How To AVOID EXPENSIVE Audio MISTAKES! + 6 Viewer Systems!

Buying audio can be risky business, you might buy the WRONG one!

Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan

#hifi #thebest #soundquality

[GertSterner]

In ny experience, if you love what you buy, you forget about the money, but if you don’t like it; the only thing you remember, is the amount you spend.

[richardramorino]

Getting rid of used stuff is increasingly difficult. Dealers don't want the stuff even as a trade in because floor space is so expensive. Selling on the web is fraught. Shipping is becoming increasingly expensive. There's often not a market from stuff from boutique company. I am buying far, far less stuff now because I just can't get rid of it when I'm done with it

[FRL]

Do what feels good. Live and learn. You'll make mistakes but you'll also learn more by doing than by reading web pages.

[blairholmesproductionsinc.]

Thanks Steve. I love your videos and these topics provoke great thought. I am at a place where I’m enjoying what I have. Something old, something new, something borrowed...
Yes to more shows with you and Herb!

[danmarjenka]

I've learned to buy what looks and feels the best to me, because how it sounds in the store means nothing. Your room, speakers, and equipment will make whatever you are buying sound completely different than what it sounds like in the store.

[miguelbarrio]

My personal approach: Find reviewers that have the same taste as you and trust their reviews; try to listen to the piece at home if possible; have a few good reasons why you want to pull the trigger on the piece; and finally, when you listen to it, avoid listening to the fireworks. By "fireworks" I mean the obvious characteristics like extension, bass, etc that you perceive right away. It is a bit like meeting a new person: you might be impressed by the chit chat, the impressive stories, but whether you will like that person depends on a lot of more subtle things. I find similar traits in high-end audio. Take your time, and be patient.

[bfouryou]

Hello Steve, really enjoy your vids & commentaries:] I can relate, I was an audio rep before going back to college and had that same feeling with customer decisions. At the time I jumped the gun on a pair of JBL L220 Oracle speakers, negotiated with my significant other and have been enjoying them for close to 40 years. Never regretted buying that something... I lusted for....Cheers from Montreal.

[daveyurkovich]

Good way to end the week Steve ! As usual, very insightful discussion. Awesome multiple viewer systems segment too.

[jeremyr]

Oh that’s awesome, I always enjoy seeing Herb on your show!

[john]

Thanks for the video Steve. You make some good points. However, I got a very inexpensive speaker amp and a separate cheap preamp from Schiit Audio and I could not be more pleased. I spent most of my budget on a pair of Heresy IV's and that's why I was able to get away with a low powered amp (just 10 watts) but it drives those speakers just fine.

[patbarr]

A strategy that's worked for me is deciding that I'm interested in purchasing a product & then just keeping an eye on it. A few months later I may see that a replacement model caused the price to drop or a dealer or manufacturer is closing it out or selling a demonstrator unit. Checking websites regularly helps a lot with the process.

[JorgedeLumiarFerreira]

I am not an audiophile, really, just love the music, and started to pay more attention to sound quality. Maybe because of that I really relate to the "feel and look" test you mention. I bought the LEAK Stereo and CDT mostly because I fell in love with the looks, it transported me to 60's and 70's, and just by that it made me enjoy the music even more. Great video, as always!! Congrats on you content.

[mikes]

I’ve only bought stuff I have demoed. Before buying these Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III I listened to them for several hours before buying. Same with the Model 1 CI+. I am now addicted to Vandersteen.

[stephencharlton]

Great content as always, thank you. After 25 years as an audio enthusiast and following the twists and turns of upgrading (Graaf, Accuphase, Unison Research, Kef, B&W, Martin Logan. … etc etc. I have finally found peace and satisfaction….. with a Lingdorf TDAI 1120 and Wharfdale Linton Heritage. (Room Perfect made a huge difference) and a vintage Pioneer CD transport. (2500 CD’s)
Oh the time and money spent to arrive at something relatively inexpensive. Now it is just about the music….

[alfagerup]

Hi Steve. Again You have made a very good - and IMPORTANT - video.. Which can protect hifi guys, for making the same mistakes that for instans I have done, through the years...Im now 65 years.. And know the importanse of watching this video clip...Even if its - at my age - and years in living with hifi - is like getting a comb, now I have lost most of my hair..he he😊 But for newer guys, interested in hifi.. Your advices in this video is GOLD 👍🤗

[doughaigh]

in your viewers system from Santa Rosa: Fyne Audio F703's are very nice sounding/looking speakers.

[ergloo]

Since 1980 I've had 3 systems, all of which I still have, which work and which I use whenever I want a change of sound. In the early days no demo no buy now I'm in more rarefied area of £15k to £30k a box no dealer home loan unit not considered. However I know the sound I like which makes it easier. For last 25 years have used mostly Audio Research and Krell but during the pandemic changed to Constellation Mono blocs. Have used a Linn Sondek and Magnaplanars since the 1980's, have 4 pairs of the maggies and upgraded the Linn to a Klimax over the years. The only out of the blue buy was a Transparent cabling loom which has made a huge difference. As cartridges are > £2K no demo no purchase. Quality kit lasts the only thing that died were my original Tannoys from the 1960's, 2 pairs of Kefs still work and sound interesting.

[thebestoffools]

I only buy based on sound, not price (within my budget of course). I found a really nice audio shop that gives me back 100% of the purchase value if I upgrade within a year after I've bought a piece of equipment. So it's hard to go wrong. Another thing I do is I always make sure I have all the money needed to buy something I want and never buy on credit.

[paulomontero]

Always get what you want because in the end you make a full circle and end up getting what you want after you get what you settled for.

[edwardgonczy]

25 years ago, a good friend bought an Aragon 18K Preamp. Shortly thereafter, he fell under the spell of another friend of mine who was an "audio broker/dealer" who bought and sold very exotic gear, often "tube based". Richard (dealer) took John's 18K in on trade toward a $15, 000 tube integrated. Richard called me because I am a sucker for a "great deal". His words: "if you give me $600 today, the 18K is yours, I just don't feel like listing it." I still use it to this day and adore it (it has the Penny & Giles volume pot upgrade). It has never failed me. Interestingly, since it is line only, it necessitated finding a suitable "phono stage". A fellow 2 hours south of me had an Acurus (less expensive subsidiary of Aragon) P10 and it is an absolutely perfect match. Just so you know I am a fairly serious player, my turntable is a 40-year-old Linn Sondek LP12 that has gone through several clinics and upgrades (yes, Lingo and Cirkus). Oh yes, amp is Linn LK85. Money is tight these days. The gear sounds great and still works. The speakers might use some upgrading, modified Large Advents. But I am in no hurry. I really regret selling my JBL Lancer/Athena 99s from 1968. I had to replace that hideous material JBL used for surrounds (Lansaloy or some such) as it had stiffened and allowed the woofers no play. But because of the way the crossover was designed, you could not upgrade to better speaker terminals. Alas, I still miss them. Alas, also a mint pair of JBL L26 Decades in the original oak proprietary cabinets. Later, for cost considerations, JBL put the drivers in the cabinet they used for the L100. In fact they used that cabinet for the rest of the decade for such speakers as the L36 and the L50 (the last of the great JBL's).