The History of High End Audio

[Gregadd]

How do you remember it?


The other important trend in the 60's was brought on by the usurpation of the role of the vacuum tube by the transistor. Japanese hifi firms hadn't seen much success with their tube-based designs in the early 60's.But with the advent of the transistor Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Sherwood, Kenwood, and Sansui, all entered the US market with products whose specifications far exceeded those of US-made tube-based components. Of course 20-20 hindsight shows that these specifications used THD or total harmonic distortion figures rather than breaking down the harmonic distortion into 1st, 2nd, 3d, and 4th order harmonics. If they had, audiophiles would have seen how the distortion characteristics of early transistors were much worse at higher odd-order harmonics than tubes. Many audiophiles switched from tube electronics to solid-state electronics and discovered that the sonic results weren't a step up in quality or enjoyment.



- See more at: http://audiophilereview.com/the-history-of-high-end-audio.html#sthash.1ANHVcGS.dpuf

 

[Gregadd]

There is also a book for electronics. Is that pair of Q7 a review sample, long term loan or reviewer owned?

 

[amirm]

Seems like a great book. How much is it and does anyone own it?

 

[amirm]

Never mind. It is $130 for each book. Tempting....

 

[Andre Marc]

Never mind. It is $130 for each book. Tempting....

Tempting? Hardly.

 

[Andre Marc]

There is also a book for electronics. Is that pair of Q7 a review sample, long term loan or reviewer owned?

Loan. Robert Harley does not even own a power cord.

 

[amirm]

Tempting? Hardly.

Have you read it?

 

[Andre Marc]

Have you read it?

I was referring to the price. I would much rather buy 10 downloads or CDs.

 

[Gregadd]

If If you get both volumes you can make your Q5 sound like a Q7. It soaks up extraneous resonances.

 

[Andre Marc]

If If you get both volumes you can make your Q5 sound like a Q7. It soaks up extraneous resonances.

Cheaper than Stillpoints or Symposium?

 

[sujay]

Actually, jokes(and price) aside, the book ain't bad. I bought volume 1 out of sheer curiosity and no real regrets. It makes for a nice coffee table book - well edited, laid out and illustrated. While I don't have a reference point for content as regards history, I found it very comprehensive.....follows key eras, inflection points, manufacturers and has a few incisive interviews thrown in for good measure. Overall, not a bad purchase at all for someone like me to understand the evolution of hi-end audio.
Can't comment on price really.....personal value judgement! I really don't have any prejudice against anyone who bought a 100k DAC

 

[taters]

Loan. Robert Harley does not even own a power cord.

Why own anything when you can just borrow it.

 

[amirm]

Actually, jokes(and price) aside, the book ain't bad. I bought volume 1 out of sheer curiosity and no real regrets. It makes for a nice coffee table book - well edited, laid out and illustrated. While I don't have a reference point for content as regards history, I found it very comprehensive.....follows key eras, inflection points, manufacturers and has a few incisive interviews thrown in for good measure. Overall, not a bad purchase at all for someone like me to understand the evolution of hi-end audio.
Can't comment on price really.....personal value judgement! I really don't have any prejudice against anyone who bought a 100k DAC

Thanks. That is how I was looking at it. That said, Andre's point regarding buying 10 albums instead holds true too .

 

[sujay]

Thanks. That is how I was looking at it. That said, Andre's point regarding buying 10 albums instead holds true too .

Couldn't agree more.....(-:

 

[slowGEEZR]

I have it and it is a good read and a good reference. It is very heavy, though!