Foolish to Predict the Future of Audio?

markmarc
markmarc Posts: 2,309
edited December 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Thought provoking read that should promote interesting opinions.

http://www.tonepublications.com/blog/why-we-refuse-to-predict-the-future/
Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
Former Staff Member TONEAudio
2 Ch. System
Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    markmarc wrote: »
    Thought provoking read that should promote interesting opinions.

    http://www.tonepublications.com/blog/why-we-refuse-to-predict-the-future/

    The article didn't say much...

    As for the future of audio? Things will get smaller, digital, more convenient. Active crossovers, subs, room correction.

    The new offering from NAD seems the way things are going to go. http://nadelectronics.com/products/digital-music/D-3020-Hybrid-Digital-Amplifier
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2013
    I never have paid much attention to the "high-end audio is dying" crowd. As the article mentions, there are tons of old and new manufacturers (look in any issue of stereophile or the absolute sound) selling gear. Just look at how many different cable vendors there are. Obviously, somebody is buying this stuff. With a world wide market in the billions, you don't need to sell much to be successful.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited December 2013
    Five years ago I was convinced that class D would rule the mass produced, budget audio amplifier world, especially HT receivers. It hasn't happened. The only thing I can honestly say I saw coming was the rise of headfi audio.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2013
    I agree it's hard to predict where things might go and very EASY TO BE WRONG!

    As a side note to aboroth00, why the obsession with "active crossovers". There are many speakers that sound fantastic without them? And they're really nothing new, been around for ages. There is no ONE solution to the problem of audio reproduction and speaker performance.

    Studio Monitors, sure, active crossovers-that's their normal environment.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited December 2013
    Headfi is definitely the booming market. In turn the the headfi crowd especially the youngsters are starting to demand better quality gear and recordings. I hope this will translate as they get older into future sales growth as they start making a little money and want actual systems in their homes.

    I believe and hopefully will rejuvenate the future market of hi-fi.

    Time will tell
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited December 2013
    Head-fi....or cans if you want to call them, have also been around for ages along with active crossovers, tubes, albums and record players, even the cdp may one day be viewed as ancient. But....none of it is going anywhere. Everyone is learning how to co-exist with future technologies or simply ignoring them. Which isn't all bad either.

    More choices is good, no ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    cnh wrote: »
    I agree it's hard to predict where things might go and very EASY TO BE WRONG!

    As a side note to aboroth00, why the obsession with "active crossovers". There are many speakers that sound fantastic without them? And they're really nothing new, been around for ages. There is no ONE solution to the problem of audio reproduction and speaker performance.

    Studio Monitors, sure, active crossovers-that's their normal environment.

    cnh

    Sure I don't disagree that passive crossovers sound great. I still use completely passive crossover speakers. I'm not necessarily obsessed with active crossovers as more as I am very intrigued by what they can do and how flexible they are. Audiophiles certainly are less willing to accept them and the popular notion is that they're relegated to studio monitors.

    Steep crossover slopes, on the fly adjustment, individual amplification for each driver, room correction, catering a sound sounds very appealing to me. I think as soon as it's more accepted and people start using these little devices such as the MiniDSP perhaps more mainstream speaker makers will adopt it to use in their speakers. Subwoofers and EQ are slowly making their rounds in the audiophile circle...
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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