The bifurcation of "high end" audio -- a vindication for DIY

[wiseoldtech]

I think the same about modern cars; the old ones can be fixed at home, but keeping a modern car going in 10 years time could be difficult, with all those chips and sensors to go wrong.

My first car, when I started getting paychecks, was a 1972 Chevy Nova in Midnight Bronze Metallic, and so easy to maintain, and reliable.
I miss that vehicle.

 

[SomekPoland]

Hi-End is, for me, defined by sound (duh), build quality and service. It is a luxury thing, no doubt about that. Always has been. There are some great examples of what Hi-End should be: Accuphase, Sony ES series, Rockport speakers and others. Those are companies that for me fulfilled the qualities. Okay, maybe Sony not at customer service, but you get the idea.
There are also companies that are completely crap like Ayon, which is built in China and breaks more often than not.

Some things are possible to DIY, and some are not.

 

[picowallspeaker]

Agreed!
I picked up a few years back a cometically perfect Harman Kardon 330A, with the optional wood enclosure.
I had one like it back in the 1970's till the 80's.
Not a high-powered monster by any means, yet it performs like an expensive receiver... smooth, rich, clear sound.
Easily driving a pair of Full Size speakers.

Don't know what a full size speaker means, just to say that I had a friend who had a similar receiver, a rare (?) Sherwood that performed similarly.
Before pluggin' It in, I made a bulb test !
Rare..

 

[wiseoldtech]

@picowallspeaker
The Full Size speakers I was talking about are 2 or 3-ways with 8 or 10 inch, or even 12 inch woofers.
Like the Advents, Dynaco's, etc.
Even my tall 3-way floor-standing Advent Maestros sound lovely when hooked up to that 330A.

 

[picowallspeaker]

Oh, I suspected It, Just a tease to you americans..!

 

[picowallspeaker]

My First new speakers we're Infinity rs5000...go figure! Public Enemy and Beastie Boys

 

[picowallspeaker]

Even my tall 3-way floor-standing Advent Maestro's sound lovely when hooked up to that 330A.

Whoah! I was searching for those Advent Maestro' and I stumbled upon the Classic Speaker Pages Discussion Forum.
You americans are crazy! But fun...I enjoy reading this
"After about a month moved to XLR for the very first time since the SU8 had the outs and the Krell had the ins.
BOOM!!!!
Now this baby kicks like I have wanted to hear! "

Now, i don't run balanced...
Must I feel not-boomy ?!

 

[picowallspeaker]

Ok, I don't have a sub, system runs 'unbalanced', my woofers are smaller than 7", but, ehi! I am audiophile!!

 

[limono]

Nuforce line , just 10 years old and although not very expensive it wasn't cheap. The parent company folded the business and fired all the people from audio branch. No one to have any info on their products. The lady I talked to was surprised that anyone would consider repair of obsolete 10 years old equipment. I'm just a dinosaur in this world.