So much discussion on "just because you can hear it, doesnt means it's so" and "I cant believe people spend good money on this".
I have to ask; has anyone made a successful audio purchase based solely on another person's stated perceptions?
This means you did NOT go listen to it first. You bought hearing-unheard.
For me, I've had it work out both ways; I've bought because I read someone said it was good, and it was good to me. I've bought because someone else - "well, that's what that guy uses" - and it didnt work out for me.
I'd like to read about such trials and tribulations. Please share here. Thanks!
I have to ask; has anyone made a successful audio purchase based solely on another person's stated perceptions?
This means you did NOT go listen to it first. You bought hearing-unheard.
For me, I've had it work out both ways; I've bought because I read someone said it was good, and it was good to me. I've bought because someone else - "well, that's what that guy uses" - and it didnt work out for me.
I'd like to read about such trials and tribulations. Please share here. Thanks!
"You bought hearing-unheard."Lots of times, very happy, based on specs and some measurements.
No.
Yes, plenty. One of my first DIY purchases was a gainclone kit which Is still have. Jordan JX92s drivers about 20-ish years ago. I'm still using them every day (until someone wants to buy them off me). I also bought a few cheap TPA3116 boards some time ago, not having a whole lot of faith in them, but it turns out that one of them is actually pretty good. For the price I would call it excellent. Plenty good enough for movies and such. The other one though is complete crap. I've bought a few duds as well over the years like the Amp6 kit. I still don't understand why so many people thought it was a good amp. I had two and they both sounded horrible.
One purchase I made without hearing it first was the Aune T1. Based solely on read reviews and seeing / sensing the energy people were putting out around that particular DAC box.
A purchase I'm actually happy with - now if I can only figure out WHY it sounds as good as it does - to me.
A purchase I'm actually happy with - now if I can only figure out WHY it sounds as good as it does - to me.
Inexpensive Topping DX7s bought as an expedient as I started experimenting with streaming audio. Purchased entirely based on an objective technical review on audio science review.
It sucks, no actually it's surprisingly more than OK at least through the balanced outputs which are all I will use. It's sound quality so far has proven to be significantly better than the Sony HAP the streaming set up replaced. (Roon) It's so OK I think I will keep it. 😀
The rest of the streaming set up pretty much the same blind deal: Allo Usbridge Signature, and Shanti.
Worked out really well overall, not going to look back.
It sucks, no actually it's surprisingly more than OK at least through the balanced outputs which are all I will use. It's sound quality so far has proven to be significantly better than the Sony HAP the streaming set up replaced. (Roon) It's so OK I think I will keep it. 😀
The rest of the streaming set up pretty much the same blind deal: Allo Usbridge Signature, and Shanti.
Worked out really well overall, not going to look back.
I bought my first MC2 Audio amp purely on spec and reputation of the designers.
Quickly bought 2 more.
Quickly bought 2 more.
My first pair of headphones - Superlux HD688B and my most recently purchased pair (HD6XX) both bought online without listening first. Very happy with both. The headphones I bought in between, I did audition in the shops and I don't use as much as these two.
Similarly, Superlux HD-681 Evo BK. I struggle to think I'd need anything better.
Loads of Class D boards, TPA3116, TPA3118, TPA325*, TDA7498E, (TDA7377; not Class D), IcePower 50ASX; some good/excellent, some duds, but everyone a lesson!
Oh, and quite a selection of RaspberryPi DACs.
There is no way I would rely on someone else's experience.
Different people have different tastes.
Different people have different tastes.
Yes - Hypex nC400+SMPS600 x 2 for mono-blocks. Based mainly on specs but also div testaments on the web.
Wonderfully neutral. Just gain - no sound. Love them.
//
Wonderfully neutral. Just gain - no sound. Love them.
//
I have..... Twice in the last couple of years.
First, my best cartridge so far, the Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation. Delivered all, that different reviewers promised.
Second, my present preamp, Vincent SA-T7. Only read one review from a guy, who´s listening experience I´m quite familiar with. Again, gathered from the review that it would be perfect for my setup.... and it was 🙂
Three things for me. The biggest gamble was a Marantz Pearl-Lite SA-CD player in 2011 as I recall and which I'm still using today. Its been faultless and I've been extremely pleased with it. The other have been a Sony Minidisc recorder and Pure DAB tuner, both of which are still in use.
Speakers on the other hand were a half days job listening to the contenders.
Speakers on the other hand were a half days job listening to the contenders.
Don't know what happened there but replies have been really slow going through at times... and those are the ones that seem to self duplicate.
I shall delete it 🙂
I shall delete it 🙂
Had the same experience with the post, I just made...
Came back to the post I´d just written, but waited to see if it really was posted before "send again".... and it was 🙂
Came back to the post I´d just written, but waited to see if it really was posted before "send again".... and it was 🙂
Yes. But in every case the purchase price was low enough (say, below ~ 300 USD) that I wouldn't be disgusted and furious if I discovered the gear didn't please me.
A few of my successful audio purchases based solely on another person's stated perceptions
- ELAC B5 Debut series 5.25" bookshelf speakers designed by Andrew Jones
- Music Hall Marimba speakers
- Dayton Audio B652 speakers, great performance per dollar, recommended here on diyAudio by member Nelson Pass
- Objective-2 headphone amplifier
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface
Quite a few:
- Cambridge CXA80 (which I use for my HiFi daily)
- Behringer UMC202HD and UMC404, although I did seek out measurements for both
- My QSC TouchMix desks (16 and 30Pro), although I did play around with the app for a few months before going ahead with the purchase
- The Seas 8" aluminium midbass drivers I use in my HiFi
- A load of PA speakers, which were often bought on manufacturer reputation as well as positive reviews online
- Most of my microphones, although there are often samples online
The things I did take the time to audition were my set of Powersoft T-series amplifiers. 1x T604 (main speakers, bi-amped), 1x T602 (subs), 1x T304 (monitors)
Chris
- Cambridge CXA80 (which I use for my HiFi daily)
- Behringer UMC202HD and UMC404, although I did seek out measurements for both
- My QSC TouchMix desks (16 and 30Pro), although I did play around with the app for a few months before going ahead with the purchase
- The Seas 8" aluminium midbass drivers I use in my HiFi
- A load of PA speakers, which were often bought on manufacturer reputation as well as positive reviews online
- Most of my microphones, although there are often samples online
The things I did take the time to audition were my set of Powersoft T-series amplifiers. 1x T604 (main speakers, bi-amped), 1x T602 (subs), 1x T304 (monitors)
Chris
