Meet Mark, he's owned Infinity, Acoustat, Klipsch, Vandersteen, Thiel, and other speakers

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Judging by the comments we're all taking different paths on the audio journey, and that's a good thing.

[@BlackSnowOnChristmas]

Probably the most important video for audiophiles I've seen. And what a message: When it comes to art, don't let knowledge get in the way of your pleasure. Thanks for this honesty and thanks, Steve, for making such a video.

[@billwillard9410]

A common story of getting into the hobby hot and heavy and then spending too much time in the weeds fussing over minutiae, and then along comes something simple like the iPod, where you can listen anywhere, and packing up your equipment to gather dust. Then eventually dragging out the old equipment on a whim and firing it up, and you remember why you got into this hobby in the first place.

I heard once that an audiophile is someone who when his systems sounds perfect, he turn it off.

[@afrog2666]

That would be the opposite. I don`t care what stigma and stereotypes say, the term audiophile should be brought back to its original meaning=soundlover. The people obsessed with perfect gear, perect sound and all that jazz, doing things like making the perfect system only to talk about it and not use it, are NOT audiophiles, they`re gear heads. Being an audiophile is by definition about seeking out and enjoying good sound, that`s it, what bastardized definitions people use are meaningless, because the wording says it all, audio-phile. It only means one thing, I can call a drinking straw a garden hose, it doesn`t make it true, it just means I`m not using the words correctly ;)

[@necrodh]

When I feel like "omg this setup finally is perfect" I fall sleep after 30 seconds haha

[@explorinlearnindoing5462]

Yep I know an audiophile who did the same...

[@martytoo]

Stories like the MP3 section of this tale are why a lot of us have to buy our old gear back - after seller's remorse.

[@bolsesolheim7469]

So nice listening to Mark !,especially when talking about my old Friend Phil Jones and the Acoustic Energy Loudspeakers ,I use a couple of The AE1 in Marbella ,Spain, Together with My Fantastic Audiio Power Labs Oil Cooled Class A Tube amplifiers fitted with Lundahl Transformers from Per Lundahl and Russian 572 Tubes from Svetlana, I bought 10 mono Audio Power Labs amps from Gerry Moersdorf in Columbus Ohio

[@billbones1000]

This gentleman is my kinda dude, just enjoy music!! Good one Steve.

[@pekkatervala8476]

Respect! Mark has focused on music. I find new (and old) music on KZbin, which I hadn't found otherwise. Though I still have my favorite LP albums and CDs, but I don't play those often anymore. Only when testing new gear, which are usually second hand bargains.

[@AudiophileTubes]

I don't understand the frequent stigma against "audiophiles". Audiophiles are just people who love music, and want it reproduced as accurately and with as much impact as possible, often in order to approach what a live performance sounds like. We like quality gear, just like car and driving enthusiasts like quality cars. We can enjoy music on 50 dollar boomboxes or iPODS too, of course. But let's face it... life is SHORT, and then comes the forever dirt nap and oblivion. We are given this very special opportunity called life in order to experence passion, joy, and meaning, which for many of us includes music. Like anything else in life, some of us may get 'carried away' and obsess over our audio gear, but that is part of the fun and experience. We're not bothering anyone else. In fact, i've had several people thank me for showing them how great music can sound to the point where they went out and purchased 'better' gear. It can be life changing if music moves you that much! So don't be jealous... don't be critical out of spite... don't think you fully understand our passion or intentions... we don't bite, and we are willing to share our knowledge of our passion/hobby (not that we always get things right)! Ditto my other two passions, which are Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) and vintage motorcycles.

[@yogiwp_]

Been thinking about this for a good while. Looking back, I did feel much happier listening to music before I got into this audiophile bs. It's not about happy being ignorant (ignorance is bliss and all that), but more about caring for the right thing, which was for me more about the idea of the music rather than the performance. Great tunes are more than enough. Nowadays I see flaws. Had to make conscious effort to ignore and just enjoy. Wish I could go back but looks like I'm stuck.

