May Issue Affordable$$Audio

markmarc

Hi Everyone:
Affordable$$Audio's May issue is available for free download. This month you can read the first anywhere review of the Musiland DAC, North America's first look at the Dali Mentor 5 towers. Also included are two DIY articles and a look at the classic Harman Kardon Citation II amp.

Thanks for supporting this all-volunteer celebration of audio!
www.affordableaudio.org

dcmeigs

I see our own Zingo is featured in a back issue. Zingo Cable Review

If that doesn't work, here is the cut and paste: www.affordableaudio.org/ZingoCables.pdf

Gaara

I really liked the reviews of the <$500 DACs and tube pre but the $2k+ squeezebox and especially the $900 interconnects seemed a little out of the realm of "Affordable". I guess to each his own and what is expensive to some is cheap to others.

sucks2beme

Do you get ideas for reviews from here? The SB3 with mods and the Monica
dac reviews hit close to several threads here lately about pc audio.

Gaara

Zero wrote: »

Then you musta really loved the Dali article. $3100.

Oh well, just a warning; in a few months we'll be covering a piece from McIntosh.... it ain't 'cheap'.

Nah, I got no problem with $3k speakers, I just would never think of $900 interconnects as affordable. I mean just say you have a cdp and turntable, pre amp, and amp with a pair of $3k speakers. If you use those interconnects thats $2700 just in interconnects, and your spending nearly the same % of your budget on cables as speakers.

sucks2beme

Gaara wrote: »

Nah, I got no problem with $3k speakers, I just would never think of $900 interconnects as affordable. I mean just say you have a cdp and turntable, pre amp, and amp with a pair of $3k speakers. If you use those interconnects thats $2700 just in interconnects, and your spending nearly the same % of your budget on cables as speakers.

And let's not forget to budget in speaker cables.

Gaara

Zero,

I get that to some people its affordable, I just wouldn't think it would be the crowd that does would read affordable audio. Lets say you spend ~10% of your budget on interconnects in a system. If I had a system like I described it would be $27,000 to justify the $2,700 in interconnects. As sucks points out thats without speaker wire, add some in for $300 and we are talking a $30k rig. Even if you only had 1pr and $100 in total other cables it would be $10k.

I guess thats my point, I didn't see a $30k or even a $10k rig as affordable. I don't see a issue in spending $3k even $5k on speakers, I just don't see it on interconnects. I assume most, with the exception of patrick82, would say interconnects have less of a impact on the rig then speakers.

Hawkeye

I think that the article on $900.00 IC's was out of place. While there are different opinions on the percieved value of IC's, I think the editor risks alienating it's intended audience.

For example, take the new guy asking about what IC's to use. He/she is going to see this article and say "wow, they cost more than my whole system". While the article was well written, take the person that stretches to buy these and installs them on a $300 amp and that sonic nirvana does not appear.

I think there are many IC's on the market that are truely affordable and the editor should review those.

sucks2beme

I don't think reviewing expensive cables is bad. I like to see reviews at all levels. Afordable Audio gives a non-pro viewpoint to many products old and new. Some positive, some negative. While most of us may never get to that level, It's nice to read what it brings to the table that a $300 cable doesn't. Normally, cable reviews cover stuff in the high end or low end. Not Both. For free, I sure don't have any complaints, just praise for AA. They seem to read my mind half the time. Several times I have been
thinking about a new or used product, and found the review in the AA!

markmarc

I guess it's time for me to weigh in......

Cables are a hot button issue, no question about it, especially when it comes to price. I wouldn't tell anybody to build their system around cables. But for some, trying to eek out that last bit if of ability from their equipment means looking at upper scale cables. If you look at the various signatures in the Polk forum you'll see a tremendous swing in cable used.

Secondly, many of us are big on buying used equipment. I'm a perfect example of building a fine system on pre-owned gear at a substantial savings over new. An amplifier may not be in your budget straight from the factory, but 2 years later at half the new price, BINGO, it's in your ball park. That is one reason that the standalone review archive exists at Affordable$$Audio, the reader can easily access every review.

Third, if you look in this issue, the Dali Mentor 5's at $3100 are counter balanced by the Vandersteen 1C at $995. We have two DACS at $299 and $375 respectively. Previously, we have reviewed the AudioArt, Zebra, Zingo, and MAC cables, all of which are quality/value offerings.

Finally, all the writers try to pay attention to what equipment is catching the buzz, and try to acquire that item for review. We won't please everyone every month, but we do listen and try.

treitz3

I'll chime in here and say that those cables are affordable to those who are serious about this hobby. I don't have a 30,000.00 rig, but I easily have well over 3K wrapped up in cables. The percentage of money spent on parts of a rig is a general guideline and may not reflect reality for many. Besides, if you like the review and can't afford the cables right now....wait some time until you start to see some appear on the used market and then they may become affordable to you. At least you have the free review offered by a mag that offers real reviews not swayed by the advertising vehicle to reference.

One other thing I would like to add. This e-zine is Affordable Audio, what's affordable is subjective obviously. There are many folks I know that wouldn't spend $700.00 on an entire system and are perfectly content with computer speakers or a boom box. In addition, the e-zine's motto is "The Free E-zine For Frugal Audio Enthusiasts". Note the word "frugal". That doesn't mean cheap, low cost, basement bargain white van speaker type gear. It means affordable audio for the frugal buyer. With different levels of affordability, this review was right in line with where it should be.

dorokusai

I'd pick up the Vandersteen before that Dali Mentor, anyday.

Gaara

Sorry Sean and Mark, I didn't mean for this thread to go this route. I guess I just found it odd that there was reviews of $300 DACs and $1k speakers in the same issue as the $900 cables. You guys keep doing what your doing, I love reading all the reviews every month and you guys cover more unique products then anyone else out there. I love seeing the small manufacturers getting the spotlight like DIY Paradise or Promitheus Audio.

Early B.

I don't mind seeing a "high end" review every now and then in AA e-zine. It allows the reader to put his gear into perspective. I'm sure there have been times where you read a review that compared one piece of gear to a much more expensive piece (or vice versa), and you walked away appreciating your own affordable gear.

I personally think spending $900 on a pair of ICs is crazy. However, if I had the money to buy $900 ICs, I probably would, and then I'd think that spending only $100 on a pair of ICs is crazy.

markmarc

Gaara:
No apology necessary. I have no problem with listening to other points of view especially when done a respectful way by all involved. It's very healthy for our hobby.

I grew up working in my dad's independent pharmacy, it's a big reason why I like to cover the smaller manufacturers with the same focus as the big guys such as Polk. They go the extra mile and I truly believe are the ones on the cutting edge.

fatchowmein

Mark,
This issue looks great.

Thx for all the hard work