to the random "western" guy and only those from the west who experienced the homes of audiophiles in "the east" (not sure how to describe it otherwise), know how giant these differences are. We won't be different persons as such but all around us is organized - and works completely different. Including what "status" as such is. Peter Over here, most are recent rags to riches. There are others who always had good equipment even before the country's independence and they do not even bothered about comparing their system. You don't see them in audiophile forums and they buy the best and enjoy them. ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 26 minutes ago, sandyk said: Google translator let you down again ? Only kidding. Peter, although one part wasn't exactly well written,(possibly due to English not being his native language?) I had no problems understanding what he was trying to say. He has also probably seen far more vintage equipment than most of us have too, hence his observations. Regards Alex No. It is not. next time, I should try Google translator. ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
Popular Post Nikhil Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 Interesting topic but I see some problems with the negative connotations (my perception). Every pursuit is going to have enthusiasts on various ends of the spectrum. But that doesn't mean that there are significant numbers that are firmly in the middle. Why does cost have to determine anything? It's common knowledge that good sound can be had for not a lot of money. I think confusing "high end" gear with being an audiophile is a mistake. To me point 2 sufficiently describes the audiophile with an emphasis on "unique equipment". Regards. Teresa, Paul R, Melvin and 4 others 5 2 Custom Win10 Server | Mutec MC-3+ USB | Lampizator Amber | Job INT | ATC SCM20PSL + JL Audio E-Sub e110 Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, Nikhil said: Why does cost have to determine anything? It's common knowledge that good sound can be had for not a lot of money. They are probably thousands of them who are capable of producing much better sound than what audiophile could. They don't hang out here nor call themselves audiophiles. crenca 1 ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
Ralf11 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 some people may like vintage gear for sentimental reasons or for ergonomics, visual esthetics mav52 1 Link to comment
Popular Post AudioDoctor Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 Close one, another one pops up its ugly head... May The Forum Gods Have Mercy On Your Souls... 4est, The Computer Audiophile, crenca and 1 other 2 1 1 No electron left behind. Link to comment
MetalNuts Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I think the problem with audiophile is one who wants recognition/appreciation of his system produces the best SQ and for that they will argue which or what is better or the best. Everyone is born different and their opinions and preference on SQ differs. There is no reason and justification at all to criticize the SQ of the system of other audiophile. After all the enjoyment is all his/hers on his/her own system unless you are compelled to listen to his/her system, if so it may be a torture that you can complain of.😂😂 Teresa 1 MetalNuts Link to comment
sandyk Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Nikhil said: It's common knowledge that good sound can be had for not a lot of money. Yes, but in many cases , even better sound can be had for a lot more money Quote MetalNuts said : After all the enjoyment is all his/hers on his/her own system unless you are compelled to listen to his/her system, if so it may be a torture that you can complain of.😂😂 Recently I heard a Vinyl rip of a track that John Dyson had uploaded previously. Undoubtedly the guy who uploaded it was proud of it, but to my ears it was torture, and John's versions sounded WAY better, even the version before correction. MetalNuts 1 How a Digital Audio file sounds, or a Digital Video file looks, is governed to a large extent by the Power Supply area. All that Identical Checksums gives is the possibility of REGENERATING the file to close to that of the original file. PROFILE UPDATED 13-11-2020 Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Ralf11 said: some people may like vintage gear for sentimental reasons or for ergonomics, visual esthetics Even when it sounds inferior? But audiophile means a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction. What's at play here. SQ ? ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 1 hour ago, MetalNuts said: I think the problem with audiophile is one who wants recognition/appreciation of his system produces the best SQ and for that they will argue which or what is better or the best. Everyone is born different and their opinions and preference on SQ differs. There is no reason and justification at all to criticize the SQ of the system of other audiophile. After all the enjoyment is all his/hers on his/her own system unless you are compelled to listen to his/her system, if so it may be a torture that you can complain of.😂😂 I don't think anyone would criticize another's sound. Maybe in private but they will not tell that straight to their face. This is not a problem until they start to impose their view on others. One well know so called audio guru uses FM Acoustics to drive the speakers not more than 70dB or there about which I hardly call it as a realistic sound reproduction. But there are many who believes that is one of the best system. Would this be criticism? or fair comment? ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
