True, true and true. This is why I believe the DIY market has grown by leaps. Knowledge is accessible, heck why don't I do it myself. There are great products I would buy if I could but not beyond 5K and even these have to punch way above their price.
Amen, brother! Rigthty-O! Excellent point on synergy at the end. You’re correct - ‘they’ never talk about that. 😊. You’ve just earned a subscriber - thank you, Sir.
I never got around to seeing those TAD speakers at AXPONA, and I'm glad of it. There's something about the company that irritates me. Not one dealer, in all of Texas, it says. I think Aavik is a waste of money, as well. What are either of them doing that is so innovative? I would take Borresen speakers instead. At least you know you're getting one of the best ribbon tweeters ever made. I had spent some time with Vince of Totem Acoustics listening to Totem Element Fire speakers, as well. The woofers are hand made and the woofers alone, cost $1200 each. Yes, $8500 is a lot of money for a pair of bookshelf speakers, but the company has done extraordinary things, here.
I don't think it's about luxury -- that would be more Magicos, Focals, Borresens at the high end.. I feel it's more about low production volumes. I don't know how many of these get sold. But I did hear that the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC is on the order of 100 per year in the U.S. I would assume TAD volumes to be much lower numbers. You are not making 50MM/yr in sales, not even 10. If you start a small software startup, which only has people costs and no manufacturing or material R&D costs, you are already looking at 3+MM/yr for a 12 person operation. And that's not including distributors and dealers. Also, as we all know, Pioneer went through a death spell with the collapse of plasma TVs -- I am happy they managed to keep TAD alive.
Don't you think a hearing test should go along with an expensive audio equipment purchase? My hearing is shot. I am missing a large portion of the spectrum, gone. No system is going to get me to hear that.
I understand what you're saying, but a lot of older audiophiles have learn how to listen to music. I don't think a lot of the older guys on Stereophile, and The Absolute sound still have excellent hearing anymore. They don't, but they have learned how to listen to music, even if they can't hear the highest frequencies any longer.
Still use my 60 watt Adcom Amp and Pre-Amp with my Boston Acoustics VR m50 bookshelves...I now use a blutooth adapter instead of my CD player.. I have added a newer Klipsch sub woofer..I am perfectly happy with it. I have $100 ears so my setup is perfectly fine for me.
There was a time in the 90ds where a salon owner came over with an Adcom amp, and it really sounded very bad on my horn speakers even he cringe. But he said it was a very good amp and that's why he brought it over because it was Price Rite, and sounded right for the price. Thing I have discovered it seems like horn speakers just sound a little bit better with tube equipment versus solid state. It takes the edge off the horns.
@@theempiricalaudiophile3729 I have three power amps. The two smaller amps I use seasonally while the bigger amp( Adcom 555 mk2) I keep in the system year round on bass as I am biamping. The classic Hafler 120, because of Mosfets has a lot of the warmth of my Conrad Johnson MV55. I use the Hafler in the spring and summer on midrange and treble and the C.J. in the fall and winter. The only transistor amps that I like in the midrange and treble are those with Mosfets.
@@theempiricalaudiophile3729 A lot of people slept on the Hafler dh120 back in the day. It has a lot of the tube sound without the hardness of bipolar transistors. It was often overlooked by its bigger brothers but sounds sweeter than any of them. I would recommend any power amp that has Mosfets to who like tube sound without the maintenance of them. By the way everything you said absolutely makes sense all the way 👍👍👍
Greed has clearly taken over. The cat is out of the bag. Audiophiles (many) want great sound so bad that they'll pay house prices for a stereo system. So guess what they're gonna price stuff at? Fortunately we have a lot of other options. You can get one whale of a speaker for $800 or less searching out used stuff that goes back a bit, and is no longer flavor of the month. Yesterdays great equipment from 3 to 5 decades ago is still at least good equipment; and some of it is still great. You're right in that no one claims it sounds real. One of the most respected audio designers, years ago, said that todays best equipment only has around 12% of the sound quality of real live music. He might have a higher figure in mind now, as the very best equipment has progressed some, but 12% means you'd have to double that, then double that, then double that. I have never met any reasonable quality speaker that didn't all of a sudden sound like a superstar when connected to over the top equipment. I feel bad for those not knowing that great sound can be had fairly cheaply. Of course if they can easily afford equipment that expensive, maybe they'd feel sorry for us.
Must admit that I do have some CDs that do sound real like I remember the nightclubs did in Chicago. And once in a while, I do get surprised with a CD that may have some instruments that really sound real. Not everything will sound real and I accept that, but somethings will trick you enough where it will sound realistic or close to realistic.
