Delusional Nice People

[James Tanner - Bryston]

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index....al-nice-people

[jdandy]

James.......Excellent article by Ken Kessler. I share many of the same thoughts.

[2fastdriving]

Yeah... I used to think expensive means better. In some cases it's true, usually speakers. But cable prices are outright crazy these days, and I'm just done.

[Ricjor1]

Nothing is truly "better", with something so subjective! Usually spending more money on amps, preamps, speakers, and the source can yield improvements. That has been my experience. As a matter of fact, everything I like now cost significantly more than what I have.

[bart]

Good read.
We do need this from time to time, to put us back with our feet on the (sane) ground.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

Nothing is truly "better", with something so subjective! Usually spending more money on amps, preamps, speakers, and the source can yield improvements. That has been my experience. As a matter of fact, everything I like now cost significantly more than what I have.

I agree, maybe I shouldn't have used the word "better".

It's the law of diminished returns...if you do it right, you can build a really great system for 20k or less. Sure you can spend more and it gets you better resolution, neutrality, texture, tonality, etc., but for each small increase in those you double the price. At a certain point it does seem outrageous that any set of cables costs the same as a nice car. I also agree with what he said about "R&D". Companies usually fall back on that as justification. I dunno...how much R&D can there possibly be into how wire sounds? Some, sure, but enough to justify the wires costing what an SUV does? hmmm

[Ricjor1]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I agree, maybe I shouldn't have used the word "better".

It's the law of diminished returns...if you do it right, you can build a really great system for 20k or less. Sure you can spend more and it gets you better resolution, neutrality, texture, tonality, etc., but for each small increase in those you double the price. At a certain point it does seem outrageous that any set of cables costs the same as a nice car. I also agree with what he said about "R&D". Companies usually fall back on that as justification. I dunno...how much R&D can there possibly be into how wire sounds? Some, sure, but enough to justify the wires costing what an SUV does? hmmm

I agree with you, but can honestly say, if I had the money I would spend more. Small increases is what the obsession is about. Hopefully it helps us enjoy the music more.

[BuffaloBill]

I still smell smoke...

[Grasshopper]

I try to stay right at the price for performance line.

Jumping into nano improvements for mega bucks has no appeal for me. Great article.

[Alki]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Sure you can spend more and it gets you better resolution, neutrality, texture, tonality, etc., but for each small increase in those you double the price.

Maybe..............

I have heard equipment costing more than what I have and did not think it was better sounding to me.

I am also a firm beleaver in that a new component, cable, or speaker released by a company may not be an improvement over the old one that was disconnected.

Loved the initial article.