My point was:
Some things you have to purchase.
No choice.
Other things you want to purchase.
Your choice.
Unfortunately some people do not understand the difference, which is why I used the health insurance example.
Some things you have to purchase.
No choice.
Other things you want to purchase.
Your choice.
Unfortunately some people do not understand the difference, which is why I used the health insurance example.
Just an FYI - You can get a really damned good knife, hand made by a Japanese smith (descendant of Samurai sword-smiths), for $50-$70. I can't imagine anyone needing a better/sharper knife for cooking.
But, as you say - who are we to judge the person who spends $1000?
Completely OT, but, that, I'd really love to see. Any link ?
The entry level Japanese knife I know are rather at the 200€ mark (for mass produced, decent quality brands).
I purchased a $36 bread knife at Uwajimya food stores.
The quality of that Japanese knife is like no other that I have seen for that price.
I also sometimes subscribe to the Japanese MJ Audio magazine at the Kinokuniya bookstore inside that market.
The quality of that Japanese knife is like no other that I have seen for that price.
I also sometimes subscribe to the Japanese MJ Audio magazine at the Kinokuniya bookstore inside that market.
When I need a laugh during the day I read this thread. 😀
Bottom line is we live in a free market. If Joe Schmoe wants to pay $10K for a power cable and has the means to do so, more power to him (no pun intended). It is his prerogative. Even if the psycho-acoustic effects are at play and it sounds better to him, at least he feels good about his purchase and is sitting down enjoying his music even more so now.
I however, do not have the means for $10K power cables. But, I am about to swap out my perfectly good Rega Apollo-R for a Pro-Ject CD Box DS2T just for the walnut sides so it matches my DIY tube amp and preamp. OCD, maybe? So what? It is my money and when I listen to my music, I want to look at a matching system of rich walnut that also makes me smile.
As far as tubes being a fad, maybe your old ears have lost some frequency response ... LOL! I can clearly hear the difference between tube and solid state. Do I measure it with a spectrum analyzer for FR and an audio analyzer for THD? No. I listen with my ears. When a singer gives me goosebumps, it sounds good. Why would I put a piece of equipment in my system that does not give me goosebumps over one that does simply because of a chart someone posted on the internet or a recommendation from a magazine? Through the trials and tribulations of DIY, I have come to find I am very fond of the "sound" of Class-A and even harmonics. It is MY system and I will decide what sounds good to me and how much I am comfortable paying for it. You nor anyone else here will dissuade me otherwise.
I used to run sound for bands, bars, concerts, etc. I know what the attack and decay of a cymbal sounds like. I recognize the natural reverb of a recording in a small quaint club. When I can get that same "sound" in my home through a reproduction system, I am a happy dude! We all have our own "nirvana" and we are on this forum to strive for that. Each with our own cost allowances and ulterior motives.
I see a lot of your posts belittling people and your steadfast mindset and as I said when I opened this post, it puts a smile on my face and brightens my day. 😛
Now sit back, grab your favorite beverage, turn up the volume and enjoy!
Bottom line is we live in a free market. If Joe Schmoe wants to pay $10K for a power cable and has the means to do so, more power to him (no pun intended). It is his prerogative. Even if the psycho-acoustic effects are at play and it sounds better to him, at least he feels good about his purchase and is sitting down enjoying his music even more so now.
I however, do not have the means for $10K power cables. But, I am about to swap out my perfectly good Rega Apollo-R for a Pro-Ject CD Box DS2T just for the walnut sides so it matches my DIY tube amp and preamp. OCD, maybe? So what? It is my money and when I listen to my music, I want to look at a matching system of rich walnut that also makes me smile.
As far as tubes being a fad, maybe your old ears have lost some frequency response ... LOL! I can clearly hear the difference between tube and solid state. Do I measure it with a spectrum analyzer for FR and an audio analyzer for THD? No. I listen with my ears. When a singer gives me goosebumps, it sounds good. Why would I put a piece of equipment in my system that does not give me goosebumps over one that does simply because of a chart someone posted on the internet or a recommendation from a magazine? Through the trials and tribulations of DIY, I have come to find I am very fond of the "sound" of Class-A and even harmonics. It is MY system and I will decide what sounds good to me and how much I am comfortable paying for it. You nor anyone else here will dissuade me otherwise.
I used to run sound for bands, bars, concerts, etc. I know what the attack and decay of a cymbal sounds like. I recognize the natural reverb of a recording in a small quaint club. When I can get that same "sound" in my home through a reproduction system, I am a happy dude! We all have our own "nirvana" and we are on this forum to strive for that. Each with our own cost allowances and ulterior motives.
I see a lot of your posts belittling people and your steadfast mindset and as I said when I opened this post, it puts a smile on my face and brightens my day. 😛
Now sit back, grab your favorite beverage, turn up the volume and enjoy!
+1
wiseoldtech seems to be butthurt by that particular manufacturer, for some mystery reason or another.
I would love to know the true history behind that unjustified hate.
