dave weil wrote:

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 16:52:01 -0400, Howard Ferstler
wrote:

dave weil wrote:

There ya go. So why is *your* "overkill" any better than some rich
software develper's overkill $20,000 amp and marble foyer?

Because his expenditure, at least for that amp, has gained
him nothing.

Sure it has. If you think really hard, you might figure out what it
is.

Yeah, I know all about the pride of ownership issue. Bunk.

And actually, you aren't an "audio buff", you are a guy who uses audio
to supplement your income.

Kind of. Actually, my wife says I should give up the
writing, because I can get a lot more post-retirement cash
from doing something else. She is right.

However, trust me: I really am an audio buff.

So, does this mean that you are going to "give up" your overkill
systems?

No. And none of them are overkill.

Make up your mind.

They are just right for
me.

As is a stereo system costing $200,000 for someone who makes a million
a year.

In spite of your take on rich people being able to spend
huge sums on audio gear and that not being all that silly,
given that the amounts are trivial to them, I believe that
there are absolutes when it comes to spending on audio gear.

Yes, a millionaire might not feel pinched by spending 200
grand on an audio rig, but I think he is still being
idiotic. There is more here than the percentage spent in
relation to his wealth.

Overkill would be spending twenty grand (or even two
grand) on a stereo power amp, or spending hundreds (or even
thousands) on wires.

Overkill FOR YOU (and me, for that matter) and your income level,
that's for sure.

See the above comments. If some nitwit spends way, way more
than he needs to in order to get top-tier results, then he
is a nitwit no matter how rich he is.

Given the
absolutely nitwit level so-called "serious" audio has sunk
to over the years, it just is not as interesting for me as
it once was. Every time I pick up an audio magazine
(including even the ones I write for) I roll my eyes and
wonder how it has all come to this.

Here's a hint. Do what *I* do - don't pick up an audio magazine unless
necessary.

I scope some of them on the newsstands (although most of the
time I scope woodworking magazines or car and motorcycle
mags), and probably will not resubscribe to any that come my
way now. Not really all that interesting anymore.

You're actually SUBSCRIBED? That's more than I am, that's for sure.

Well, I get some free of charge: comp copies.

Howard Ferstler