[@ianboard544]

A fellow electrical engineer at a place where I worked used to subscribe to one of the audiophile magazines for laughs. The amounts of money that some people would pay for things that could have no impact on sound quality was astounding - like speaker cables of "single crystal oxygen free copper".

[@cnccnc1738]

Perfect interview.

[@Beyondabsence]

Wonderful interview. There's a beautiful paradox that if we're lucky then we can passionately live immersed in it. This endless search for the best sound must be sought as if it's a truly real and indispensable experience. And at the same time, it is elusive and irrelevant in light of many other things in our lives. If we're able to step back, once in a while, and detach from all this addictive paranoia, we can enjoy it without frustration and without breaking the bank.

[@mesonto]

That "Sonic Frontier" equipment was freaking incredible! The sound coming out of it was mind bendingly great.

[@weeooh1]

As audiophiles, you know you have reached a higher state of mind when you can enjoy music played back on anything, even on earbuds + mp3 player.

[@theredboneking]

Wat Dis Disagree. That’s a music lover. There’s a difference between “noise” and “music”. After having home trial different equipment and refusing to return them because it was just much more enjoyable than before I can understand the difference between noise and music. HOWEVER I do understand why it’s nice to just enjoy music rather than the constant chase for the perfect sound. A sound you could live with for the rest of your life. BUT, there is a difference between “noise” and “music”. And that’s an audiophile.

[@theredboneking]

Matt I see your point. I’m not really talking about a old bad recordings of “good music”. It’s kind of like saying old classic movies are not good because they lack today’s technology like colour and 4k. Old classic movies are my favourite just like older music. What I’m talking about is the difference between listening to a old clock radio (noise) to a high end system (music). If you love both you are a “music lover”. If you can tell and feel the difference you are a audiophile. There must be a difference between an audiophile and a music lover is what I am trying to get across. My wife is a music lover, she often listens to music on her clock radio. I on the other hand get annoyed listening to music on a crappy clock radio. Cheers

[@MagGray]

@@theredboneking I was just about to say the same thing, so thanks for saving me some time :)

[@richardwestmoreland4796]

@@theredboneking I cannot think of a bigger waste of time if someone cannot differentiate between what is music and what is merely some type of noise. Music denotes sound as being something enjoyable and noise is anything but enjoyable. Audiophiles are people who have seemingly either forgot that or never learned it in the first place.

[@stanae7ut199]

I need friends like this to send me tracks every day

[@k.dsolomon5351]

As a person that has spent their entire life in recording studios of all types. Digital and analog. The notion of being a “Audiophile” meaning reproducing the sound of the live recording is almost laughable. Too many variables. If it’s pleasing to your ears just enjoy it. No 2 people will hear the same anyway. No 2 engineers will mix the same, no 2 rooms record the same. No 2 mics sounds the same. No reproduction can happen just listen and enjoy

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Keivin solomon I agree with you! No sense chasing you’re never going to get, the sound the recording, mix, or mastering engineer heard

[@Merlin-wo1kj]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Just as no 2 definitions of an "Audiophile" are the same right Steve?

[@gboates]

Luckily the definition of audiophile does not mean "...recreating the live sound" so no it's not a laughing matter. Being an audiophile is a lifetime of sonic progression. And as you say, totally subjective, just my brain and my ears and perhaps a little of my drug of choice. The 'live sound' thing was never the Holy Grail and today even less so. Most instruments today don't have a unique or definitive sound of their own. Tonal qualities of most electronic instruments can be subtly or drastically altered and depend on direct boxes, effects, tube swaps, pickup modifications and as you said mic choice and placement for acoustic instruments. Even a Steinway or Yamaha Disclaviar sounds totally different depending on the venue. Your seat in the hall makes a big difference. Thus saying that recreating a live sound is impossible is perhaps a lazy persons way of not participating. I've worked with and recorded all types of talent; Kodály Symposium, full orchestras to acapella, from live broadcasts to archival recordings. Alas each of us can only perceive music in isolation due to psychoacoustic qualities of human sound perception. In fact many maestros can listen to crap sound and report that their perception is translated into glory by their brains! Regardless of the studio monitor and associated equipment, the music is still recorded in all its technical mishmash, just waiting to be decoded. Audio equipment is simply a way to mine that ‘technical glory’. I doubt that the 3D sound-field or perfect dynamics sought by audiophiles is something that is attempted to be preserved in a recording by any of the participants so that it can be recreated later by a proper choice of playback equipment. We are just fortunate for all the hidden and unplanned for nuances that can be unleashed with the proper budgetary commitment. There are an infinite number of sonic secrets waiting to be unlocked in each recording, regardless of format. Secrets that can be uniquely yours depending on your choice of playback equipment and it's deployment in your playback environment. Sounds and dimensions that not even the engineers or musicians have ever heard or even imagined. Being an audiophile is a sonic gateway drug.

