How much of an audio snob are you!

[CraigVMN]

Yes, sometimes we can get by with "less", but when it comes to your premier system, the one you've spent years & $ perfecting, and want to show off to others...the system that makes it all worth it

 

[Blue Shadow]

The garage has a three piece plastic Sony boom box type stereo with remote control. All it needs...remote control so I don't have to climb over the cars and junk to use it for tunes. Just so you know I'm not a complete snob. Many have damn fine garage rigs.

The main rig is the best crap I can find to cobble together at low cost of entry, separate tonearms, decent armless tables, LOMC, great preamp and a choice of power amps, well reviewed and good sounding additional inputs and speakers I've known for years, best I can find really cheap...this week Magneplanar Tympani IVa. Main rig cost me only a few hundred as the pre/power and speakers are not mine. I'm storing them long term for the electronics* and a few seasons so far on the speakers. Having been in the hobby for fifty years has allowed me to learn about what gear is good making searching cl a lot easier than having to ask about each piece on ak before going to get it. This has lead to a few very nice pieces.

So I'm a 1-20%er for one system and an 80.99% snob for the other system since cost is a major concern. Other systems are using other gear and I don't concern myself with mixing and matching perfection if it sounds great.

Overall Just need the music to play!!


*long enough to have needed to replace the tubes in the preamp, decades.

 

[orsen]

i have reached the point of diminishing returns for sensible funding at this point in life.
i have some new and some old
the new is good
the old is very good, and affordable
the search is over for now and am thinning the herd, mostly giving away


61-80% I enjoy piecing together gear that sounds good to me at a reasonable price
.
.
.

 

[Splatter Pak]

I'm with Orsen, high-end scrounger that I am.

 

[nj pheonix]

If it sounds good to me it does.
If it doesn't to you, so be it.
I guess that makes me a snob.
I'm sure some here have spent many times what I have.
I'm sure also, I've spent many times what others have.

 

[musichal]

I don't agree with the descriptions regarding what constitutes an audio snob.

 

[reddodge053]

Anything you all like i like

 

[Lavane]

If it sounds good to me it does.
If it doesn't to you, so be it.
I guess that makes me a snob.
I'm sure some here have spent many times what I have.
I'm sure also, I've spent many times what others have.

I don't think that makes you a snob. Its your system. You listen to it more than anyone else. It should sound right to you first.

 

[nj pheonix]

Oddly I think the last 2 categories aren't mutually exclusive.
Sometimes cost is no object doesn't necessarily bring you to sonic nirvana ( not to say it can't, ).
At some point ( at least for me) right is right.
What I'm saying is I have tried somethings more expensive that what I use now , to find its either a lateral move or a step in the wrong direction.
If money were no object ( which it clearly is) I'd surely be tempted to go off into expensive audio tangents.
Realistically, I'm in lock step with Orsen in the 3rd or 4th post

 

[alteclipsch]

The only thing that might make me a snob is that I won't own speakers with foam surrounds. Probably my aversion to materials that are known to decay quickly...I don't feel like a snob though.

 

[donprice]

What does pursuit of quality (as defined by personal preference) have to do with being a snob? I like what I like...my food, my beer, my music, my truck, my electronics, my speakers, and so on. If someone else choses something else...that doesn't make me a snob, it just means that they have made sub-optimal decisions

 

[PPstereo]

Im happy to simply be able to listen to music I like, and hopefully be listening
to it recreated well enough to be enjoyable.

The idea I couldnt enjoy it without it being played back on my best rig or any
system that isnt the best of the best would be a really sad reality. Make the
best of what you have to work with. And cherish the time you get to enjoy it
being played back on a system that is impressive.

Id also take issue with the notion of earbuds being in the 20-40% bracket.
I understand that in the scope of the survey it was likely to convey an Ipod
with ear bud notion. Just Id point out there are incredible in ear monitors
and headphones that ALLOT of "audiophiles" would prefer over any speaker
system. Not everyone feels this way. Understandable. Just as the owner
of some incredible headphone setups I totally understand why many feel thats
all they need. Id agree its an apple and orange comparison. I simply wouldnt
take stance either camp is missing something over the other depending on
their desires.

 

[egellings]

Add a choice in the query that says "home built or restored equipment". I'd check that one.

 

[GChief]

I can enjoy anything, I have realistic expectations as to how it will sound. I picked the first one assuming that’s what it means

Edit: for the main system I am a 61-80% according to “your” numbers.

 

[BOUXY]

I like what I like and if that makes me an Audio Snob so be it!

 

[Sharpstik]

restored equipment". I'd check that one.

Yup. Actually I’m in the 61/80 but bleed into 81/100. So there.

The term “snobbery “ is a braggadocio term . Few boastfuls reside here.

 

[egellings]

It's all a matter of degree. If yours is two 50C5's and a 12AX7, while mine is KT88's, 6SN7's and 6SL7's, who cares? So long as you enjoy what you have.

 

[Oerets]

I have always gone for what sounds good.
Some brands are of course preferred and avoided.

That said have not bought anything new other then headphones and MP3 players for years. So have little experience with new offerings.

 

[rmoreau61]

My idea of a snob is someone who looks down on those they consider beneath them. I think that by definition I can't be a snob because I fall into all but the last category. I would certainly participate in the last category but can't afford it/haven't come across a great find that applies. I enjoy listening to my music via many delivery systems. I no longer own a transistor radio, but I do listen to music from my cell phone from time to time when earbuds aren't convenient. Boom box is good because it's got a dual cassette deck. Home theatre allows for video content. Old stereo setups of various vintages for LP's. I enjoy them all and don't judge others for their favorites.

Where does car audio fit into the pecking order? I enjoy my music in the car as well.

Maybe there's a more appropriate choice of words. I'm not afraid of calling out snobbery, I'm just not sure it applies here.

 

[CraigVMN]

My idea of a snob is someone who looks down on those they consider beneath them. I think that by definition I can't be a snob because I fall into all but the last category. I would certainly participate in the last category but can't afford it/haven't come across a great find that applies. I enjoy listening to my music via many delivery systems. I no longer own a transistor radio, but I do listen to music from my cell phone from time to time when earbuds aren't convenient. Boom box is good because it's got a dual cassette deck. Home theatre allows for video content. Old stereo setups of various vintages for LP's. I enjoy them all and don't judge others for their favorites.

Where does car audio fit into the pecking order? I enjoy my music in the car as well.

Maybe there's a more appropriate choice of words. I'm not afraid of calling out snobbery, I'm just not sure it applies here.

I consider myself to be a snob about certain things, not because I "look down on others" but because my tastes justify the cost of things (to no one but me). Beer for instance - A six pack of the beer I like is $10, which is higher than most, but worth it to me, which makes me snobbish about buying it. I brew my own coffee because I can control the flavor by the type I buy, how much I use and the natural paper filter I use. I also cook my own meals so I can control what I am eating.

If I had the funding, I would have more expensive audio gear than I do. However, I also firmly believe there is a reasonable threshold for money spent on any component. I would NOT buy the most expensive _____ just to brag about how much I spent. IMO no pair of speakers is worth more than $1500, no cable is worth more than $50...etc. But I do have certain criteria and expectations from my system, and I would never settle for mere MP3 playback, nor what I consider to be inferior products, which makes me a snob.