Interesting Article On Hi-Fi In The Observer
Posted by: tonym on 29 November 2015
A pretty good article from someone who's a hi-fi buff themselves; Lost in music: the world of obsessive audiophilia
Mind you, the author might be horrified if he knew what some of us spend...
I'd be interested to know what Ian Rankin is using now - he lost credibility for me when he waxed lyrical about the Linn Intek 
Intersting read!
As we all know expensive speaker cables make no difference. Keep reciting that to yourself Tony. 
So much pity and contempt for other people. What a wanker.
So much pity and contempt for other people. What a wanker.
Oh, come on. It wasn't a bad read. He admits to being significantly afflicted himself. His pity for people listening to MP3s with earbuds is echoed by many in this very forum.
Oh, dear. Quite insulting article when you consider what he's listening to. 
So much pity and contempt for other people. What a wanker.
Oh, come on. It wasn't a bad read. He admits to being significantly afflicted himself. His pity for people listening to MP3s with earbuds is echoed by many in this very forum.
Indeed. I think you'll find a fair number of the general public regard us folk as a bunch of wankers anyway.
Let me make one thing clear, B and O sounds crap! At least I have never been impressed!
Hmm I saw the article says that Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Mevedev uses Naim, but a bit of a google suggests this info comes from a photo taken in 2010 when he was president and that the only piece of Naim is a CDX2. Unless anyone knows differently?
best
David
The really interesting thing is the pair of handcuffs in Ian Rankin's listening room.
Let me make one thing clear, B and O sounds crap! At least I have never been impressed!
Not sure what B&O you've listened to, but "crap" it certainly is not! They made some excellent tuners and, sure, you can get better sound for the Pound. But they're a highly reputable audio company with a great deal of style.
Thought I'd check it out and I tend to agree with The Strat. Just imagine had it been in the Daily Mail!!!! As for B&O, just like any company, they fulfil a need...if they didn't they'd go under. I have a Beoplay A2, it's easy to use, sounds good, doesn't require a degree to update and has got me thinking would a Muso be all I need, thereby ditching my main set up. In fact I could buy another A2 and go stereo.....I could go for a little trip to Norway, have a nice mini break and get it for just under £200 tax free.....that's got me thinking.....
So much pity and contempt for other people. What a wanker.
Oh, come on. It wasn't a bad read. He admits to being significantly afflicted himself. His pity for people listening to MP3s with earbuds is echoed by many in this very forum.
I did read it through. However, whilst there is nothing wrong with holding an opinion, feeling pity and contempt for people who are not you is the refuge of the vacuous wanker. But it's nice work if you can get it.
Let me make one thing clear, B and O sounds crap! At least I have never been impressed!
To you maybe. Which is valid enough for a sample of one. I have to admit being at times seriously impressed down the years although I was never moved to own it. And even less able to afford it for the most part.
An interesting, opinionated article, thanks Tony.
Seemed like a perfect, gratuitous moment for Joe Jackson's easily findable Sunday Papers on You Tube.
Cheers, Chris
The really interesting thing is the pair of handcuffs in Ian Rankin's listening room.
Novelty USB sticks?
Seemed like a perfect, gratuitous moment for Joe Jackson's easily findable Sunday Papers on You Tube.
Cheers, Chris
Great choice there Chris! As I've got every recording Mr Jackson's ever made, easy for me to find.
The really interesting thing is the pair of handcuffs in Ian Rankin's listening room.
Actually it isn't that interesting.
The photo of the room is from 2007. I hope this link doesn't break forum rules..........but if Richard deletes the link, you can find the page easily by googling with keywords Ian Rankin office handcuffs
best
David
I think that was quite a good article, if nothing else it's nice to see references to real high-end brands in the mainstream press. Thinking about brands like Linn, Arcam, Cyrus, and even Naim, what percentage of the UK population, even those prepared to spend the dosh, know they exist? Naim have made some good choices I believe with recent products, with the Muso bringing the brand to the masses through Apple and John Lewis stores, while the Statement covers the opposite end of the market; its insane price making headlines which also reach the masses. The publicity both have received shows a very cunning move in improving brand awareness.
One thing about the article that I don't like, is that it suggests you either need to spend £1000 on secondhand gear, or £5k to 10k, to get something 'special'. I don't agree, I mean special relative to what? With careful choices buying new with a budget of £1000 you could put together a system that worked really well, and would knock the socks off the typical replay systems that seem to dominate households today. A well spent grand on secondhand gear, that opens doors to performance that most would not dream possible.
B & O sounds bangin' awful in my experience, but each to their own.