Whats the future of hi fi Equipment?

[Tom Brennan]

You're right, an HT for $2K "can provide decent sound" not Hi-Fi.

I think you paint with too broad a brush, that you're not allowing for possibilities. I've heard hi-fi from fairly inexpensive Denon, Panasonic and JVC HT receivers and inexpensive speakers such as KRKs, small B&Ws and DIY single drivers.

 

[zebra03]

I think we can agree , we are all here because of music and the equipment that helps us to enjoy it . Why it makes a bit of difference whether it is new or vintage is beyond me .

 

[michaelhigh]

The future of hi fi equipment?

Audiophiles will buy stereos, and convenience lovers will listen to their phones.

 

[Vintagear]

Not all. It was, and still is, typically Japanese brands and mid-fi market gear that has always had inflated MSRPs that were never the real "street prices".

As an example, the Yamaha A-S1000's MSRP is $1799.95. Typical street price is $1299.95.

I have never seen a post where someone here mentions the inflation adjusted price of old gear and does not use the MSRP. Not once, ever.

They will say: "Back in 1977 brand X model Y would cost you (insert MSRP) which today is the equivalent of $ 2,000 but I can get a Yamaha A-S1000 for $1,299. IMO, they can't have it both ways.

Unfortunately, there is no directory that allows us to easily look-up the true "street price" of an audio item purchased years ago. Anyone who was not there or does not remember what they paid will use the MSRP for the old product but the "street price" for the new product. For example, A Sansui AU-20000 retailed for $1,000 back in 1977. Most here would say "Well that's $3,900 in today's dollars.." and then compare it to what a $3.9K "street price" can get them today. In fact, what they should be doing is using the "street price" of the 1977 unit which is harder to determine. I can show you a receipt for a brand new AU-20000 purchased in 1977 for $654 which is about the equivalent of $2.5K.

There's a big difference between what $2.5K and $3.9K can get you today. We should fair when we inflation adjust prices of yesterday.

 

[RamblinE]

How hard can it be to build an HT that strikes a superb balance between 5-7.1 and two channel or 2.1? It's not like processors, amps and speakers are one trick ponies, one or the other. I'm sure somebody can build a system that excels at both if that is where their interests lie.

Maybe someday I'll try.

 

[trhee]

That's fair. I believe people should be using MSRP both ways to make the comparisons fair.

In any case, I still stand by my thought that there is no better time for purchasing new gear than right now in terms of cost and sound quality.

I have never seen a post where someone here mentions the inflation adjusted price of old gear and does not use the MSRP. Not once, ever.

They will say: "Back in 1977 brand X model Y would cost you (insert MSRP) which today is the equivalent of $ 2,000 but I can get a Yamaha A-S1000 for $1,299. IMO, they can't have it both ways.

Unfortunately, there is no directory that allows us to easily look-up the true "street price" of an audio item purchased years ago. Anyone who was not there or does not remember what they paid will use the MSRP for the old product but the "street price" for the new product. For example, A Sansui AU-20000 retailed for $1,000 back in 1977. Most here would say "Well that's $3,900 in today's dollars.." and then compare it to what a $3.9K "street price" can get them today. In fact, what they should be doing is using the "street price" of the 1977 unit which is harder to determine. I can show you a receipt for a brand new AU-20000 purchased in 1977 for $654 which is about the equivalent of $2.5K.

There's a big difference between what $2.5K and $3.9K can get you today. We should fair when we inflation adjust prices of yesterday.

 

[JoeESP9]

How hard can it be to build an HT that strikes a superb balance between 5-7.1 and two channel or 2.1? It's not like processors, amps and speakers are one trick ponies, one or the other. I'm sure somebody can build a system that excels at both if that is where their interests lie.

Maybe someday I'll try.

I have more than once posted that what you say is not all that difficult to do. It does however usually require separates to easily accomplish it. You start with a "good" two channel system and add surround/MC capability to it by using a separate surround/MC processor and the necessary rear/side speakers and amplifiers. If you use timbre matched side/surround speakers you now have a surround system with little to no compromising. You also still have the dedicated two channel system you started with.

You can access either at the flick of a switch or two.

 

[RamblinE]

That works for me as switching back to integrated components would be a complete devolution in my audio journey.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Vintagear]

That's fair. I believe people should be using MSRP both ways to make the comparisons fair.

That would be nice but the problem is that while yesterday's "street price" is elusive, todays MSRP is not always apparent especially with the demise of brick & mortar stores. Both MusicDirect and Crutchfield show that Yamaha you mentioned at the street price. Sure you can dig and find the retail price but who cares, you already know what the bottom line price is. It's been pre-haggled for you. In the old day's they would start with the MSRP and you would haggle down whereas today the discounted price is pre-set and that's what you get. Rarely can or does anyone haggle, especially when you purchase online and can't. You pay the price or move on.

Today most audio consumers only know street price so I don't have confidence that future inflation adjusted comparisons will be fair.

In any case, I still stand by my thought that there is no better time for purchasing new gear than right now in terms of cost and sound quality.

I'll give you that (especially with <$1K speakers) but line blurs when it comes to amplification. At least in my eyes.

 

[tubed]

I think we can set the bar a little higher...

Yes, it was a tad low,
but seemed a fair enough place to start

 

[SimplyStereo]

While I find it a little depressing that real audio stores are going the way of the dinosaurs I still think we are living in the best time to purchase audio. No more dealing with snobby commission driven salesmen with questionable expertise. And having trust that you're getting the best deal. Now I can read reviews by actual people, research prices and audition in my own home. Every component in my main system was purchased online. I always try to shop local but poor service, poor selection and poor pricing have driven me elsewhere.

 

[kirk57]

I have never seen a post where someone here mentions the inflation adjusted price of old gear and does not use the MSRP. Not once, ever.

They will say: "Back in 1977 brand X model Y would cost you (insert MSRP) which today is the equivalent of $ 2,000 but I can get a Yamaha A-S1000 for $1,299. IMO, they can't have it both ways.

Unfortunately, there is no directory that allows us to easily look-up the true "street price" of an audio item purchased years ago. Anyone who was not there or does not remember what they paid will use the MSRP for the old product but the "street price" for the new product. For example, A Sansui AU-20000 retailed for $1,000 back in 1977. Most here would say "Well that's $3,900 in today's dollars.." and then compare it to what a $3.9K "street price" can get them today. In fact, what they should be doing is using the "street price" of the 1977 unit which is harder to determine. I can show you a receipt for a brand new AU-20000 purchased in 1977 for $654 which is about the equivalent of $2.5K.

There's a big difference between what $2.5K and $3.9K can get you today. We should fair when we inflation adjust prices of yesterday.

While hardly comprehensive, I have several Consumer Reports Guide to Stereo Equipment from the 70s and they list street price for hundreds of pieces of gear in the back.

 

[for_p1]

How hard can it be to build an HT that strikes a superb balance between 5-7.1 and two channel or 2.1? It's not like processors, amps and speakers are one trick ponies, one or the other. I'm sure somebody can build a system that excels at both if that is where their interests lie.

Maybe someday I'll try.

Not hard at all. You just should avoid "packaged" solutions. If you get 2.1 setup right, the rest of HT is just more speakers. You can even get away with top model receiver instead of separate processor, by adding separate power amp for front speakers only.