[@k.dsolomon5351]

gary boates yea you said all that in disagreement with me to say exactly what I said... cool

[@gboates]

Keivin solomon ya got me

[@johnvalatos4073]

Hey Steve, how about at the end of your videos you suggest one track we should listen to. What a great concept, share a track a day.

[@timw.9466]

He seems a fine gentleman, audio gear and the love of different genres of music is unique and beautiful in different ways to each individual. Music speaks to us each in its own way, that's the beauty of music and a great playback system, taking you to a place all your own in the quiet of your own creation and memories! We're all unique individuals with different tastes, I for one like hearing others points of interest and correspondence unlike some forums where others try to push there ideas or choices on others looking for something different than what they deem appropriate. Can't take those places and clicks, highschool all over again! Subjective experience with high levels of gear, his hard work has paid off and he's found his voice of music playback that speaks to him, in the end that's what the journey should culminate in. It's also a lot of fun searching for that optimum playback chain of gear that speaks to your inner soul, while it can get costly, it's no different than spending on any other outside enjoyment. Great job Steve looking forward to part 2 with this very fine guest!

[@fernandoespinosa3403]

Really interesting story. Full of honesty and humble. Very nice interview Steve. Thanks for sharing it.

[@stevenjones57]

I don’t understand a lot of the technical information or recognise the products they’re talking about, but I could listen to these people talk all day long. Why do you think that is? I love this channel so much.

[@Reyfox1]

My first real experience with audio in the late 60's was McIntosh and Bozak Concert Grands. Wow!!! I've had the Grace F9e, Micro acoustics, Grado's, Dynavector Ruby, but finally finished with Koestu Black Goldline. Equipment was Counterpoint SA2 head amp, SA3 preamp and Carver 1.5t, which was later replaced with Counterpoint SA220 amp. I also had the DCM Time Windows, Acoustat 1+1's and finally settled on Von Schweikert VR4's which I still use today.

[@MJ-ge6jz]

I to had many years pause of audio, just had a Sony A810 player with mostly 320 rips. Doesn't sound bad... upgraded the ear buds to audiophile level... sounds even better! As time goes by your standards just go up. I had B&W for a long time... Had the old Magnepan MGIII, they are still amazing! Then I heard about the Maggie 20.7, purchased them with no regret. My audio journey has long pauses between upgrades but I never lost the passion of attaining realistic reproduction of sound; a perfection that can never be completely captured.

[@paulaj2829]

that's amazing to listen to you guys.. because i have gone though the same being as Mark.. & i'm a young man again listening to music as it should be.. so i now know that i'm not going mad but enjoying my life with real music again as i get older .. Paul

[@maxpower78-15]

I have swapped out so many components, speakers and cables over the years. Its such a fun addiction.

[@davidschatzle4064]

Steve you sold me the first pair of store bought speakers in the early 90’s. But at heart I am a diyer. Right now I Igot a pair of Pluto’s going ( by Siegfried Linkwitz). With a Doug self preamp and a wavelength brick coming out of my P.C. iTunes. I also have a pair of lowther pm5a’s in open baffles with 15” bass drivers slot loaded. These were designed by our beloved Nelson Pass. The amp/preamp is 45/27 tubes all magnequest iron. The bass is drive with 300b’s and the crossover designed by JC Morrison is transformer based - spectacular continuity between the drivers. And a hybrid phono stage that wayne colborn ( pass preamp designer)part 03a buffer. & Sowter sut’s. Coming from a Garrard 401 with a 12” ortofon studio arm and spu spherical. But my deepest loves are the iris horns I had for 15 years. These would take your breath away. - frontloaded lowthers 113db efficient. And details too. But they were sold when I moved to a smaller place a few years ago.

