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Art Dudley Calls B.S. but without naming names - PLEASE DO!

Hey all,

As someone who hasn't been reading the audiophile press for all that long, I stumbled upon this article that I'm sure it lit up these airwaves when it was first published: https://www.stereophile.com/content/skin-deep

It's a great article and one that any knowledgeable person would most likely agree with, but hey, spending your own hard-earned (or inherited) money is a right and a privilege.  Art does call out some brands that he perceives to give great value:  AMVR, VPL, Conrad-Johnson, DeVore and Harbeth and Kimber and Peachtree and Quicksilver and Rega and Rogue and Spendor and Wavelength.  Shouldn't NAD be on this list?  

But what he doesn't do and I think is warranted, is name the companies that are most egregious in selling high-end products where the performance is far below the cost.  

I, for one, would love to see a list of those manufacturers from the people who read this forum.  You can group them by what they manufacture or just put them in order as you see fit.  I think it would be most helpful in calling b.s. but with "added-value", which is what this whole article was all about.  Right?

128x128lgoler
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
On NAD: I really like my current NAD 3020 D, listening to it now, but NAD has also made a few digital stinkers too. :) 

Even if I like the brand, I may not like everything it's produced.

Best,

E
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
I find myself in complete agreement with Art. I was making the point here the other day that the general public considers this hobby mostly snake oil, and Art rightly described that perception as "fraudulent". And like him, I do question the quality and technical merits of gear in wildly overwrought cases, especially when somebody's $30,000 radically changes character when you plug it into a different outlet. 
glow_worm
27 posts
 
Good article, thanks for sharing. It also includes a link to a related one by JA. Though may I point out that now, 6 years later, recommended components includes interconnects for $18,000/M. And a number of others that are close. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
Glad to read the 3 way make up
i enjoy what all three of you have to say :-)
peace is underrated...
i also am blessed to own a 2nd place, but I view that as an asset allocation choice that in this case favors a family member with cancer - I don’t put myself into the conspicuous consumption group but my more frugal friends might question my sanity now and then....( as they should )

listen
build a network of dealers you trust
buy gear from companies that offer offer a product upgrade path: Aestheix, Ayre, Vandersteen come to mind, there are more...
stay away from gear your jeweler or chiropractor would prefer you own....

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
But and this is my opinion I have a massive MR-85 tuner ( the R = Reference ) that is decimated by a lowly MX-110

same expert master MC tech rebuilt them both at same time... on his bench they were at best equal....

there I said it....
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