What Is "High End" Audio?

123457»

Comments

  • MANSKITO
    MANSKITO Posts: 295
    edited February 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    He's saying your $1000 amp is a **** who's probably got some kind of disease from being mated to gear that is not high end.

    lawl (thats a joke correct?)
    Monitor 60s, CS10 front
    Monitor 40s, back
    PSW10:(

    H/k AVR 325
    Sansui Tape Deck
    Pioneer PD-5010 CD player

    Sennheiser HD 650s :D
    Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1 DAC

    AMD Phenom II 940 @ 3.8 prime stabel
    4 gigs 1066, cas 5
    XFX 4890 1gig
    Seagate 1tb 7200.12
    Creative X-fI Titanium Fatal1ty
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited February 2010
    MANSKITO wrote: »
    lawl (thats a joke correct?)

    No, seriously. Handle your equipment with condoms over your hands.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2010
    Whoa, things are getting freaky in here:eek:

    DK,
    I like your post. Very good description of audio.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2010
    JA from Stereophiles' view, FWIW, he says it prettier than I do:

    http://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/1194awsi2/index.html#
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ranger0912
    Ranger0912 Posts: 50
    edited February 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    High Fidelity is when the reproduction as to what hits your ears is as close as possible to the real thing.

    Finding that is like winning the lottery. Since nothing reproduced will sound absolutely like the real thing, I guess we are all still trying to find that winning ticket.

    A very insightful comment since all of us are chasing the elusive goal of what sound's "best" to us given our individual resources. When you stop and think about it, part of the fun of the hobby is engaging in the give and take about our personal opinions and experiences on forums such as this. In the end, if we're able to come away with information that helps us achieve that goal, the effort was worthwhile.
    McIntosh MA-7000 Integrated
    Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD
    B&W 805s
    Logitech Transporter Wireless Link
    Mac Mini Music Server
    Furman Elite Power Conditioning
    Signal Cable, Magic Power Cables
    Signal Cable, Silver Resolution Balanced Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited February 2010
    steveinaz wrote: »
    JA from Stereophiles' view, FWIW, he says it prettier than I do:

    http://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/1194awsi2/index.html#

    Great article.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2010
    I have in fact spent considerable time searching the Hole for the hi-end and the low-end, by the very nature of this action I have not yet found the end.

    I can though say that although i have found the system's rely and lay predominately within the linear the search however is more of a twisted spiral.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • moodyman
    moodyman Posts: 45
    edited February 2010
    jetmaker737 wrote: »
    he's saying your $1000 amp is a **** who's probably got some kind of disease from being mated to gear that is not high end.

    lmao..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkymond
    polkymond Posts: 11
    edited February 2010
    Well said! and totally agreed. Design is the key. Some company just like to show off expensive cap, transformer and etc... that is nothing.

    Some brand is the worst... poor quality and poor design and cheap part house in a nice case :) Do you know what this is?

    2142149.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Amherst
    Amherst Posts: 695
    edited February 2010
    Guess...................Flux Capacitor! :p

    I give, what is it?
    Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
    Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
    Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2010
    I'd love to know.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2010
    Looks like a headphone amp?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2010
    Grado headphone amp.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mopar paul
    mopar paul Posts: 277
    edited February 2010
    You mean a $350.00 Grado headphone amp with these simple parts that can be built for $20.00??
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2010
    ...and that would suprise you because....? there's hideous mark-up on hi-fi, I'd love to see what some of these $65,000 speakers cost to manufacture--
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mopar paul
    mopar paul Posts: 277
    edited February 2010
    Yeah I do believe that too. I understand, from experience, the cost related to research, development and production but some things (like this amp) are purely a rip off! When you see components that are CLEARLY one of a kind, billet aluminum, etc., now that stuff is not cheap to make but still probably overpriced.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2010
    Don't forget the R&D costs... but yeah, the mark-up is crazy. This is why anytime I see a speaker with stock drivers, I try to get my hands on the cross-over...

    edit: got beat to the R&D point.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mopar paul
    mopar paul Posts: 277
    edited February 2010
    "edit: got beat to the R&D point."
    I was getting ready to say-NO ONE LISTENS TO ME:( lol

    Yeah speakers are the most interesting thing out there to me...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited February 2010
    steveinaz wrote: »
    ...and that would suprise you because....? there's hideous mark-up on hi-fi, I'd love to see what some of these $65,000 speakers cost to manufacture--

    Probably 10K? Which would be reasonable in my view given a small company.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mini-me
    mini-me Posts: 70
    edited February 2010
    To know High End, one must know all about Low End and Mid End too.

    To truly understand about Hi-Fi, one needs to have experienced with Low-Fi and Mid-Fi.

    The rest is just the details.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2010
    What about my-fi and wi-fi?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mini-me
    mini-me Posts: 70
    edited February 2010
    My-Fi is not Ur-Fi and Wi-Fi usually SUCKS!~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2010
    madmax wrote: »
    Probably 10K? Which would be reasonable in my view given a small company.
    madmax

    The $65k Modulari Duo by krell has about $3k worth of drivers (at retail)... So I'm guessing the cost is closer to $5k-$6k. But R&D is a ****.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited February 2010
    mini-me wrote: »
    To know High End, one must know all about Low End and Mid End too.

    To truly understand about Hi-Fi, one needs to have experienced with Low-Fi and Mid-Fi.

    The rest is just the details.


    Not a bad observation there mini-me. I agree to that!
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited February 2010
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    Let's consider two mail order brides.

    Potential wife #1 costs $1,000 and is a faithful companion in every way except that she will always be on the lookout for something better. She definitely won't cheat but she will flirt with other men and she will drop hints that she can be "taken away" for the right price.

    Potential wife #2 costs $10,000 and is a faithful companion in every way. She will be focused on her husband, home and work. The thought of even flirting with another man, even in jest, would never enter her mind.

    Both women are very attractive physically, and both graduated from nursing school. Also assume that the women are equally desirable with regard to family background and personality compatibility. Potential wife #2 is just a little better looking than #1.

    Which potential wife is "high end" and why?

    Can I get both for $11K? Is that lawful?

    Or better yet, Can I get (10) of the $1,000 mail order brides instead of (1) $10,00 wife?
    You said both are faithful companions in every way.;)

    Just kidding D.K. - I love the analogy.:)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter