Ben-M Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Jud said: I guess I'm a stickler for trying to be accurate - can anyone find an interview or piece of writing where Alan Parsons actually said what was attributed to him in that quote? Closest I got was a 2012 interview in a publication called CEPro, where, under the headline "Alan Parsons Rips Audiophiles," the engineer and musician had these among other things to say: So the man who supposedly criticized audiophiles for not just enjoying the music seldom listens to music for enjoyment. The man who supposedly criticized audiophiles for listening to equipment says the art of listening is critical, and you can learn how to "discern minute differences in pieces of equipment." Here's his "rip" of audiophiles: Audiophiles don't pay sufficient attention to room treatment compared to pro sound people, and will pay lots of money for comparatively small improvements that aren't necessary in the pro environment. Wow, just scathing. _ _ _ I think highlighting the quote that Parsons may or may not have really said, and the blaring headline, in contrast to the much more balanced view presented in the actual interview, are symptomatic of exactly the sort of thing your editorial critiques, Chris. Do race drivers have this jaundiced view of car collectors, or do car collectors think this sort of thing about themselves or fellow collectors? Professional golfers or weekend duffers about the guy with an expensive set of clubs? Don't know. Maybe it exists and I'm not aware of it. If people are that much into regret at participation in the hobby or anger at the industry that absolutely forces you to spend money on equipment(!), maybe we need an AA (Audiophiles Anonymous) section here where they can let it all go and feel cleansed. Is more knowledge about how stuff works (or doesn't) better? Absolutely. To me that's not at all antithetical to enjoying my hobby. I could pass on my own assumptions about a few things from what I believe Chris was getting at, where it was coming from, and also that I understand the victories of your post. But overall, +1, this deserves a reply. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 26 minutes ago, rickca said: A psychiatrist would have a field day just analyzing some of the characters here on AS. I've had a couple contact me providing unsolicited comments. 😊 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
accwai Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 45 minutes ago, rickca said: A psychiatrist would have a field day just analyzing some of the characters here on AS. Psychologist? Link to comment
Jud Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 50 minutes ago, rickca said: A psychiatrist would have a field day just analyzing some of the characters here on AS. 4 minutes ago, accwai said: Psychologist? Whatever. 😉 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. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 3 minutes ago, Jud said: Whatever. 😉 Jud 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
BrokeLinuxPhile Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I've run into musical genre bias as well, never understood it. As a musician, I never judge other people's tastes in music and just encourage everyone to listen to whatever connects to them. It's also maddening to walk into hifi shops, tell them i listen to prog rock/metal, and they are clueless about suggesting gear to me. Or very resistant to me demoing Sepultura at listening volume while DAC shopping 😡 Link to comment
Popular Post esldude Posted April 9, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 9, 2019 Man ....come on.....it is a nose FLUTE. Why depreciate such an instrument by calling it a whistle. And while we're at it the Irish patented it first. My first encounter was hearing the Polynesian version played by a Chinese missionary. Everyone should know by now the basic structure of forums online are inherently devisive and polarizing. Thanks for a wise handling of your forum Chris. But stop dissing the nose FLUTE with backhanded comments. 😁 DuckToller, The Computer Audiophile, christopher3393 and 1 other 3 1 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. Link to comment
Summit Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Great post! But what’s the answer to your question 😁? The Computer Audiophile 1 Link to comment
JDoyle Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 “Jay Leno owns 150 cars...”. I own a collector car as well as my stupid overpriced stereo, I’m proud to be a double wacko! 😂 JD The Computer Audiophile 1 Link to comment
billg Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 you put the lime in the coconut... Link to comment
Axial Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 8 hours ago, audiobomber said: I was surprised to see no mention of cables in the editorial. Audiophile cables appear to be the biggest trigger for animosity on this site (and many others). ...And MQA. Sound Matters Link to comment
Popular Post Axial Posted April 9, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 9, 2019 8 hours ago, accwai said: Chris, you've probably way underestimated the showoff freaks. Cleverest of them can take advantage of both gear and music at the same time. Look at this guy: https://youtu.be/pd1JYxBZS3s Worst, he's into heavy photo gear and blasts around in Ferraris ← yes 's', mid *and* front engine. whatsbestforum.com is packed with freaks like that. As a service to the people, could you open a subforum here so we can rat these guys out? Then we can bring full force of the AS brigade to bear and shame them off the 'net The content in your post, to me, doesn't sound very sweet. Styles of audiophiles come in all colors and fantastic music history. It is that great aspect of respect that makes our world evolves in the right cultural directions. Bonus: DuckToller and fabythom2713 2 Sound Matters Link to comment
Axial Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Stats ... • Old: https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/computeraudiophile.com • New: https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/audiophilestyle.com Sound Matters Link to comment
Popular Post jtnt Posted April 9, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 9, 2019 More this. Much more this. Very well put. Can't upvote this enough. Paul R and The Computer Audiophile 1 1 Link to comment
fas42 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 9 hours ago, accwai said: Chris, you've probably way underestimated the showoff freaks. Cleverest of them can take advantage of both gear and music at the same time. Look at this guy: https://youtu.be/pd1JYxBZS3s Worst, he's into heavy photo gear and blasts around in Ferraris ← yes 's', mid *and* front engine. whatsbestforum.com is packed with freaks like that. As a service to the people, could you open a subforum here so we can rat these guys out? Then we can bring full force of the AS brigade to bear and shame them off the 'net Takes only seconds of system playback to hear that his rig is way out of whack - not worth taking seriously ... as good an example as any of how audiophiles lose the plot; if the intention is to connect to the music ... Link to comment
mav52 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 2 hours ago, JDoyle said: “Jay Leno owns 150 cars...”. I own a collector car as well as my stupid overpriced stereo, I’m proud to be a double wacko! 😂 JD Hey you are normal. I'm right there with you, and I have a lot of Nikon camera equipment as well. Ralf11 1 The Truth Is Out There Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 24 minutes ago, fas42 said: Takes only seconds of system playback to hear that his rig is way out of whack - not worth taking seriously ... as good an example as any of how audiophiles lose the plot; if the intention is to connect to the music ... If he likes his system’s sound that’s all that matters. You’re defining his plot and suggesting he can’t connect to the music unless he follows your plot. I don’t understand why you care. Teresa 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post mav52 Posted April 9, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 9, 2019 52 minutes ago, fas42 said: Takes only seconds of system playback to hear that his rig is way out of whack - not worth taking seriously ... as good an example as any of how audiophiles lose the plot; if the intention is to connect to the music ... Have you actually heard his system at his place in person ? Teresa, 4est and The Computer Audiophile 3 The Truth Is Out There Link to comment
fas42 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 18 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said: If he likes his system’s sound that’s all that matters. You’re defining his plot and suggesting he can’t connect to the music unless he follows your plot. I don’t understand why you care. I care because I believe systems like his have led the world of audiophiles astray - I'm sure if I put on any of my test CDs on his rig they would sound abominable - and he would come back with that casual, so typical, throwaway, GIGO ... Which is why 'normal' people think this world is nuts - they want to listen to higher quality versions of their favourite music; and, the "fancy rig" makes them sound worse! If people want to ladle makeup all over their recordings that's fine - but they shouldn't kid themselves that they are getting closer to what was in front of the microphones ... Teresa, The Computer Audiophile and mav52 3 Link to comment
fas42 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Just now, mav52 said: Have you actually heard his system at his place in person ? You don't need to - the YouTube clip passes on all the information to clearly define what the sound is like; I have heard oodles of rigs in person that make those sort of noises. Just think ... if the musicians of the recording happened to also be in that room, and played a bit; how would that sound, over that YouTube item? There are plenty of clips where exactly that has been done - one thing is always obvious: they don't sound like a hifi system! The Computer Audiophile, Teresa, mav52 and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted April 10, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 10, 2019 34 minutes ago, fas42 said: I care because I believe systems like his have led the world of audiophiles astray - I'm sure if I put on any of my test CDs on his rig they would sound abominable - and he would come back with that casual, so typical, throwaway, GIGO ... Which is why 'normal' people think this world is nuts - they want to listen to higher quality versions of their favourite music; and, the "fancy rig" makes them sound worse! If people want to ladle makeup all over their recordings that's fine - but they shouldn't kid themselves that they are getting closer to what was in front of the microphones ... Wow. You just can’t let people be happy with whatever they like can you. Your deductions from little to zero data are preposterous as well. 27 minutes ago, fas42 said: You don't need to - the YouTube clip passes on all the information to clearly define what the sound is like; I have heard oodles of rigs in person that make those sort of noises. Just think ... if the musicians of the recording happened to also be in that room, and played a bit; how would that sound, over that YouTube item? There are plenty of clips where exactly that has been done - one thing is always obvious: they don't sound like a hifi system! All of this through a terrible A to D converter on the video camera and lossy YouTube compression and you’ve nailed it. Some golden ears 😁 Teresa, mav52, 4est and 2 others 5 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Ralf11 Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 I am still trying to get past the Ferrari thing. Link to comment
Axial Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 Some of you guys are tough with Christian (Rocketman); he's one of the nicest guys of the planet. Plus, he's in a brand new home now, new room and all. He's an avid true audiophile explorer, on a journey that the majority of us can only dream of. And that is what I have to say about it. Chris is 100% right with this thread's intro. The support we give is the love we have. The Computer Audiophile 1 Sound Matters Link to comment
STC Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 11 hours ago, Jud said: I guess I'm a stickler for trying to be accurate - can anyone find an interview or piece of writing where Alan Parsons actually said what was attributed to him in that quote? He didn't. It was someone else who made the comment to the interview. He said many good things in other interviews but those were mostly inconvenient truth for audiophiles. ST My Ambiophonics System with Virtual Concert Hall Ambience Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted April 10, 2019 Author Share Posted April 10, 2019 1 minute ago, STC said: He didn't. It was someone else who made the comment to the interview. He said many good things in other interviews but those were mostly inconvenient truth for audiophiles. Is it possible he said it outside this single article / interview? Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
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