2. misc-audio
  3. 146740-20253

We are buying and reviewing gear all wrong

So let's assume that cables, power conditioners and electronics all contribute noticeably to the sounds we hear.

In that case, maybe the idea of buying individual gear, reviewing individual gear, etc. is all messed up.
We should review entire systems, and buy entire systems.

This idea that we constantly shuffle interconnects, speaker and power cords for all our lives is messed up.

We shouldn't be looking at audio stores or reviewers as recommending gear, but themes. Styles. Entire collections all at once.
erik_squires

Showing 3 responses by bdp24

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bdp24
4,908 posts
 
High End brands offering complete systems have included QUAD, Linn, Naim, Acoustic Research, and McIntosh. Hmm, the first three from the UK, where system-building has always been taken seriously.
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bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Assembling good systems is what being a hi-fi retailer is all about. At least it used to be.
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bdp24
4,908 posts
 

Well, adding a single component to an already existing system is also a service offered by a hi-fi-retailer. In that case, the consumer would likely be the instigator, the retailer providing guidance and advice and potentially a loaner piece for the client/customer to take home to audition in his system. The problem with that is that many consumers have no such local retailer that provides that kind of service.

But now we are back to the issue and premise of this posting! It is a fortunate consumer who has a relationship with a hi-fi-retailer possessing enough integrity to resist a short-term sale in the interest of a maintaining a long-term relationship with a repeat customer.

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