Modern Linestages

Correction - Absolute Sound has the Constellation Altair preamp review not Stereophile.

...I find it interesting that "OR" can stand for either Operating Room or Oakland Raiders. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Lately I've been dividing my attention between Irene and this thread. One is a phenomena that is wreaking havoc, upsetting people and causing a lot of anxiety. The other is a hurricane.

Onemug,

H.S. Thompson has nothing on you ;-)

Vbr,
Sam

Grannyring, it was the Constellation review that prompted my original post. It appears to be an enormously complex product for a linestage. Whether or not the Constellation pushes some theoretical state of the art is a question I'll probably never know. But I will ask is that level of complexity and its resulting cost really necessary for top level performance? My gut level reaction is that's it overkill for a device that adds 12dB of gain, switches between sources and adjusts the volume level. It's just my opinion.

Up front I `ll admit to being an advocate of free market capitalism. Sellers can set what ever price thay want and the consumer either complies or rejects(for what ever reason).
Grannyring you make some interesting points concerning factors that determine the cost of a product. Where I differ to some degree is the case touted for complexity. Generaliy It seems simpler circuits/designs built to a high standard with superior parts usally sound better(exceptions of course) than their highly complex competitors. While one can marvel at the impressive engineering achievement, many of this uber technical products don`t often past the "natural" sound test i.e. tone and realism of voice and instruments.

I`ve attended numerous audio shows including CES 4 times and have heard many of the praised high power-ultra expensive components and have been rather disappointed. Obviously this is subjective, they can sound very spectacular in an audiophile-hifi realm, but deviate from what natural music really sounds like. The simpler (within reason) circuits tend to sound like the live music I`m used to hearing, organic flow and sheer purity.Ears are good true detectors. Just one humble opinion.

Well it's not necessary if you're not shooting for the very, very best and trying to push SOTA.If using established means and really not pushing the limits is all one wants, then the push for that last vestage of improvement is a waste of time and money.

For others the 10 percent improvement and learning that comes from pushing to see "what if" we took this idea to the limit is a passion and worthy goal.

We all however benefit from the latter with new technology and learnings that result. These SOTA units also make it possible for each of us to decide for ourselves if that small improvement in fidelity is worth it. Without these efforts many of us would wonder "what if" or "what is possible if" and how much better could a stereo sound? We can know by going to a dealer and hearing.