You are missing the importance of Exclusivity. This means most people are EXCLUDED from owning them. This is valuable to some people. The argument of "getting money back " is not something TAD buyers care about. TAD speakers do something that no other speaker can do. Its thier signature mid and high. That coax is a secret weapon. Not everyone wants old, vintage stuff. Its just that. Old... i mean a 67 Impala is cool, but do i want to drive it as my car ? Not a chance. Ill smell like fuel when I come out of it and its about the least safe thing out there. You are assuming everyone wants value. Some people dont. They want the coolest expensive stuff out there and the less value it has the more it feeds thier ego. Blame the times Brother. Its not the world we grew up on. Check the history of bitcoin and you will het an idea where all this new "Eff You" money comes from. And there are a ton of luxury, low value, high profit items that are just that. Cool expensive shit. TAD 100% does something no other speaker does, however. And its not silly, cheap "bass"... you also seem to miss that most people prefer fantasy over reality. Reality sucks. Fantasy is much more enjoyable.
You’re absolutely right some people just want the newest and greatest product out there. However, I try to appeal to those who just do not have the money. I know that belong to one of the biggest stereo clubs almost in the United States most of the guys had older equipment because they just could not afford the very expensive new equipment. They were still were happy with it and still they were very proud of what they owned. Thank you for commenting. I respect your advice. I watch your channel often. You really tell it straight as it is. Thanks
If you have a good sounding medium size room there is no need to spend more than a few thousand. Buy second hand, take the time to match your gear, to find (healthy priced) interconnects and speaker cables that can bring you the finishing touch (this is also a matter of matching) and you’re good. Better avoid expensive gear, you will be disappointed in the end. Every component has its downsides and better keep some in your bank account for fixing the next challenge your audiophile brain will present to you some day. Or to fund repairs. Or to take your girlfriend to Paris.
How do you think I kept the speakers for over 47 years and never was swayed by the audio reviewers out there that I should keep changing my equipment. If you find something you like stick with it and stick with it for the rest of your life.
True, true and true.
This is why I believe the DIY market has grown by leaps. Knowledge is accessible, heck why don't I do it myself.
There are great products I would buy if I could but not beyond 5K and even these have to punch way above their price.
Amen, brother! Rigthty-O! Excellent point on synergy at the end. You’re correct - ‘they’ never talk about that. 😊. You’ve just earned a subscriber - thank you, Sir.
Yes indeed!
Just found your channel. Thanks for speaking the truth. I'm a fan now.
You've gained a subscriber. Love your scorched earth approach keeping it real.
I never got around to seeing those TAD speakers at AXPONA, and I'm glad of it. There's something about the company that irritates me. Not one dealer, in all of Texas, it says. I think Aavik is a waste of money, as well. What are either of them doing that is so innovative? I would take Borresen speakers instead. At least you know you're getting one of the best ribbon tweeters ever made. I had spent some time with Vince of Totem Acoustics listening to Totem Element Fire speakers, as well. The woofers are hand made and the woofers alone, cost $1200 each. Yes, $8500 is a lot of money for a pair of bookshelf speakers, but the company has done extraordinary things, here.
Most is old tech glammed up. Prices have gone crazy.
I don't think it's about luxury -- that would be more Magicos, Focals, Borresens at the high end.. I feel it's more about low production volumes. I don't know how many of these get sold. But I did hear that the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC is on the order of 100 per year in the U.S. I would assume TAD volumes to be much lower numbers. You are not making 50MM/yr in sales, not even 10. If you start a small software startup, which only has people costs and no manufacturing or material R&D costs, you are already looking at 3+MM/yr for a 12 person operation. And that's not including distributors and dealers. Also, as we all know, Pioneer went through a death spell with the collapse of plasma TVs -- I am happy they managed to keep TAD alive.
Thanks for ur honest opinions
My pleasure 😊 thank you for watching.
Stereox was great too but wanished in tube waters
Don't you think a hearing test should go along with an expensive audio equipment purchase? My hearing is shot. I am missing a large portion of the spectrum, gone. No system is going to get me to hear that.
I understand what you're saying, but a lot of older audiophiles have learn how to listen to music. I don't think a lot of the older guys on Stereophile, and The Absolute sound still have excellent hearing anymore. They don't, but they have learned how to listen to music, even if they can't hear the highest frequencies any longer.