Popular Post gmgraves Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 4 hours ago, STC said: When you become an audiophile you :- 1) A member of an elite group that almost 99 percent of the people have no idea about the nitty gritty of this hobby. 2) You will have either expensive or unique equipment in the name of perfect sound reproduction. This will differentiate you from the rest of the people with ordinary consumer hifi system. 3) By virtue of owning expensive equipment or some vintage ones, you elevate your status as someone with finer taste. [ It is very rare ( I have not seen one over here) for those who can afford the latest best high end equipment to hang on to their vintage equipment in the name of good sound. Either, they do not want to spend more money or they do not have the money except for some situation of sentimental value. ] 4) Eventually you will be looked up for advise by others new comers this hobby. Look deeper into these personalities and you will see similarities with leaders of other sects. 5) Like most, having an audiophile setup will invite more visitors. This gives some sense of importance to them. Pretty much like showing off much of the stuff a rich man would. 6) The most satisfying aspect of this hobby is having regular visitors who are dying to hear their system. This works fine as long it remains within the group. Things audiophiles dislike. A) Anyone who disagree with (2). B) Outsiders, like engineers, casting doubts about certain aspect of their hobby which undermines their authority. C) Loss of importance for their "expert" knowledge. What makes you think that engineers can’t be audiophiles? I have a master’s degree in electronics engineering yet I’ve been an audiophile since I was 10 years old! Teresa and Ajax 1 1 George Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 9 minutes ago, gmgraves said: What makes you think that engineers can’t be audiophiles? I have a master’s degree in electronics engineering yet I’ve been an audiophile since I was 10 years old! You are a true audiophile. A true audiophile is the one who strive " "it puts professional studio sound within the reach of the audiophile (sic)" . Others are more interested in hearing not so easily noticeable sound. Will tell you what the minute difference the drum makes with a certain cable. Something which even he can't prove to himself. Perhaps the urban dictionary describes it better. "Someone who usually looks at young audio equipment. And rapes it through various input and often output sockets." ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
Dutch Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I for sure don’t recognize most of what’s written in the starting post. I’m also an engineer myself. Generalizing in this extremely negative way is a recipe for disaster. Perhaps some of it is true for some but surely not all. Perhaps it tells us more about the TS, perhaps he’s projecting, perhaps he likes to troll, perhaps he ... Let’s not make it harder than it is, from Wikpedia: An audiophile is a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction.[1] An audiophile seeks to reproduce the sound of a live musical performance, typically in a room with good acoustics. It is widely agreed that reaching this goal is very difficult and that even the best-regarded recording and playback systems rarely, if ever, achieve it.[2][3] Audiophile values may be applied at all stages of music reproduction: the initial audio recording, the production process, and the playback, which is usually in a home setting. In general, the values of an audiophile are seen to be antithetical to the growing popularity of more convenient but lower quality music, especially lossy digital file types like MP3, lower definition streaming services, and inexpensive headphones.[4] The term high-end audio refers to playback equipment used by audiophiles, which may be bought at specialist shops and websites. Teresa 1 System details Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 45 minutes ago, Dutch said: I for sure don’t recognize most of what’s written in the starting post. I’m also an engineer myself. Generalizing in this extremely negative way is a recipe for disaster. Perhaps some of it is true for some but surely not all. Perhaps it tells us more about the TS, perhaps he’s projecting, perhaps he likes to troll, perhaps he ... Let’s not make it harder than it is, from Wikpedia: An audiophile is a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction.[1] An audiophile seeks to reproduce the sound of a live musical performance, typically in a room with good acoustics. It is widely agreed that reaching this goal is very difficult and that even the best-regarded recording and playback systems rarely, if ever, achieve it.[2][3] Audiophile values may be applied at all stages of music reproduction: the initial audio recording, the production process, and the playback, which is usually in a home setting. In general, the values of an audiophile are seen to be antithetical to the growing popularity of more convenient but lower quality music, especially lossy digital file types like MP3, lower definition streaming services, and inexpensive headphones.[4] The term high-end audio refers to playback equipment used by audiophiles, which may be bought at specialist shops and websites. Wiki is a convenient reference and often quoted without knowing the true meaning of the citation. The reference (1) in Wiki actually defines audiophile as " the man who is more interested in stunts or the over powering reproduction of drums, triangles and, if it comes to that, the components of "concrete music". …… " but, if he ( music lover) takes the advice of an audiophile, he may find himself landed with an outfit that doesn't give him what he wants" . ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
Popular Post Teresa Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 4 hours ago, STC said: ...They don't hang out here nor call themselves audiophiles. I consider myself an audiophile because I prefer listening to music from audiophile and other naturally made recordings from AudioQuest Music, Chesky, Groove Note, Reference Recordings and other audiophile labels. I also prefer SACD discs and DSD downloads. I consider my audio / video / computer system mid-fi and I greatly enjoy music played through it. The total cost was around $3.5k including computer and HDTV. Is better sound available ? Sure. However, I love what I have and usually keep equipment until it dies. Most of my equipment is 25-30 years old. My Mac Mini and Teac USB DSD DAC are the newest, both are 6 years old. I am a poor audiophile, economically I'm in the lowest part of the lower middle class, just a few bucks above poor. I have to save up to buy equipment one at a time, and a $500 component is a big purchase, which I could only swing once a year and that does cut into the music budget. It upsets me that so many people think only rich people are audiophiles, it just is not true! What you are describing is audiophilia nervosa , which is a risk factor of being an audiophile but most audiophiles do not suffer from it. From Urban Dictionary Audiophilia nervosa describes the anxiety resulting from the never-ending quest to obtain the ultimate performance from one's stereo system by means of employing state-of-the-art components, cables, and the use of certain "tweaks." Although the goal is supposedly to achieve maximum appreciation of the music, those afflicted with this condition are merely obsesed with their electronics. Shadders, MetalNuts, PeterSt and 3 others 5 