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Guilty pleasures

Paul's Posts — 23 August 2011

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Guilty pleasures

Sometimes owning a high-end audio system can be a challenge – and I don’t mean technically.

I can’t tell you the number of times I have been asked to keep mum about the cost of a new component purchase from a prospective buyer.  Seems other family members aren’t always as interested in the system as we might be.

I’ve been handed money for new equipment in dark, out of the way corners, asked to keep quiet about transactions and all the time I have a big smile on my face.  I understand, believe me.  icon smile Guilty pleasures

But here’s something interesting: it isn’t the same all over the world.

In Asia, for example, the hifi system is many time the center piece of the home; a source of pride for the entire family.  And in the US, I’ve seen home theater systems that are also the pride and joy of the family, but less so for high-end two channel systems.  I wonder why that is?

It might be instructive for us to spark a debate to see if your experiences match mine and, if so, what we could do to change that.

It would be worth changing.

Tomorrow: How solid is your foundation?

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About Author

Paul McGowan

Paul McGowan is the CEO and co-founder of PS Audio Inc. a Boulder Colorado design and manufacturing company of high-end audio products and services. McGowan has been designing and building high-end products for nearly 40 years. Hobbies include skiing, music, hiking, artisan bread baking, kick boxing and cooking. He lives in Boulder Colorado with his wife Terri and his 4 sons.

(3) Readers Comments

  1. audiofilodigital

    August 23, 2011 at 4:57 am

    Very interesting article, Paul. Yes, I recognize perfectly what you say about ‘no comments’ regarding the price of HiEnd components (specifically, to ‘the wife’). I think it’s a matter of misunderstanding: it is accepted that a diamond ring is something expensive and an admitted ‘proof-of-love’ (?). Without entering in a war-of-sex, probably we can imagine that in the case of a girlfriend, we wouldn´t care to tell her the price of our stereo-toys (even just to impress her or whatever).
    I can´t remember the number of times I was told by a husband: “I’ll come tomorrow with my wife. Please, don´t comment anything about the price of the system or she will revenge !”. Maybe because the only official/tradicional man’s known toys are/were others: cars, watches, house, clothes, etc. But, yeah, when it comes to stereo, we are accused of being selfish (even if we have decided not to spend too much money on the official ones). Now let’s think about the following (not cheap) toy: an Apple computer and all its Apple accesories (mouse, screen, etc. It is a famous brand name, so, no problem.
    I think those maybe some reasons: unknown brand names (let’s face it, except B&O, most of HiEnd brand names are completely unknown for most of the mortals) of many unknown products that only will be selected and enjoyed by men.
    So, it shouldn´t be so strange to hear her saying: “Why the hell have you spent such amount of money on a system to get music at home? We already had a good system ! …and look at this: you are going to fill the room with all those things ?”.
    Maybe it is not only because they are expensive but also the fact that audiophiles use to exchange them very often (at least, until some years ago).
    Anyway, I am sure that this could be changed (which doesn´t mean that it has to): nowadays, with all the digital technology around (streaming, UPnP/DLNA, systems based on computers as sources…) there is no reason for so many components filling a room: a simple computer + DAC w volume-control + active speakers are enough to get the best sound. Besides, you can still spend a lot of money on them, getting excellent sound… but without showing so many metal boxes and anaconda-cables all around. It is not only our home: it is also HER home and invading a common temple with many metal boxes can be considered a desecration.
    Maybe audiophiles should try to make their wives understand about their hobby but that’s tough: it is easier to go on just hidding the MSRP, probably. Just a little lie from time to time and, as an exchange, you can continue enjoying our hobby !

    Just my 2 cents,

    Victor S.
    http://www.audiofilodigital.com

    • August 23, 2011 at 5:59 am

      Thanks Victor. It is interesting to note how some of our “toys” are ok and some are not. Maybe there is a level of understanding that just isn’t getting through. Good point about “why do you need to change what we have already?” Of course, whenever I dare ask why she needs yet another pair of shoes ….. :)

      • audiofilodigital

        August 23, 2011 at 6:35 am

        Right, Paul. It is a matter of rutin-culture: currently a HiFi system consisted in a Turntable/CD/FM tuner + integrated amplifier + small loudspeakers (monitors). Things get complicated when we start to separate them:
        - instead of 1 box (integrated) we upgrade the system adding more boxes (phono preamp + DAC + big-macho power amp).
        - instead of almost invisible cables, we upgrade them with rope luxury cables.
        - instead of keeping a pair of simple small loudspeakers, audiophiles want floorstanding (as big as possible) loudspeakers.

        The difference is that collecting dresses, shoes, etc, are already accepted in our consumers-culture. At the end, those new items can be shown easily on the streets (same as watches, cars, etc.). The problem comes when you have a hidden treasure that ask for more room… but, as any other ‘toy’ we don´t want to hide them but to show them proudly :-) What an irony: toys that can be shown/exposed naturally are not a problem, too-much toys that showed at home are… problematic (even w/o mentioning their prices :-) .

        However, a pair of Prada shoes, despite the fact that you like them or not, are a desirable object… because Prada is known by everybody. But again, only a few HiEnd brand-names are famous…. and what is not famous not worth the money you spend on them.

        Popular recognition is a ‘must’ in the world of luxury (cars, watches, clothes, accesories) because they help to promote your status (or wanabee). For that, such manufacturers invest a lot of money to appear on any kind of Hi-Standing magazines: something that no one, except B&O, can afford… or just they didn´t care… and Why ? At the end, HiEnd has been very succesful for many years, who needed to waste money publishing ads there ? Now, more than ever, brand-names are important.
        From my point of view, that was a failed signature for most of HiEnd brands. And, based on the MSRPs of some manufacturers, like it or not, they belong to the territory of luxury.

        Victor S.
        http://www.audiofilodigital.com

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