Review of Benchmark DAC1/AKG K701 System

[Ajani]

True, but so what. Who's denying it and why is it a problem? The audio hobby is all about the equipment and it's lots of fun. Researching, demo'ing, buying, swapping, critquing...all great fun. Music is another great hobby. I have both. I think most audiophiles have both hobbies. They are different hobbies. I see no reason why they should be mutually exclusive.
Now if you spending money you can't afford or are just finding the audio hobby frustruating, then by all means, don't engage. But, people seem to think that abandoning the hobby in the pure pursuit of music is somehow morally superior. It's not. It's just a different way to spend your time and money.

I'm not picking on AA here, but the question he poses in this thread:

Music lovers

is what guys like myself and Worf (presumably) are talking about. The belief held by many audiophiles, that you can't be a music lover unless you have a "high quality" system.

As dramatic as my post sounded, the aim was not to say that we should all abandon the audiophile (electronics) hobby, but to remind us that a love of and enjoyment of music does not require never ending upgrades, and bankruptcy.

Audiophiles traditionally claim the love of music as the reason for this hobby. I dispute that claim. Love of Electronics, tweaking and gadgets is IMO the real driving force behind Audiophilia.

[poppachubby]

I'm not picking on AA here, but the question he poses in this thread:

Music lovers

is what guys like myself and Worf (presumably) are talking about. The belief held by many audiophiles, that you can't be a music lover unless you have a "high quality" system.

As dramatic as my post sounded, the aim was not to say that we should all abandon the audiophile (electronics) hobby, but to remind us that a love of and enjoyment of music does not require never ending upgrades, and bankruptcy.

Audiophiles traditionally claim the love of music as the reason for this hobby. I dispute that claim. Love of Electronics, tweaking and gadgets is IMO the real driving force behind Audiophilia.

Uhhhh, hey man. I think you didn't get AA's post. He didn't say anything about high quality, but rather, that extremely low quality presents an issue.

[Ajani]

Uhhhh, hey man. I think you didn't get AA's post. He didn't say anything about high quality, but rather, that extremely low quality presents an issue.

Oh no, I got it.... and I should clarify: when you refer to things as extremely low quality, you are starting down a slippery slope... In AA's case he is referring to the cheapest of the cheap (laptop computer speakers and freebie headphones that come with your ipod)... However, Audiophiles with far more expensive setups than what AA has, will often refer to his gear as low quality... it's a slope... so that's why I differentiate between love of music and love of equipment...