[@aceofspades6667]

Steve I really do enjoy your channel... I watch you, Darko, and Zeos for audio content. You each provide very different content and have a much different point of view. I very much do appreciate the space that you fill and the type of information you and your guests pass along. IMO Mark brings up good points about the balance between analytical/detail listening for music and just listening for the pure joy of musicality. A compressed recording on an ipod and earbuds can be very fun to listen to with good music and a poor source. Put that same source on midfi/hifi and it takes much of the joy away from it.

[@johnvalatos4073]

Great interview, really cool guy. Said it before it is so liberating to cut back and listen to music on headphones. Recently put my stereo system away and enjoying music through my phone and headphones.

[@anthonynicholson5523]

I love how you fight for what you love. You went on until you were happy. Congrats!

[@hifiguy10]

Loved my ceiling-height Acoustat 2+2s with a threshold Amp!

[@slidetek]

Kind of echoes my audio experience. I still have my Thiel 2 2's (in storage), and they're nearly as picky as my Maggies were in terms of placement/room. But I nailed the bass in my old listening room. I'm going to be dipping my toe in a bit as I hook up my old equipment, but really the "chase" is over. _In the end, it's all about the music._

[@mymixture965]

The more I watch your videos, the more I see my future and I am not sure if I am happy with that. Looks like I am an audiophile, just in for one year, but hooked, badly hooked.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

Loved the “non audiophile” part of the interview. As always, it should be about listening to music and not your system per se. Glad to see that so many viewers agree. And what’s wrong with 320K from Google, Spotify, etc? Really? I have sampled Tidal / hi rez and am not impressed, especially for $10 extra / month. It’s a big yawn to me. Yep, iPod and then streaming changed my life forever, especially as a music cherry picker. I own about 160,000 digital songs (in iPod lingo) but really only connect with about 30,000 of them. I listen to favorite songs, never whole or sides of an album. And I owned 3 LP12’s over the years. Never going back to vinyl and all the table tweaks and concerns as Mark pointed out so well. Steve, another great on-location video. Keep ‘em coming!

[@gerryk3114]

In 1974 I bought my Technics SL1100A, in 1978 I bought my Infinity QLS-1 speakers !! I STILL HAVE IT ALL !!! Since I don’t have money, I haven’t bought anything since 1984 !!!

[@YKsfo]

A rare case of sanity among audiophiles. Oftentimes the forest gets lost behind the trees

[@cdavidhord]

His journey is not complete, he has just finished moving around a circle and about to go around again.

[@theredboneking]

C H Yeah, he’s just at the stage where he’s tired of critiquing the equipment and just enjoy the music. Now he needs to find the equipment that he could live with for the rest of his life and stop searching......if possible.

[@reaality3860]

When I got married I lost my dedicated listening room. Now my listening position is a couch pushed up against a wall and my system sounds much worse than it ever has.

[@mariosupa4027]

Nice video Steve, though the critic in me thought it drags a bit. All the same this gentleman seems very genuine and sincere. I can definitely relate and look forward to part two. Thanks Steve.

[@rotaks1]

Absolutely fantastic story! Loved the story of the missed bass due to standing waves!

[@capdec9398]

I can relate in a similar way. I went through expensive brands and different speakers + amps but never really satisfied. All I was listening to was the gear and not the music like I once used to. I simply ''downgraded" if you will ( at least compared to what i used to own ) and got a Rotel A14 integrated paired with B&W CM5's a Oppo BDP105 with a Technics SL-1200mk2 and couldn't be happier. I find myself listening to music I used to listen to as a teenager ( even if it's not well recorded ) not caring too much about production. The trick is to find good synergy and stop at that, the nit picking and trying to find flaws instead of positives will lead to an endless road of spending and changing equipment. One will always be wondering if he or she should get this or change that, questioning everything when the point is to listen to music and not gear. Just keep it simple and enjoy the music!