Still use my 60 watt Adcom Amp and Pre-Amp with my Boston Acoustics VR m50 bookshelves...I now use a blutooth adapter instead of my CD player.. I have added a newer Klipsch sub woofer..I am perfectly happy with it. I have $100 ears so my setup is perfectly fine for me.
There was a time in the 90ds where a salon owner came over with an Adcom amp, and it really sounded very bad on my horn speakers even he cringe. But he said it was a very good amp and that's why he brought it over because it was Price Rite, and sounded right for the price. Thing I have discovered it seems like horn speakers just sound a little bit better with tube equipment versus solid state. It takes the edge off the horns.
@@theempiricalaudiophile3729 I have three power amps. The two smaller amps I use seasonally while the bigger amp( Adcom 555 mk2) I keep in the system year round on bass as I am biamping. The classic Hafler 120, because of Mosfets has a lot of the warmth of my Conrad Johnson MV55. I use the Hafler in the spring and summer on midrange and treble and the C.J. in the fall and winter. The only transistor amps that I like in the midrange and treble are those with Mosfets.
@@theempiricalaudiophile3729 A lot of people slept on the Hafler dh120 back in the day. It has a lot of the tube sound without the hardness of bipolar transistors. It was often overlooked by its bigger brothers but sounds sweeter than any of them. I would recommend any power amp that has Mosfets to who like tube sound without the maintenance of them. By the way everything you said absolutely makes sense all the way 👍👍👍
Greed has clearly taken over. The cat is out of the bag. Audiophiles (many) want great sound so bad that they'll pay house prices for a stereo system. So guess what they're gonna price stuff at? Fortunately we have a lot of other options. You can get one whale of a speaker for $800 or less searching out used stuff that goes back a bit, and is no longer flavor of the month. Yesterdays great equipment from 3 to 5 decades ago is still at least good equipment; and some of it is still great. You're right in that no one claims it sounds real. One of the most respected audio designers, years ago, said that todays best equipment only has around 12% of the sound quality of real live music. He might have a higher figure in mind now, as the very best equipment has progressed some, but 12% means you'd have to double that, then double that, then double that. I have never met any reasonable quality speaker that didn't all of a sudden sound like a superstar when connected to over the top equipment. I feel bad for those not knowing that great sound can be had fairly cheaply. Of course if they can easily afford equipment that expensive, maybe they'd feel sorry for us.
Must admit that I do have some CDs that do sound real like I remember the nightclubs did in Chicago. And once in a while, I do get surprised with a CD that may have some instruments that really sound real. Not everything will sound real and I accept that, but somethings will trick you enough where it will sound realistic or close to realistic.
You are missing the importance of Exclusivity. This means most people are EXCLUDED from owning them. This is valuable to some people. The argument of "getting money back " is not something TAD buyers care about. TAD speakers do something that no other speaker can do. Its thier signature mid and high. That coax is a secret weapon. Not everyone wants old, vintage stuff. Its just that. Old... i mean a 67 Impala is cool, but do i want to drive it as my car ? Not a chance. Ill smell like fuel when I come out of it and its about the least safe thing out there. You are assuming everyone wants value. Some people dont. They want the coolest expensive stuff out there and the less value it has the more it feeds thier ego. Blame the times Brother. Its not the world we grew up on. Check the history of bitcoin and you will het an idea where all this new "Eff You" money comes from. And there are a ton of luxury, low value, high profit items that are just that. Cool expensive shit. TAD 100% does something no other speaker does, however. And its not silly, cheap "bass"... you also seem to miss that most people prefer fantasy over reality. Reality sucks. Fantasy is much more enjoyable.
You’re absolutely right some people just want the newest and greatest product out there. However, I try to appeal to those who just do not have the money. I know that belong to one of the biggest stereo clubs almost in the United States most of the guys had older equipment because they just could not afford the very expensive new equipment. They were still were happy with it and still they were very proud of what they owned. Thank you for commenting. I respect your advice. I watch your channel often. You really tell it straight as it is. Thanks
If you have a good sounding medium size room there is no need to spend more than a few thousand. Buy second hand, take the time to match your gear, to find (healthy priced) interconnects and speaker cables that can bring you the finishing touch (this is also a matter of matching) and you’re good. Better avoid expensive gear, you will be disappointed in the end. Every component has its downsides and better keep some in your bank account for fixing the next challenge your audiophile brain will present to you some day. Or to fund repairs. Or to take your girlfriend to Paris.
How do you think I kept the speakers for over 47 years and never was swayed by the audio reviewers out there that I should keep changing my equipment. If you find something you like stick with it and stick with it for the rest of your life.