1 I have dementia. I save all my posts in a text file I call Forums. I do a search in that file to find out what I said or did in the past. I still love music. Teresa Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 1 minute ago, Teresa said: I consider myself an audiophile because I prefer listening to music from audiophile and other naturally made recordings from AudioQuest Music, Chesky, Groove Note, Reference Recordings and other audiophile labels. I also prefer SACD discs and DSD downloads. I consider my audio / video / computer system mid-fi and I greatly enjoy music played through it. The total cost was around $3.5k including computer and HDTV. Is better available sound? Sure. However, I love what I have and usually keep equipment until it dies. Most of my equipment is 25-30 years old. My Mac Mini and Teac USB DSD DAC are the newest, both are 6 years old. I am a poor audiophile, economically I'm in the lowest part of the lower middle class, just a few bucks above poor. I have to save up to buy equipment one at a time, and a $500 component is a big purchase, which I could only swing once a year and that does cut into the music budget. It upsets me that so many people think only rich people are audiophiles, it just is not true! What you are describing is audiophilia nervosa , which is a risk factor of being an audiophile but most audiophiles do not suffer from it. From Urban Dictionary Audiophilia nervosa describes the anxiety resulting from the never-ending quest to obtain the ultimate performance from one's stereo system by means of employing state-of-the-art components, cables, and the use of certain "tweaks." Although the goal is supposedly to achieve maximum appreciation of the music, those afflicted with this condition are merely obsesed with their electronics. You are a music lover. You just needed the right equipment to the job. Teresa 1 ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
DuckToller Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 4 hours ago, STC said: No. It is not. next time, I should try Google translator. From my experience having a mothertongue other than English: just verify your own English phrasing with DEEPL (reversly), that keeps you advancing in the use of English-American expressions. Deeps is more like lossless traduction. Google translate has no musicality or warmth and sounds like a 128k MP3 .. just give you an image of difference Tom STC 1 Link to comment
Popular Post STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 9 minutes ago, Teresa said: What you are describing is audiophilia nervosa , That has been described by Dr.Bowes in the 50s. "Audiophilia A new neurosis has been discovered: audiophilia, or the excessive passion for hi-fi sound and equipment. The discoverer: Dr. Henry Angus Bowes, clinical director in psychiatry at Ste. Anne's Hospital for veterans at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., himself an audio fan. Tweet by tweet and woof by woof, at a research meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Psychiatrist Bowes spelled out how audiophiliacs behave. Most of them are middleaged, male and intelligent, drawn largely from professions requiring highly conscientious performance (the church, accountancy, medicine, especially psychiatry). They are often single (or if married, childless). They rarely play any musical instrument well themselves. The hi-fi devotee, Dr. Bowes found, "is very frequently of compulsive personality, and tends to go through rituals in the playing of his recordings." What distinguishes the psychopathological addict from the enthusiastic followers of this (or any other) hobby? Dr. Bowes answered: "His tendency to become preoccupied with, and dependent upon, the bizarre recorded sounds . . . combined with the urgency of the need and the final insufficiency of all attempts to satisfy it ... The sound is turned up and up until it reaches the physical level of pain . . . One addict told me he would not be satisfied until he could hear the drop of saliva from the French horns." Those who are not well organized emotionally, said Dr. Bowes, "will treat their hi-fi set as the emotionally immature treat a car—as an expression of aggression, as a power symbol." To many it has a sexual connotation: addicts may be seeking a "sterile reproduction without biological bother," and in extreme cases, a record collection becomes a "symbolic harem." Significantly, says Psychiatrist Bowes (married, no children), an addict's wife almost always demands that the volume be turned down: "Perhaps in the male's interest in hi-fi she senses a rival, as shrill and discordant as herself." An unconscious motive for buying expensive equipment is often a desire for revenge, said Dr. Bowes. "One very compulsive patient, who found the sexual side of matrimony completely nauseating," he recalled, "was financially ruining his fairly wealthy wife by his extravagant purchases . . . while she obtained instinctual gratification elsewhere. As he somewhat ruefully remarked: 'She's interested in low fidelity and high frequency.' " Teresa, Jeff_N and Hugo9000 1 2 ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
Popular Post mansr Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 STC and Superdad 1 1 Link to comment
STC Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Joining the club. https://youtu.be/TxQqWSnsHoA ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
MetalNuts Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 3 hours ago, STC said: I don't think anyone would criticize another's sound. Maybe in private but they will not tell that straight to their face. This is not a problem until they start to impose their view on others Absolutely agree. But we always see people try to impose their view on others even without listening to the equipment of others. Teresa 1 MetalNuts Link to comment
Popular Post MetalNuts Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 48 minutes ago, Teresa said: I consider myself an audiophile because I prefer listening to music from audiophile and other naturally made recordings from AudioQuest Music, Chesky, Groove Note, Reference Recordings and other audiophile labels. I also prefer SACD discs and DSD downloads. If you say you are an audiophile. then you are. I believe there are more than one level of audiophile and it is not necessary to refer to those who can afford to buy the most expensive equipment. We strive for the best within our own constraints and for this we are qualified to regard ourselves as audiophile. mav52, 4est, jtnt and 3 others 4 2 MetalNuts Link to comment
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