[@CyberShanghai]

Hello, my name is Mark and I’m an audiophile.

[@billwillard9410]

CyberShanghai Hi, Mark.

[@if6wuzz9]

Hi Mark... you’re in a safe space here.

[@gurdyman1]

Hi Mark. I'm Dave. You are in good company here.

[@phetmoz]

The average Joe would be happier chasing musicality rather than absolute resolution and definition. Timing, soundstage, imaging, rhythm overall immersion is more important long term in my honest opinion.

[@darrenweight5972]

This was a great interview. I still have my pair of Acoustat Model 3s. I haven’t had them hooked up for years but I can’t let them go. Minus the fact that they have basically ZERO dynamic range capabilities, (and a sweet spot that’s only 6 inches wide) they are still one the best sounding speakers I’ve heard.

[@Pintosonic]

I never been into really high end audio but I reached a point where everyone around me thought I was crazy for spending so much on a stereo. And I reached a point where I could ear defects in most popular music I liked. Since the 90s producers mix so it sounds good on cheap earbuds. So unless you are into classical music or jazz where producers actually give a F about sound quality, chances are that you will not have an enjoyable listening experience on a very high end system. That’s unfortunate but that’s what it is. There’s a reason for the increase of loudness since the 80s, louder recordings sound better with earbuds. Put the same recording on a really good system and it will sound flat and boomy.

[@daikuone]

Mark we have all been there. I remember AE, And I was impressed with them back in the day.

[@NiekopTube]

I'm a musician and was always very interested in good audio quality (say, modest High End). But Music was... my first love (you guessed it!). I can easily switch from listening to music from a very simple radio or other small equipment to my complete good system. If you listen to music, your tolerance towards quality is elastic, I think.

[@hdibart]

This was terrific,very freeing.

[@armanddimeo6575]

I am an audiophile but have a much more conservative approach. If I find something I like, I just stick with it. You save a lot of money that way. Nothing is perfect and nothing is going to lead you to audio nirvana.

[@vladimirraicevic1165]

Just GREAT

[@boris994]

Beautiful Maria MacKee and her band!

[@mkwilson38]

Takin’ it on down to pillow town!!

[@bluelines1792]

Mark is quite the open book. Another book for Steve's library.

[@zmikem53]

I’ve been an audiophile for over 50+ years now.. The one lesson to share is, I spent a lot of money only to learn, You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get great sound..

[@ujean56]

If only I was so rich. I'd change up regularly too. Oh well, Steve's videos will do. Great story - thanks Steve.

[@sbrazenor2]

I listen to music for the appreciation of the music. If I can listen to the music on better quality gear, awesome, but for the most part I just enjoy the music. Because of the work that I do, I'm often either listening to the music from my phone patched into a car stereo or via bluetooth. I can't imagine spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on equipment like some other people do.

[@scottdavis0801]

I just bought a pair of Thiel cs 1.2 off of CL for $200. I am really digging the hell out of the sound. Maybe because I expected nothing, I don't know. But these sound sensational with my Fisher 400 receiver!!

[@MsCorbacho]

i wish i had had only 10 audiophile speakers,..don't know precise how many, but i can tell more than 70 pair for shure…...just crazy , is a never ending circle of , the next one is going to be better,....when most part of times is a side step. I now am better with that now , maybe from age :)…...I now enjoy more music and worry less about perfection on sound.

[@garylawrence3873]

Where’s part 2? This will save me money -in theory !

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Part 2 runs tomorrow

[@kbital6884]

Martin Logan Vantage : Stopped my speaker journey . They play anything from AC/DC to ? --you name it . They still manage to impress me after 10 years

[@CheekyFest]

It's all about the music & emotion. If you don't enjoy the music, what's the point?

[@orfeomonteverdi1997]

Obviously Mark should spend the next 10 years with amazing Harbeth M30.2 A true music-lover speaker. No need to punish yourself with Sony + earbuds.

[@alansalas3054]

Great video, hello Mark did you worked at Helmsley-Spear in the late 70's?

[@jlm8699]

Listen to the f*n music, not your rig... I'm guilty as charged for many years.. Ex.."Satisfaction" blaring on AM radio cruising down the strip... Sounds incredible man!

