Well I agree that this is the Golden Age of Audio but for none of the reasons listed in the article. First, gear is just getting better and second, we have so many options for finding new music and artists.
It absolutely is the Golden Age. Except for 70s when I got my first HiFi system, this is the most happy I have been with this hobby. Computer audio and portability of music (streaming and otherwise) is the biggest factor for me. We are fortunate to be living during this era.
If Charles Dickens were alive he would say "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" for audio.
Lee, you forgot to mention in the social networking "thing" the largest social network... youtube. In fact, youtube is largest "distributor" of music in the world today. Youtube reaches outside of established audio networks due to "serve ups" and right column suggested videos; magazines, forums, ezines, and facebook likes have defined user populations.
It was a nice article
Lee,
I agree that in some ways this is the golden age of audio. It is an amazing time for the sound quality of the gear being manufactured. There are more quality products today than there ever have been.
That is the good news however there is much more bad news in my opinion.
I believe that the lack of business acumen is going to lead to the death of audio as we knew it and perhaps the entire industry.
The business model to actually sell audio and service the audio customer has eroded to the point that it is no longer a viable business model for most dealers.
The dealers are making money as contractors, integrators and service providers however the money is not being made, particularly in the USA , on the sale of audio components.
The consumers may benefit as far as price is concerned by the internet, its certainly a good time to be a reviewer with the never ending line up of expensive toys to play with for free, however there are less quality stores and the stores there are moving away from audio because it is not a viable business model.
The costs of running a high end store dont make sense at any level.
I think the whole bubble will totally burst in the next decade.
This may turn out good for mail order sales but I don think this never ending production of high end products can continue.
I think enjoy it now for the end of the golden age is surely coming.
The economic indicators on almost all the new technologies are not good.
The public really doesn't care and the "audiophile" community is aged and loosing its desire and economic ability to support this escalating price rise.
If you ask most manufacturers and dealers whats really happening the Pollyanna show babble disappears and the sharp edge of reality comes through.
The golden age of Audio was in the 70's, along with the decade of great music and the ability to enjoy and have fun with it.
Just my opinion.....Sadly it has disappeared
Out... Peace
Lee,
I agree that in some ways this is the golden age of audio. It is an amazing time for the sound quality of the gear being manufactured. There are more quality products today than there ever have been.
That is the good news however there is much more bad news in my opinion.
I believe that the lack of business acumen is going to lead to the death of audio as we knew it and perhaps the entire industry.
The business model to actually sell audio and service the audio customer has eroded to the point that it is no longer a viable business model for most dealers.
The dealers are making money as contractors, integrators and service providers however the money is not being made, particularly in the USA , on the sale of audio components.
The consumers may benefit as far as price is concerned by the internet, its certainly a good time to be a reviewer with the never ending line up of expensive toys to play with for free, however there are less quality stores and the stores there are moving away from audio because it is not a viable business model.
The costs of running a high end store dont make sense at any level.
I think the whole bubble will totally burst in the next decade.
This may turn out good for mail order sales but I don think this never ending production of high end products can continue.
I think enjoy it now for the end of the golden age is surely coming.
The economic indicators on almost all the new technologies are not good.
The public really doesn't care and the "audiophile" community is aged and loosing its desire and economic ability to support this escalating price rise.
If you ask most manufacturers and dealers whats really happening the Pollyanna show babble disappears and the sharp edge of reality comes through.
The golden age of Audio was in the 70's, along with the decade of great music and the ability to enjoy and have fun with it.
Just my opinion.....Sadly it has disappeared
Out... Peace
We are in a golden age because so much good vintage equipment is still available for fairly low cost. Or maybe that is my nostalgia kicking in.
We are in a golden age because so much good vintage equipment is still available for fairly low cost. Or maybe that is my nostalgia kicking in.
For many of us, there is no "reaching" for those magazine reviewed $10-20-30 thousand dollar pieces. There is only 5-10+ year old trickle down's that used to be state of the art in their prime. The good news is that many of them are still damn fine pieces of equipment for 50% or less than their original cost. Taking audio inflation into account, that's likely a 70% discount over a currently produced similar brand new piece for sale.
Nostalgia or golden age of used equipment for sale?
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