I bought my first decent set of knives a decade ago. Everything I'd owned for the decade before were hand me downs from my mother. I chose what I considered to be mid range in Debenhams, £80 knife block set, reduced to £50 damaged box, but the knives have a wonderful balance.
The £8 ceramic stays sharper though, and makes some tasks laughably easy.
For upwards of £100 for a single knife, it would have to be made of Obsidian, or similarly quirky, for me to find any interest in it.
On the other side of the fence I just prepped dinner with the 1940s Russell Green Works 10" butcher I restored after finding it heavily rusted and still sharp in a wet tool shed. Carbon steel, the vacuum tube of knives..
Let’s cut to the chase. Let’s use Jan Didden (appologies to you Jan) as an example. Jan did some designs and testing.
1. If Jan designs a new cable, circuit or gadget, and honestly measures it according to scientific practice, and conclude it is wonderful, he should be able to sell it without prejudice. I think that is what Jan does. Many hear it, some don’t. No snake-oil, but “your mileage may differ”.
2. If Jan designs a new cable or gadget believing in its merit and does so using “non-scientifiic” approaches, especially measuring it (or not) in known scientific ways, that should be clearly noted in commercialization. Then the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and bless those who love it. These are the majority of the snake oils mentioned above. In my view that is not Jan’s, of coarse.
3. If Jan designs a new “something” and markets it with psuedo scientific mumbo-jumbo, knowing that is not scientific, that is clearly in snake-oil territory. Our Jan obviously doesn’t do this. However, many people do, so watch out.
1. If Jan designs a new cable, circuit or gadget, and honestly measures it according to scientific practice, and conclude it is wonderful, he should be able to sell it without prejudice. I think that is what Jan does. Many hear it, some don’t. No snake-oil, but “your mileage may differ”.
2. If Jan designs a new cable or gadget believing in its merit and does so using “non-scientifiic” approaches, especially measuring it (or not) in known scientific ways, that should be clearly noted in commercialization. Then the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and bless those who love it. These are the majority of the snake oils mentioned above. In my view that is not Jan’s, of coarse.
3. If Jan designs a new “something” and markets it with psuedo scientific mumbo-jumbo, knowing that is not scientific, that is clearly in snake-oil territory. Our Jan obviously doesn’t do this. However, many people do, so watch out.
I bought all of mine directly from the source (Kanmera Blacksmith) in my wife's home town. I guess if you needed it shipped somewhere it might be more like $100.
Some semi-legible info Hand-kneaded knife Kanmera smithy | Must-see-japan Yunomae-machi (Japanese sightseeing promotion association) of the whole country
There are places like this all over Japan. Excellent hand-crafted goods that are affordable to the common person.
That's what I'm talking about:
These things make carrots feel like boiled potatos, and I often find sliced seeds when I cut tomatoes.
The first time I used one, the hair stood up on the back of my neck and I am sure my expression must have been hilarious. We've got a block set of Henckels "double-man" and they are a joke in comparison.
The hunting knives (mine are different from the ones shown) take hide off with basically no effort.
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@cogitech: sadly the website of the smith is down 🙁 The ability of buying direct for sure removes a lot of the costs.
You forgot to factor your own time in. Unless you just copied the TI app note...
Yeah someone (TdP) whose company has been building tube products since 1976 is just servicing a fad.
I hate to think what you would say about the DIYAudio silent switcher. I mean $80 for a +/-15V power supply! I can see your blood pressure going up from here. And no you couldn't do better for the money.
You forgot the 11 emails you have to exchange with the client. Online customers can be very irrational. I wouldn't do it... a second time...
2 and 3 won't happen, because that's not who I am.
BUT I will not look down at anyone who does 2. You can make a lot of people happy with creating beautiful things for them. Do you know there's people who pays € 100,000,000 for a piece of canvas covered with some paint blobs??
Wiseoldtech must get a heart attack from that ;-)
Jan
No, sorry.
It's more like justafiable disgust.
Being in the audio business for decades, I've seen the "changes", many of which today are foolish and misleading to others without the background that I have.
It's obvious that a lot of people on here simply don't understand where I'm coming from, refuse to understand, or are just attempting to bait me, I dunno, nor do I care.
And endless typing across the internet isn't the best way to convey things anyway. 😉
On another note, after decades of servicing and guiding customers in audio/video, I've amassed many compliments and gained a five star rating on some websites.
I don't seem to get "internet flack" from any of them....... why is that?
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I'm inclined to agree that the snake oil has got more extreme and it's quite conceivable that it's largely due to the ease with which things can be put out there due to the internet and a general dumbing down in the consumer market.
Price and value are (and always have been) two different things.
Value, however, is completely subjective to the buyer.
What is important to you and what is important to others is not the same. Let the $50,000.00 speaker cables exist. Those who buy them perceive value in them.
“A fool and his money” and all that...
Value, however, is completely subjective to the buyer.
What is important to you and what is important to others is not the same. Let the $50,000.00 speaker cables exist. Those who buy them perceive value in them.
“A fool and his money” and all that...