[@afrog2666]

In all fairness, a lot of 128kb/s music can sound pretty alright depending on the recording and what you play it on, the term "forgiving" might be a valued one to have though, should you want to play 128 kb/s music hehe. I have some Sony heapdhones (and a host of other brands) that deal with low bitrate mp3 quite well, and they get a lot of use because the sound signature is very "friendly" and non--fatiguing, so they`re well suited for casual listening, youtube videos and hour long phonecalls. Another positive thing about that signature is that after a while, going back to more revealing, detailed, clear, bright, airy, wide, nuanced or even just neutral sounding headphones, make them sound even better. We get used to all sorts of things, we adapt, it`s kind of what humans do, so it`s important to switch things up once in a while, it really makes you appreciate the different sounding gear a lot more ;)

[@luctardif8444]

So interesting, thanks Marc. As a audiophile I like sound, if a recording is not good I stop to listen to it. Sad !

[@jaydawg7820]

My first experience with real HiFi .. back in the late 70s a friend (16yrs old) bought a Marantz 200watt stereo amplifier and a pair of Infinity RS tower Giant speakers he put in his 10x12 bedroom (that had a full mattress and could barely squeeze between the bed and the stereo) and the first album we listened to was Dark Side of the Moon .... when i saw those speakers bouncing and felt them pounding my chest ... i was Hooooked lol

[@rothschildianum]

It is totally correct, with a good system, I hate to listen to bad recordings even if I like the music.

Regarding Thiels, how many excelent and expensive speakers were thrown away just for not investing in some bass traps. What is the problem audiophiles have with good acoustic treatment,??

[@dstjepan]

Yeeeey! I am digital only. Apple music with DAC (cobalt) sounds acceptable. Tidal is not any better up to HiFi level (master is a bit better, but not so many offering). For hi-res audio-sessions, when I have time, desire and I am alone at home :-) I use FLAC on the disk in the network, via iPad, Cobalt into Atoll IN100 to Klipsch RP-600M (moving up to RP-5000F)...

[@aorakiboydog]

Great interview

[@indauroleal7953]

I have been on the same rollercoaster in the course of one day, after I purchased a turntable My conclusion is: I would rather deal with bitrates than with vinyl heartbreak!

[@kingtubby999]

Mark seems like a nice guy

[@tonys4396]

Should have listened to some transmission line loudspeakers like Acoustic Zen.

[@Merlin-wo1kj]

Platinum Audio Reference 1'S spec to about 40 hz +/- 3db. I wonder how he's claiming low 30 hz in room ? Especially with them that far out from the walls.. .

[@MrRocktuga]

If I understood it correctly, John Atkinson measured that in a listening room, not on this specific room and placement.

[@Merlin-wo1kj]

@@MrRocktuga That would make more sense, maybe in a small room. Even a modest 50-60 lb. Floor standing speaker would struggle to give solid bass response below 35 hz in an open area.

[@joshski85]

For me the music always comes way before the gear. Don't get me wrong, great gear takes the music to a whole new level, but there are many people out there who are purely in it for the show factor and IMO they're missing out on what it's really about. I'm not including engineer minded people who are fascinated by how sound is produced in this. That's a whole other thing and I totally get that.

[@MichelLinschoten]

My past is pretty much the same, I was 20 when I owned a mcintosh rack on a kappa 9. Now 20 years further, stepped away from all the ridiculous drivel high end sells. . I got a system now that destroys anything I had in the past, had a 6 year break previous from it all too. Interesting to hear the similarities with my own

[@myronhelton4441]

your thiel & vandersteen were your best speakers because they have first order crossovers.

[@StewartRealty]

Mr. Audiophiliac Would you recommend the ps sprout with klipsch 600m for listening to old punk records and some streaming?

[@MostlyBuicks]

I am an audiophile for 45 years. When I listen to my main system the recording has to sound pretty good. But when I listen on my office system, garage system, car stereos or bedroom system the sound quality does not matter. So I have it BOTH ways. No need to go one or the other. Audio sound more like music when recorded well. Earbuds sound NOTHING like music (real unamplified live music that is).

