I am constantly amused by audiophiles and music lovers trying to outdo themselves and the producers in ideas on how to make good audio equipment.
They are constantly looking for a panceum in ‘better’, more expensive, different equipment.
Below is some information to broaden the prospects for the seekers, and finally the answer to the question: why is it not worth choosing audio equipment based on the appearance? 🙂
So how do you define good equipment? I would divide the devices into 4 types that I observed.
- design
- components
- conscious selection
- Execution / Design
1. PROJECT
engineering design, or the system in which the amplifier, DAC or loudspeakers are designed. Over the years, hundreds or maybe thousands of different variations have been created. Everyone is good in their own way, but everyone has some handicaps and vices.
A good layout is the basis, but only one of the ingredients of good equipment. Therefore, amplifiers, which are copies of devices from China – are not good choices, although when compromising – it is always an option.
The same is true of DIY – I wrote about it by the wayDream and DIY amplifier – is it worth it?
In my opinion, in audio, the simpler the better – just like in life 🙂The more complex the system, the more variables and more things matter.It often ends up that what we gain from a good idea … we lose on worse / mismatched components.
2. Components
Capacitors, resistors, coils, lamps, transducers – everything, of course, has a colossal meaning. Unfortunately, in audio it does not work so that the more class components, the better the drivers in the speakers, the better.
On the contrary. Often the opposite is true. The more variables, the more difficult it is to tune the whole thing well. So the cost of the product increases – often up to absurd amounts, and the quality / sound – just still not good.
I really like culinary metaphors.
It’s a bit like making a stew from a better – leaner meat – chicken breasts or beef tenderloin. The paradox is that the dish costs more, and this meat is completely unsuitable for stewing and we get a chip. So it is different, a little better, a little worse, but … much more expensive.
3. Conscious selection
Therefore, these best devices are a combination of the layout with the selection of components. And the conscious use of these expensive and other elements to show them.
Therefore, most of the amplifiers from China or DIY projects are unfortunately of poor quality products.
Usually these are either nice systems with poor, randomly selected components, or in the case of DIY components more expensive than they should be.
On the other hand, in the case of branded equipment, even if the engineer can choose it well … it is limited by finances. If the amplifier on the shelf costs PLN 10,000, after a discount of PLN 8,000. Now the question is how much money is inside. Especially if we take into account transport, the cost of production, the margin of the store and often the distributor.
4. Execution / Design
There is no point in pretending that these devices are often part of our showrooms. It would be nice to look too. Nice design costs – the housings are very expensive.
When something looks expensive and is relatively cheap – there is a good chance that it is … poor inside.
A compromise is a component, a design, or a time for tuning. Mostly a little bit of everything. Nevertheless, design is a good way to stand out. Especially when the equipment ‘helps’ to choose a wife or partner.
Summation
Even Solomon will not pour from the empty one and even if we reduce production costs due to the seriality, cheaper housings, there is little left for good components.
Hence, in audio, we can observe a decrease in quality and price increases for years.
recipe? Mine is good used equipment and a new one from manufactories.
Let’s not be deceived with new products, but rather narrow down the circles of searches in what has been and worked for years.
If you feel lost in the audio world, you would like to start or improve something and the above content appeals to you …
I invite you:audio-architect.eu– Independent audio advisor.
