On 27/07/2020 9:55 pm, Peter Wieck wrote:
https://trueaudiophile.com/hb-cable-design-powerslave-marble-statement-power-center/
I have been know to be a wee bit snarky when it comes to "high-end" peripheral devices. Lest anyone think I do not have my reasons - please check the link.
**And justifiably so. It is the result of several factors:
Back in the early 1908s, when Monster Cable™ made it's arrival into the scene, it was marketed, not to buyers, but to retailers. This was a very
clever strategy. Retailers were told that, rather than giving s few
Metres of speaker cable to customers for free, they could actually make
a profit from the stuff. Monster Cable™ was nothing special. In fact,
there were far superior cables available at the time (Tocord™ for
instance), however, it was marketed very well. Anyway, Monster Cable™
became entrenched and others have duplicated it's success. A new
industry, based on smoke and mirrors (mostly) was born. The ignorant
lapped it up and the greedy retailers all went out and bought Ferraris.
So, no different to fashion and many other industries.
Times have been tough on the AV industry in the last couple of decades. Particularly for the high end part. The realisation that a quality
amplifier manufactured in 1980 doesn't sound any worse than a quality
amp manufactured in 2020, a quality CD player built in 1990 doesn't
sound any worse than one built yesterday and turntables haven't advanced
since 1975 has really caused some serious angst. People are just not
spending money.
Then there's discounting. The public has expected to buy everything at a discount. It's not 1970 anymore. No one sells anything at full price
(with the possible exception of Bose and B&O - in Australia anyway).
Retailers don't make a lot of money on each item anymore. Enter: Fancy
cables, expensive power conditioners and the rest. Whilst profit margins
on TVs, hi fi systems, etc hover around 7% ~ 10% (Again, here in
Australia), the margins available on gee-gaws, cables and the like run
to around 300% ~ 1000%. It's how retailers survive.
I'm not defending them. Just explaining.
--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
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