[@randys435]

This is exactly what I would have written except for I have been an audiophile for over 50 years.

[@cliffordcostley9798]

Do either of you have experience with Shahinian Acoustics from Bohemia, New York?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I liked them 30 years ago.

[@cliffordcostley9798]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac They say that what they make today could not be made 30 years ago. Perhaps you could re-visit them. To showcase something completely different. And they are relatively local. Thank you for your quick response and great shows.

[@samuelsalins8309]

Interesting 🔉👍

[@JEG6919]

I've been a proud non-audiophile my entire life. Card carrying member in fact.

[@integralogic]

One day you'll get a nice pair of headphones and realize that there's more to music. Until then, ignorance is bliss

[@JEG6919]

0 1 You know not what you speak of. Unsurprising.

[@flotinaway7]

If you enjoy the music then it matters not a jot...my Denon DM40 stereo still gives me goosebumps when I hear a fab tune.

[@afborro]

And long may it continue. :)

[@trekjudas]

I'm a proud audiophile! I embrace it proudly!

[@chocolatejellybean2820]

I relate to all of this..

[@Imhalfamazing]

This should be really boring , but it's not. An audiofile saying a 128 rip sounds good, that's greatness.

[@andershammer9307]

Still love my Acoustat X's

[@explorinlearnindoing5462]

Do you still have them? Or did you do some upgrades? What do you suggest... I have Martin Logan CLS II speakers but think about Acoustat monitor x or 4...

[@andershammer9307]

@@explorinlearnindoing5462 I still have and use them. The special amps they came with have been modified many times but the speaker panels are unchanged. I've heard new high-end stereo systems and they don't sound as good. Bass is incredible and there are no subwoofers.

[@andershammer9307]

The Monitor 4's require a larger room. If you have a large room I recommend them. A friend of mine is selling his with an ARC SP3A preamp.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

I sounds like he fell into the same rabbit hole a lot of audiophiles fall into with changing his Equiment so often. The changing of equipment is good, but when you keep changing out very expensive equipment then you’re not doing it for the music you’re doing it to show off to other audiophiles how much money you have.. seen this happen a lot.

[@rickmilam413]

I find I always relax with Prozac speakers.... (Sorry, couldn't resist). Simple slip of the tongue, of course.

[@Vazhaspa]

In other words: AUDIOPHILE = 'love for audio equipment" rather than loving proper music!

[@kohnfutner9637]

That does explain how many "audiophiles'" actions and behavior could be interpreted. They are forever changing or adding equipment. I suppose they heard a recording that they weren't quite pleased with, heard the same disturbing "sound signature" in another song and it was time to change gear.

[@trekjudas]

Yeah because doing both is obviously impossible.

[@trekjudas]

Sherloid Bai the idea that audiophiles aren’t music lovers is a false dichotomy. Also bullshit.

[@amb3cog]

Really! That's the conclusion you've drawn from this? 😲 You should go find all of your teacher's that are still alive. And pimp slap the snot out of them for doing you so wrong!

[@trekjudas]

20 years ago I looked at like I was a crazy person for buying records. Everyone thought I was either a DJ or just weird. Now vinyl has made a comeback and suddenly it's not so weird. I don't know if home audio will ever make the same kind of comeback but when it does it will no longer be considered weird.

[@estebanmedaglia4506]

Loved this video! So true. I am going through something similar myself, to be honest. My system has Sonus Faber Elipsas SE's, a McIntosh MA8900 solid state integrated, a Prima Luna DiaLogue One tube integrated, an Oppo 105, Nordost cables, etc... and yet, I have been listening to my FIIO M11 a LOT more than the "big" system, and loving every second. We are also contemplating a house move, and none of the homes we are looking at have large rooms, which seem to be a rarity in our region these days... In other words, my Elipsas would not fit... so the idea of saying"to hell with it" and selling it all, then using my portable player has been very tempting lately.

