On Apr 7, 6:51 pm, "Arny Krueger" wrote:
"MINe109" wrote in message
On Apr 7, 6:31 am, "Arny Krueger"
wrote:
"MiNe 109" wrote in message
Here's Jon Iverson on the subject:
http://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/607awsi/
Ahh, more of the same old, same old self-congratuation:
"Audiophiles Perfect What The Mass Market Selects"
Audiophiles had zero to do with real technical progress
in this area. They're still whining about the lack of
audiophile-grade capacitors and the fact that
perceptual coding is endemic in the modern music
industry.
Which iPods have the Wolfson converters?
Wofson is hardly a golden-ears company. They are essentially the UK Cirrus.
I was under the impression they were interested in the audio
capability of their chips or at least emphasize it in their marketing:
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_880048295...P_3b0052c4.HTM
"High performance audio is the foundation of Wolfson's AudioPlus
growth strategy. Building upon this foundation, Wolfson's AudioPlus
strategy integrates incremental mixed-signal technology and key
elements of the audio signal chain to enable new or improved end user
experiences."
"The equation looks like this: More downloads + iPods =
more music fans + more potential audiophiles.
That would be more music lovers.
Some of whom prefer better sounding programs.
Meaning?
Bell curve. Bigger bell, more outliers, more audiophiles.
That's kinda audiophile.
Still, rising water floats all boats.
More audiophiles eventually drive the market for
better-sounding, audiophile-grade downloads.
A nascent market if there ever was one.
We'll see how Linn makes out.
Bad example, they don't have to profit at Hi Rez downloads to stay in
business.
Good example, they offer high res downloads, create new business.
Thus, more downloads = audiophile downloads."
That's like saying that selling more CDs will lead to
more LP sales.
It has led to high quality lps being a larger percentage
of the lp market segment.
There is really no such thing as a LP market segment. It's a niche.
Okay, it has led to high quality lps being a larger percentage of the
lp market niche.
What's the official threshold for niche vs segment?
He uses earbuds as an example of how consumers
eventually seek higher quality in new market categories.
All of the best products mentioned in that paragraph -
Shure, Etymotic, and Ultimate Ears started out as
professional tools. The fact that someone has the
churtzpah to try to sell $900 IEMs is about customer
hysteria, not technological improvement or better sound
quality.
Consumers turn to pro stuff in search of better quality
playback.
So far so good.
How is that "hysteria"? Doesn't pro stuff actually sound as good or
better?
There were no things as $900 IEMs to speak of, until the audiophiles showed
up.
Thank you for making Iveson's argument.
Stephen