"It sounds as if it should cost many times more"

[Khorn]

Over the years I've been amused at the number of times an equipment review ends with a phrase like "It sounds like it should cost many times it's $XXX price" or a phrase like "I've never heard better at any price". Now does that mean its a waste of money buying premium "top of the line" equipment? If, and just if, the lower priced unit actually did sound as good as the higher priced premium ones then what is the rational for spending the extra (sometimes a huge amount) for the higher priced units?

I know that you could maybe justify the better quality components, construction, finish and style for a price premium but if the main reason for your system is the reproduction of music then couldn't you argue that if a much lower priced unit did sound as good as the higher (many times the price) ones then for the same amount or less you could replace the lower cost units with newer models therefore after the first replacement you would sonically be ahead of the game! Makes sense!

What do I think?....Unless there is a substantial advance in the technology governing the particular component we happen to be talking about then it is those very things like quality of construction and components that all add up to better sound.

What do you think? Buy more often or, buy higher quality for longer periods of time?

Oh, another great reviewer's quote: "It sounds as good as it looks". ?????

[Dave]

Higher quality components for longer periods of time gets my vote Khorn.

[lsupro]

Amen! I second that...

[Tyler]

I'd go for the higher quality, wants to replace components on a regular basis?

[lsupro]

not me....I just want to buy more good ones... not to replace... just to have and enjoy!

[peterC]

Originally posted by Khorn
Over the years I've been amused at the number of times an equipment review ends with a phrase like "It sounds like it should cost many times it's $XXX price" or a phrase like "I've never heard better at any price".


Funny you should mention it. I was just thinking about this the other day!

It's nonsense really.

If enough pieces of equipment get burdened with such reviews then shouldn't the logical conclusion be that eventually they will sound exactly as they should for the price and more expensive equipment is just overpriced?

Like the footballer who gets called "under-rated" so often that he's really not under-rated at all!

[Gary]

Eh, who cares? It's just a sales pitch! Buy now! Great value for your money!

Good equipment ages gracefully (IMO). People still respect vintage McIntosh tube gear, for example. As well as Fisher, Dynaco, etc.

[mcow1]

Higher quality components. Why keep replacing if what you have sounds great. I find, generally, you get what you pay for.:)

[efhjr]

Originally posted by Khorn
What do you think? Buy more often or, buy higher quality for longer periods of time?

Here's a Chinese proverb I've always liked:

"Buy the best and you cry once. Buy the cheapest and you cry forever."

[Strabo]

I've been noticing this a lot lately too. I have been toying with the thought of replacing my current speakers and I have seen this phrase with just about every speaker I look at.

If model X sounds as good as the more expensive model Y, then Y must be overpriced.
So, do I wait until the price of model Y comes down to where it should be? Or should I jump on X before they start pricing it the same as Y?

Now I'm all confused so I think I'll go home empty handed to listen to my current set-up which is also depressing after hearing the new and improved stuff.

[aashton]

I have been toying with this thought for a while - a reviewer should review a piece of equipment without knowledge of price and as part of the review process assess what the price should be (taking into account performance, workmanship and aesthetics). Items costing more than the valuation are thus rated not good value for money and items priced below their valuation are good value for money - in this way you could produce a value quotient.

I tend to hold onto my audio equipment for a long time - in fact I prefer not to sell and just move stuff into storage :)

All the best - Andrew

[Cliff]

I too find that you usually *get* what you pay for - from cables to electonics.

[Gary]

Originally posted by aashton
I have been toying with this thought for a while - a reviewer should review a piece of equipment without knowledge of price and as part of the review process assess what the price should be (taking into account performance, workmanship and aesthetics). Items costing more than the valuation are thus rated not good value for money and items priced below their valuation are good value for money - in this way you could produce a value quotient.


This makes waaaaay too much sense. You've been thinking again, Andrew! Tut, tut (an old King from Egypt).

:D

[Gary]

Originally posted by Strabo
I've been noticing this a lot lately too. I have been toying with the thought of replacing my current speakers and I have seen this phrase with just about every speaker I look at.

If model X sounds as good as the more expensive model Y, then Y must be overpriced.
So, do I wait until the price of model Y comes down to where it should be? Or should I jump on X before they start pricing it the same as Y?


I was thinking about your post, Strabo. I'm not sure if this'll help you or not. My speakers are over 20 years old and I am still happy with them. I even like them better than some expensive Watt speakers that I've heard. However the store was using a Krell solid state amp and who-knows-what cables so it was not really a fair comparison. Maybe they do sound better than my Tangents - who knows?

There are a few things that you may want to consider before you spend mega bucks on speakers. They improved my sound! Maybe it'll work for you!

1) better interconnects (Grovers) and speaker cables (Kimber? Idon't know. Or wait for the Grover speaker cabes!).

2) I replaced the interior wiring of the speakers with Kimber speaker cable wire. The previous interior wiring was pretty thin.

I now have a fuller, richer sound! So I guess what I am saying is that perhaps you are not hearing the best that your system can do! Perhaps you don't need to upgrade your speakers!!

Strabo, I checked your profile and you have some very nice stuff. However, I've never heard your speaker cables or interconnects - or even your speakers! So I have no idea if these ideas will help you or not (although I can certainly endorse the Grovers!!) Please don't take offense, OK? I just thought I'd mention an alternative for your consideration.

Thanks for hearing me out!

Gary

[Claus]

Originally posted by Dave
Higher quality components for longer periods of time gets my vote Khorn.

I agree... I still have no SACD player... but I won't spent money for an average solution.

I'm happy with my components... and I believe room acoustic is the most important thing... I have heard many very expensive components, but the sound was so bad...