Is now the right time for "Extreme Week"?

[Iving]

The OP modestly makes clear he: (i) appreciates the efforts of reviewers; (ii) considers the reviews germane "exquisite"; (iii) himself "lusts" after the SQ of expensive equipment; (iv) understands the escape listening motive at this difficult WFH time; and (v) isn't motivated primarily as a spoiler/killjoy.

He wants to reflect on: A. his hypothetical "guilt" should he spend "Extreme"-level money given the world's circumstances, together with his hypothetically enhanced enjoyment of music should he donate part of what he might otherwise spend on his next upgrade; and B. whether there is a shift of focus at AS towards less affordable gear together with whether AS might encourage more reviews at an affordable level (particularly for those at home not-thru-choice, and those working at the coalface whose incomes may not match top-end gear prices).

 

5 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

"Affordable" means different things to different people.

 

I agree that affordability is a state of mind; however, even more is it a matter of depth-of-pocket. I don't wrestle with whether I might have lobster for dinner unless I am wealthy.

 

3 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

I have never thought of AS as a high-end gear audio forum. The emphasis always seemed to me to get the best gear/software at the least cost, bang for buck. In the days of "CA" owning expensive gear could get you ridiculed.

I think this is already covered in the forums regularly - the extreme week, is more the exception, which I welcome.

 

I agree that there is room for everybody here. If you can't afford an Extreme, but want a best possible alternative, you can build your own server assisted exponentially by the knowledge and experience blogged on AS. I am all about bang-for-buck - no matter how much I can or cannot spend. I am not offended remotely by "Extreme Week". The reviews are Ace. I can learn what's good about the Extreme and also corroborate what I know to be questionable (including that Extreme hardware is likely to become dated before you can take another breath, and that depreciation is likely to be significantly worse than driving a Mercedes or Jaguar out of the showroom).

 

3 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

I don't feel indulging yourself is mutually exclusive with helping others. You can do both. I just don't think the moral imperative should be brought into an audio and music hobby.

 

I don't agree with this. You can't spend the same money, time - or even enthusiasm and psychic energy - twice. Whether on self, family or others. I disagree strongly that our moral views should be inhibited or policed. Especially, God forbid, to assuage the cognitive dissonance of the monied. The OP makes a fair point. Many in the world are struggling even more than they were already because of Coronavirus - and there are some proper heroes helping them voluntarily or for not a lot of cash. Why shouldn't we reflect on that here. Nobody has to subscribe to or participate in a Thread they don't like. If this were a Motor Forum, what would be wrong with declaring that you'd have trouble spending 80k rather than 20k or 30k on a car at this time in human history.

[Iving]

What's under the bonnet here is culture. And diversity of culture. We are what we talk about (both chicken and egg). It's good to talk.

[Iving]

36 minutes ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

How does diversity of culture and/or embracing all cultures relate to caring for people dying of coronavirus or the heroes helping them? We can all contribute in our own way to help and look after others. having some much needed escape time and fun is not taboo, and if that means spending money that will end up in someone else's pocket eventually, so be it. Just as importantly it is how you spend your time, giving of yourself, not just dollars, that matters.

 

You seem to be missing the point.

 

Culture is about beliefs; or, more particularly, values. I certainly am not talking about [embracing all] ethnic cultures.

 

Patently you and I have divergent beliefs and values. We dwell in different cultures.

 

Talking about beliefs and values amongst ourselves has an effect on culture (that was the main point of my last post). Freedom to talk - should people want to do it - is a civil liberties matter. In this case we are talking about Hi-Fi. Not politics, religion, wars or anything else like that.

 

I think you've got some "straw" in there we've already covered. Nobody is challenging escape time, giving of self or how you do it - even freedom to spend your money how you like. You don't need to petition for your freedom. You already have it.

 

If we are at cross-purposes, don't worry about it. That's not a crime either.

[Iving]

30 minutes ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

Then you should have particularly stated that you were talking about beliefs and in particular ...

 

There was no need, but thank you for correcting me.

 

30 minutes ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

I may well share your values ...

 

Not as I see it ...

 

6 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

I just don't think the moral imperative should be brought into an audio and music hobby.

 

30 minutes ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

Your statement that "moral views should not be inhibited or policed", implies that I do. This is a mischaracterization. IMO there is a time and a place.

 

No-one is implying a denial of civil liberties. I prefer if we keep politics and religion and the pandemic out of HiFi discussions.

 

lol too many oxymorons

 

[anyway please review this isn't politics or religion it's spending lots of money or not on hifi]

[Iving]

7 minutes ago, jabbr said:

Agreed. I would like to point out that the “Extreme” might be the best option for the particular configuration selected — it feeds the Chord Upsampler. If one wants an “Extreme” server capable of extreme HQPlayer upsampling, I suspect this would NOT be the best, simply because single core CPU speed is the most important parameter ... and do a fancy extreme cooling solution to overclock an i9-10900K ... which has been liquid nitro cooled to 7.7 GHz! Might be better ... that said by our most recent testing wouldn’t get to EC modulators at DSD512 rates ... in any case there are different techniques each optimized for different requirements. There is no one right answer!

 

... plus some technology already "old" (low tdp easy to cool) might be better for some needs - e.g. no upsampling / offline playback etc.

[Iving]

Just now, jabbr said:

To each his or her own ... I do strongly feel that if someone makes the effort to do a multipart review then it deserves publication.

 

The reviews are Ace. Loads to learn. Entertaining too.

[Iving]

43 minutes ago, christopher3393 said:

an Extreme Week for Music? ... What say you?

 

Aye with gusto