High End Audio-Gaining Higher Ground?

Minorl has it exactly right; as does Wolf re the state of music today. As much as I hate to say it one the biggest obstacles to the success of the High End may be audiophiles ourselves. The cynicism and negativity passing for "reality" as demonstrated so far is amazing. What a bunch of curmudgeons we are. "Snobbery" in the High End? What is more snobbish than being intent on considering oneself part of "a dieing breed". I have been reading and hearing about the death of quality audio for years and it is still here; and it is thriving as far as I can see. I see more manufacturers of quality gear than ever before (noticed how many manufacturers of quality TURNTABLES! we have now?), and in the 40+ years that I have played in this hobby I have never seen so much value offered in spite of the cries that gear is too expensive. Who says we are entitled to have the best? Instead of celebrating the fact that gear that is less than sota is still far better than much of the "best" of 40 years ago, we go around being pissed off that we cant afford the best; not a good perspective imo.

As has been pointed out, there will always be demand for gear that is a cut above. The High End is here to stay.

Actually, PhD, I was in Japan two months ago and was flabbergasted at just how much hip hop culture has influenced pop culture there. It is very obvious in TV programming and commercials and the way young people dress. Rap in Japanese is something to experience :-) In Korea it was even more prevalent.

While it is true that in Asia there is a deep interest in most things American I think the overriding issue (as much as one can fairly generalize about these things) is that the Japanese love quality; not only American quality. The main reason for the soaring price of certain French made vintage musical instruments is the hoarding by Japanese collectors.

Meaning, IMO, that many (operative word) kids today have little and, arguably, insufficient appreciation of one of the most important life lessons: the value of "process". IOW, what it takes to achieve true understanding of and insight into problems and problem solving related to issues, big and small. Many want results NOW without being willing to do the hard work necessary and that may not be obviously and immediately rewarding.

And guess who is to blame? Not just the changing social and cultural landscape, but we the parents who give them too much and don't challenge them enough and let them struggle.

Macrojack and others of a similar opinion. While there is value in being "realistic" in one's outlook on any given subject, sometimes this "realism" is nothing more than cynicism and counterproductive negativity masquerading as pragmatism if one considers all the facts and related issues. In my opinion the topic of this discussion is of a higher order than most as it is linked to something of undeniably great value: music. Call me naive, but music and all that relates to quality production of it is best served by honoring it with a more uplifting and hopeful attitude; in keeping with the purpose of music itself. The pursuit and discussion of quality music reproduction is far more than discussion about the different types of makeup that a cover girl may use as someone cynically suggested in an earlier post. The fact that for some the high-end is only a status symbol is irrelevant. For many of us it is about maximizing what music listening has to offer; even if not necessary. I don't believe that this is a pursuit that will stop having supporters in a substantial way as long as there is quality music being produced by artists; and, if one understands the true nature of art it will be with us as long as we are.

****Just as spirituality existed for centuries before churches co-opted it, so too did music exist for eons before electricity enabled the music industry. The beauty and majesty, the spiritual uplift, that you treasure in your music does not depend on electronic conveyance of a type or quality. It emanates from the human spirit and cannot be suppressed by opinion, data or my presentation of statistical inevitability.****

I cannot disagree with a word of that; very well said. I said the same thing in four words:

".....; even if not necessary."

The rest of your post? I am not so sure; but, thought provoking nonetheless. Thanks for the response and Happy 4th indeed.

I have to disagree. One doesn't need all that makeup to look good; and I wonder what the women here think of that comment. Enhancement? Possibly; depending on the tastefulness of the subject and the eye of the beholder. High end audio, in the true sense of recreating the original event, is not an enhancement; it is the stripping away of the "makeup" in order to get at the natural beauty within.

It is true that one doesn't "need" all the trappings of audiophilia in order to enjoy music. It is also true that many do, in fact, use it as makeup; but, that enhancement (for example: a subwoofer turned up too loud) is a distortion and often detracts from the enjoyment to the ears of an astute listener. While some of these ideas are thought provoking and have some truth in them, I am left with the thought that if, in fact, the highend is dying it is no wonder that it is; and, ironically, it is in part because some audiophiles seem hellbent on taking away from it what is (or can be) a truly noble goal.