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Part of what keeps high-end audio a marginal business is that the popular press flatly states that all audio equipment sounds the same: only features matter. However, by giving almost every product a positive review, the high-end audio press is essentially doing the same. Buying into fads such as multichannel setups just emphasizes the "features over quality" mentality. The high-end press likes to pretend it is better than the popular magazines, but in reality it (you) is part of the problem.

Without doubt, the diminishing number of neighborhood brick-and-mortar audio salons has given way to the tone-deaf and impersonal nature of Internet shopping.

Just when you think that you are done building the perfect system, you find out that there is another level of sound altogether to get to. As much as I love this hobby and sound reproduction in general, there has to be a limit. I guess we just need to decide when the 5% increase in sound isn't worth the extra 100% we need to spend.

None

I have gotta say that the main complaints would be: 1) Getting home with a sound you fell in love with in the showroom and having it not sound as good at home. 2)Dealing with the arrogant salesperson that thinks you are more concerned with his opinions than your own. 3)Reading reviews in a magazine that claim the equipment is better than it really is. 4)The most frustrating problem in high-end audio is trying to find the "Holy Grail" sound when you have had it for years!

Often, I am not able to compare a fair selection of competing products in the same store. I listen to one or two at one store, then I have to go to other stores to listen to others. This makes it hard to remember the sound, and the associated components are always different. I understand this is to be expected. The small numbers of high-end sales volumes make carrying a really broad selection of brands difficult for most retailers. Also, I sense many manufacturers try to avoid being put in head-to-head contests with certain competitors. The end result is that it is harder for me to find the right product.

In sound reproduction, it is physics, electronics, and acoustics, but it is really physic$, electronic$ and acou$tic$ and $$$$$nake oil too, me preciou$$$$!

The "snob" factor that exists in some shops and in some audiophiles minds; ie, the notion that more bucks spent necessarily equals a higher fi or more golden ears.

1) So-called equipment that is modular and can be up-graded to newer standards. Been burned twice by these claims. Never again. No piece of equipment is future-proof. 2) How about working out complete standards for a format before releasing any aspect of it? For example, DVD; with the release of DTS on DVD, forced to upgrade to another player that was enabled to read the DTS-enable bit. 3) Dreaded format wars: Beta vs VHS, SACD vs DVD-A, and now HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray. I'm usually a first-adopter but I'm totally sick of all the money I've wasted. From now on, I'm going to wait things out. You know what? I'm still most satisfied with listening to plain old CDs on my system.

Prices are mostly too expensive to convince yourself and your wife (yes, that important wife factor!) or even just consider against other similar quality but much cheaper products. I think high-end manufacturers have to consider some factors for decreasing their prices to more reasonable levels which are much more important than just quality + niche factor. You need some reasons for such a price reduction? Here is the list: China factor, Home theater systems' domination in our way of life, MP3 players, very short period of time (especially for married people) spent listening to music to realize that performance difference against much cheaper products or your already existing system. Okay, you may be a single person and have thousands of CDs and dedicate your life to music and high-end audio systems (being 100% true audiophile), but how many people living on earth fit such criteria? There are so many high-end audio manufacturers and they can not be fed by such small population. This is sad but true. So, they either need to drop their profits and try to survive or be bought by other powerful groups in time and continue their lives until next crisis time comes. For many business sectors, those good profit days are gone. So, audio companies have to wake uo before it's too late!

I have two things. First, and probably most relevant to the question, the snobs. Second, the fact that it is dying; that is, people care less and less about sound quality. But then again, I wasn't around when hi-fi first came about, so I don't really know if people's interest in sound quality has decreased, or if they just have gotten more distracted with other things, like movies, surfing the net, videogames. Not that there's anything wrong with any of those activities! In fact, on a complete sidetrack, gamers may be the next batch of audiophiles. Laugh now, but have you seen a crowd, next to audiophiles, more concerned with the smallest details, and constantly spending gobs of money to improve those details? Audiophiles, be nice to gamers...

It amazes me how "music industry" execs, don't have a passion for, or listen to music. They worship and listen to accountants and marketing spinsters.

Media manufacturers. I knkow they need to cover the expenses of licensing the formats that they choose to employ, but by pricing the newer formats into an early grave, most people get denied the opportunity to discover such an awesome sound. SACD sounds nice, but I can only name one person who even knows what it is. Most stores have already stopped carrying it. It's the same with DVD-A. I think we've lost a great opportunity in the war against low bit-rate MP3s.

The cost!!

I even like Arne :)

It has become increasingly difficult to audition products in which I am interested. In the next 12 to 18 months, I will need a new phono cartridge. Hearing the cartridges, never mind hearing them in my tonearm and table, is just impossible. I will end up chosing a cartridge I can hear rather than really review the products available.

Too many overpriced "statement" components from audio companies. The value-priced audio enthusiast market is not as well represented as it was in years past. Too many manufacturers have a large number of "upscale" audiophile products. What will happen is that the last of the baby boomers will go from their peak earning years to retirement and this whole industry will collapse under its own weight. The Chinese manufacturers are rubbing their hands together already.

Insufficient bank ballance.

The software. Isn't it about time that a set of standards apply to recorded music? Volume level comes to mind. So does harshness and bass bloat. What about the printed material that is often unreadable? And how about track listings on the back cover along with track running times and writer credit? Does else have any thoughts?

Now that the entire editorial content of Stereophile is online, is there any reason to subscribe to the print version?

S. Fla. Worst: 1. Audio dealers. I recently looked at where to buy absolute sound, 3 Miami listings were not listed in the phone book. I went to a high end dealer Sat. He had a pair of speakers of interest. He would not set them up so I could give a listen. I quess he wanted me to pay $2,500. for something he wasn't willing to set up. CRAZY. 2. software availabilty is limited. Havew to go all the way to Miami for the only decent store. VIRGIN.

Switching my power cables, because it always sets off a chain reaction of other cables moving; thus requiring repositioning them so as to be high enough off the ground and not touching one another.

Entrance fees ;)

The expression, "You haven't really heard x album until you've listened to it through y speakers." As if great music cannot be appreciated through a lousy AM radio.

IT COSTS TOO MUCH!!

Stereophile!

Despite the good will of many audiophiles, the disconnect between "hi-fi" and "mid-fi" or "mainstream" seems to be growing as technology advances. More time spent justifying expenditures and arguing formats means less time spent enjoying music. Why can't an "audiophile" enjoy less than CD-quality MP3 with the windows down at 75 mph? Why can't a "non-audiophile" sit down and listen to his/her favorite album on a rig that may bring out detail he/she has never heard, and see if he/she likes that? I'm sure there's a little of both sides in everyone reading this.

Spending big money to listen to poorly recorded music.

I hate the insanely high prices of much gear. But what I really hate is how about everyone in their advertisements shows their gear (usually speakers) without any interconnects or speaker wire in the shot. Yeah, it looks nice if you're going to do nothing but display it!

The problems begin with the name: "high-end audio." It immediately connotes high price and snobbery.