Last week, while reminiscing over a pair of old ESS speakers I have, I decided to re-enter the audiophile world with a new vigor. To make a long story short and to the point, I started with my sources. I decided on a particular model (unnamed) of turntable and narrowed my choices of CD players to three. I purchased my turntable based on many reviews and SPECIFICATIONS from many websites and felt very comfortable with my selection. Upon arrival, I quickly put the machine together noticing MANY differences from the published specifications from several of the websites, including the company's main page. The machine actually looked as though it had been returned. It's one of those feelings you get. Oh well, it was beautiful, solid and appeared to be spot on. Then I noticed the cartridge was different from every article I had read, including the company that sold it to me AND the manufacturers. So, I decided to call the manufacturer. Imagine my suprise when the individual who answered the phone was the man who designed it. I inquired about the cartridge and asked why a lesser one was included. I was interrupted and essentially told the following: (1) It doesn't matter! The cheaper one sounds better! (2) Specifications, why specifications? They don't matter! It's what it sounds like and this was MY decision! (Partially true). (3) channel separation and frequency response don't matter, again....it simply sounds better. 5db of channel separation doesn't matter? Why would the frequency response not be published? I'll tell you. It's probably that it won't meet 20hz-20khz plu/minus 3. Oh well, here we go. ANOTHER spec that doesn't matter. But it costs me another $50.00 if I want that published. This went on until I felt I was being chastised for wasting his time and inquiring at all. Well, I am not an engineer, however, I can assure you in the end, engineering and SPECIFICATIONS do matter. If not, then a lot of people have wasted their money on their education and are very overpaid for that education. In fact all of these surely don't matter. Wow and flutter? Nahhhhhh vacillate All you like. Rumble? Nahhh, how about an extra 20 db of motor, bearing and platter noise....That doesn't matter at all right? All I can say is I am keeping the source I chose, however my digital source (CD) will not be his. Ever! In fact one would expect a 1000.00 device to come with everything sealed and wrapped, unscathed and as advertised. Oh well so much for quality control. Another lost field that doesn't matter. Looks/sound do. When making your source choices, regardless of their reviews make your decision carefully. In fact, call and ask for the designer himself and audition "him" as closely as you would the equipment. Better yet, go to your favorite dealer, audition your source, tell him/her to REMOVE the more expensive cartridge and place on the cheaper one, then align it for you. After they finish laughing at you....and if they do it...remember the source/cartridge you just listened to. Now listen to the cheaper one (assuming) he/she swapped it. OK what's your memory retention for listening to a source for comparison? 5-10-15 minutes? I'm sure that might be close, however I am unsure. Just take your time and do MORE homework than I did. I thought I was thorough! I also just purchased my Maggie's which I am delighted with. That, was a very positive experience! I am now 50/50. :-(
I hope you all have fun in your endeavors with Hi-Fi. Even with this experience I will continue to enjoy my music....
Au revoir
Last week, while reminiscing over a pair of old ESS speakers I have, I decided to re-enter the audiophile world with a new vigor. To make a long story short and to the point, I started with my sources. I decided on a particular model (unnamed) of turntable and narrowed my choices of CD players to three. I purchased my turntable based on many reviews and SPECIFICATIONS from many websites and felt very comfortable with my selection. Upon arrival, I quickly put the machine together noticing MANY differences from the published specifications from several of the websites, including the company's main page. The machine actually looked as though it had been returned. It's one of those feelings you get. Oh well, it was beautiful, solid and appeared to be spot on. Then I noticed the cartridge was different from every article I had read, including the company that sold it to me AND the manufacturers. So, I decided to call the manufacturer. Imagine my suprise when the individual who answered the phone was the man who designed it. I inquired about the cartridge and asked why a lesser one was included. I was interrupted and essentially told the following: (1) It doesn't matter! The cheaper one sounds better! (2) Specifications, why specifications? They don't matter! It's what it sounds like and this was MY decision! (Partially true). (3) channel separation and frequency response don't matter, again....it simply sounds better. 5db of channel separation doesn't matter? Why would the frequency response not be published? I'll tell you. It's probably that it won't meet 20hz-20khz plu/minus 3. Oh well, here we go. ANOTHER spec that doesn't matter. But it costs me another $50.00 if I want that published. This went on until I felt I was being chastised for wasting his time and inquiring at all. Well, I am not an engineer, however, I can assure you in the end, engineering and SPECIFICATIONS do matter. If not, then a lot of people have wasted their money on their education and are very overpaid for that education. In fact all of these surely don't matter. Wow and flutter? Nahhhhhh vacillate All you like. Rumble? Nahhh, how about an extra 20 db of motor, bearing and platter noise....That doesn't matter at all right? All I can say is I am keeping the source I chose, however my digital source (CD) will not be his. Ever! In fact one would expect a 1000.00 device to come with everything sealed and wrapped, unscathed and as advertised. Oh well so much for quality control. Another lost field that doesn't matter. Looks/sound do. When making your source choices, regardless of their reviews make your decision carefully. In fact, call and ask for the designer himself and audition "him" as closely as you would the equipment. Better yet, go to your favorite dealer, audition your source, tell him/her to REMOVE the more expensive cartridge and place on the cheaper one, then align it for you. After they finish laughing at you....and if they do it...remember the source/cartridge you just listened to. Now listen to the cheaper one (assuming) he/she swapped it. OK what's your memory retention for listening to a source for comparison? 5-10-15 minutes? I'm sure that might be close, however I am unsure. Just take your time and do MORE homework than I did. I thought I was thorough! I also just purchased my Maggie's which I am delighted with. That, was a very positive experience! I am now 50/50. :-(
I hope you all have fun in your endeavors with Hi-Fi. Even with this experience I will continue to enjoy my music....
Au revoir