HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Why do people think more is better = more cost, more complexity, more components, more bling, more hi-fi, more ego, more marketing bullshit = more stupidity and less music.

Greater dissatisfaction.

Just to be sure, are more power supplies for the phono 3 better or worst?

Are bigger transformers better or worst?

It's the same in photography and with photographs. The biggest mistake amateurs make is to equate more kit with better pictures when what matters is between the ears. Similarly, a photograph with competing elements and an attempt to 'fit it all in' is often a confusing mess. The key word is SIMPLICITY. As soon as you complicate it, you fail to focus (literally) on the important bits.

The problem with a lot of modern kit is the desire to make it into a computer. Software control and chips that go out of date and then cannot be replaced. Expensive built in obsolescence. Also people appear to be impressed by how it looks. Drooling over £4K Japanese amp with large metres that is known to shut itself down with no apparent way of unlocking itself. Kit is designed to look expensive rather than sound expensive. Balanced connectors are the latest fad on even mid range kit. Extra cost for no real benefit and taking up room for more useful extra connections.

Good point. Exceptions always prove the rule Nick. Power supplies are something that bigger and more pays off musically.

BUT power supplies are not in the music path, that was my main point, what sits in the way of the music. Comment stimulated by that Norwegian thing posted about tonight.

Dr Bunsen Honeydew wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:44 pm Good point. Exceptions always prove the rule Nick. Power supplies are something that bigger and more pays off musically.

BUT power supplies are not in the music path, that was my main point, what sits in the way of the music. Comment stimulated by that Norwegian thing posted about tonight.

Unlike camera lenses in photography where big zoom lenses with loads of elements slice and dice the image before putting it all back together with loss of tonality, acuity and colour accuracy compared with simple low element count prime lenses.

There is marketing and bullshit in abundance...because it works on most people, most of the time. The complexity that is unnecessary for the music is required for the marketing, which the maker believes is required for selling their product. The world is full of things we don't need, but we believe we should want, as a direct result.

As 'Classic' says, many people will 'turn on' to kit based on how it looks. The gallery threads on PFM are largely a hifi-bling 'wankfest' to justify their paying fortunes for high end kit; devoid of practical advice and learning or any joy of actually listening to music. In stage-managing their photos to be perfectly lit and composed...they are marketing the bullshit back to themselves. You've got to admire the completeness of it, really.

Are you a jobbing tog Simon? Enthusiast?

The interesting thing with photography is that some of the most emotionally satisfying pics are technically naff, lots are black and white. Do we understand that attraction.

Dr Bunsen Honeydew wrote: ↑Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:24 am The interesting thing with photography is that some of the most emotionally satisfying pics are technically naff, lots are black and white. Do we understand that attraction.

That's a comment on the production of the art rather than the reproduction of it. Some of my favourite LPs are (considered by most to be) pretty 'lo-fi' but the emotional engagement is still there (on a musical system).