[@JeffLevy99]

I used to think I was sort of an audiophile when I was younger, like in my 20's (I am now 63). I have a similar story but I never have spent the kind of money you talk about. In my 20's I had a pair of Pioneer HPM-60's (I cannot bereave what they sell for now.). Then I bought a pair of Klipsch Heresy I's (which I still have) and a Technics SL-7 turntable. Ok, the 80's came and CDs took over and eventually MP3's and I lost interest. I thought music didnt sound as good on CDs and really bad in MP3 format. Fast forward to about 4 years ago. I got my turntable working and started putting my 500+ LPs to digital and compared the sound... like with software and I noticed there was a noticeable difference. Then I bought a few "High Res" albums from Tidal and was very disappointed. I also purchased a 180 gram album by America and it sounded terrible... I returned it! Then I started watching youtube reviews of equipment, and vinyl vs CD vs good quality High Res music and got hooked again. I have a Fios DAC/Player, a second SL-7 turntable and an audio Technica P120. I recently purchased the anniversary edition of Abby Road on CD and I am kinda disappointed in it. I mean I can hear the difference between it and the my old LP (I like the LP better). Anyway I think my journey has a ways to go. I recently purchased the a pair of ELAC 6.2 v2 speakers and an old Pioneer SA-6700 amp I am refurbishing... and I dream abount the high-end turntable that will fix all the weird things I hear on some of my LPs. But maybe weird is good.

[@seedood]

Let’s do part 2!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

seedood Part two comes up tomorrow

[@SubTroppo]

I live in Brisbane which is sub-tropical, so wearing on-ear or over the ear headphones is a sticky experience for most of the year. I want to know which non-intrusive cider-making-fruit-style earbuds to consider buying. Mark's ten years off is unfortunately my life listening experience although I do have very large speakers that entertain me. I was given them by someone who was under wifely pressure to get shot of them.

[@nostro1001]

Hmmmm....well Brisbane can certainly be hot and dry or rain, rain, rain....like right now. Everybody seems to use air con to beat the heat....no?

[@SubTroppo]

This old house is partially air-conditioned and only when it is very hot and humid. My preferred spot on the enclosed verandah is not cooled at all.

[@nostro1001]

@@SubTroppo Gotya.....plenty of selection to avoid the sweat of headphones in the world of iem's.

[@1ring2rule3pigs]

Music vs. Audio...what an interesting perspective. I'm a musician and onIy collect Sansuis because the music sounds better to me. Interestingly, I found the owners manual for some Sansui speakers and they DELIBERATELY crossed soundwaves to replicate a live music venue. Is Sansui for "critical listening "? No. I guess it's never been. It was for making music. No wonder everybody LOVES my Sansui system.

[@cunningtim]

I have Infinity RS 6 Kappas and think the bass is too boomy-I thought it was my small listening room.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Well I have the Kappa 7s and Kappa 8s and the bass is superlative. I just wonder if you or Mark even had the woofers refoamed? Please define "too boomy". I know what the problem is before he even gets into his system. His amps can't deliver the needed oomph to tighten up that bass. I have Bryston 7BSST2 monoblocks. They deliver.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

@@JohnDoe-np3zk Also, some bass traps may also help to reduce the bass node, but agree, amps that can do bass also help as it allows the bass to be much tighter and go deeper and that requires amps that can generate the dynamic range necessary to make it possible.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

@@johnhpalmer6098 these Kappas are very hard to drive. I've had them for many years and finally settled on Bryston and even there the monoblocks with 2x power make a big difference. Part of the problem is that people don't know what bass drums and bass guitar "should" sound like. Bookshelf speakers to 32 Hz. Really?

[@grass519]

Some Audiofiles sound good.

[@vicwahbyphotography4866]

Let the guy talk.

[@alexxbaudwhyn7572]

128k mp3s encoded in the early 2000s sounded good!?

[@edwarddodge7937]

Depends on what it was. Electronic music and pop: yes. Jazz and orchestral: not so much.

[@ze_german2921]

What about Klipsch KLF 30, 20?

[@jlmain5777]

Audio Therapy 5 cents.

[@scottlowell493]

Vandersteen and Thiel- almost polar opposites in presentation.

[@EARLandPEARL-c3i]

looks like he found a good compromise between the two extremes