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Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 16:31:43 GMT
I have recently come across the YouTube channel of PS Audio and like it very much. Their guvnor, Paul McGowan, is really quite engaging - there’s just something about his style that I like.
He’s not preaching, or overly dogmatic and just gives his opinion in a very relaxed way. He’s careful to drop in plenty of ‘product placement’ as you will see but I can forgive that …
Here’s an interesting starter for 10 - “What has happened to high-end audio?"
So his premise is basically that the ‘golden age’ of audio will never be repeated, at least not in the same way - it used to be down to all powerful high-end dealers dominating the market whereas now that has swung round to the manufacturers themselves. He refers to those dealers who were well versed in the dark arts of ‘system tuning’ but are now all fallen by the wayside. I like his story about such a dealer who could conjure up miraculous sounding systems without even a choice in it for you!
His answer to this is for companies like his own to expand into offering entire systems whereby they can be sure that everything works together in perfect harmony. I’m sure this would be a great business solution for them if it works, for obvious reasons, but is it great news for punters? Would you find this appealing? I can’t say that I find it overly exciting, because I actually quite enjoy matching gear from different manufacturers to get the sound I would like. But I can imagine that there could well be a market for what he is proposing - a 'one stop shop' for the high end where all the guess work is taken out for you. People with the cash but not the time could well go for that.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 19, 2019 17:02:30 GMT
I've met Paul and he's a nice chap. I've been receiving his e-mailed thoughts on hi-fi almost daily and his grounded approach goes down very well.
As for single brand systems, I can think of none that would fulfil my needs. Those that make good electronics tend not to have good speakers and vice versa.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 19, 2019 20:36:53 GMT
I think the PS Audio reply to that Martin might be the fact that they hire individual specialist designers for their different components so in theory no reason why their speakers shouldn't be competitive ...
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Post by The Brookmeister on Mar 19, 2019 20:37:20 GMT
I've met Paul and he's a nice chap. I've been receiving his e-mailed thoughts on hi-fi almost daily and his grounded approach goes down very well. As for single brand systems, I can think of none that would fulfil my needs. Those that make good electronics tend not to have good speakers and vice versa. Well let's see chief. They have a superb pre and power in the BHK's, and shortly a new streamer, you can use the DS DAC as a streamer if required with the Bridge fitted. PS Audio recently moved to a bigger factory as you may know to start loudspeaker production. So a full system from the same maker. Expensive obviously but breathtakingly good IMO as I have heard it although not with PS Audio speakers. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 19, 2019 21:38:27 GMT
Yes, but that's kind of supporting my point at the moment, David. When PS Audio do bring out speakers I look forward to hearing them with great interest.
I can't think of any other vendor offering a decent whole system approach but I'm sure others will.
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Post by SteveC on Mar 20, 2019 15:35:40 GMT
Yes, but that's kind of supporting my point at the moment, David. When PS Audio do bring out speakers I look forward to hearing them with great interest. I can't think of any other vendor offering a decent whole system approach but I'm sure others will. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 20, 2019 15:50:31 GMT
Fair enough, if a touch high end and more than a little obscure.
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Post by SteveC on Mar 20, 2019 15:54:34 GMT
I thought we were discussing high-end audio? Also, Tidal from Germany offer a full system solution! www.tidal-audio.com/ |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 20, 2019 16:44:04 GMT
Good point, but while a full PS Audio system may be accessible to a few enthusiasts, a full TAD system would be unreachable for almost everyone.
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Post by SteveC on Mar 20, 2019 16:59:43 GMT
Good point, but while a full PS Audio system may be accessible to a few enthusiasts, a full TAD system would be unreachable for almost everyone. I know a strange old gentleman in Chobham who owns one!  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 20, 2019 17:15:20 GMT
Good point, but while a full PS Audio system may be accessible to a few enthusiasts, a full TAD system would be unreachable for almost everyone. I know a strange old gentleman in Chobham who owns one! Whodat ?  Stupidly cheap compared to what I used to think was a top end system. How much would a Naim 5 series with DBL (!) speakers and Naim cables cost ? Got to be well over 100,000 Then there's them Naim power amps was it 100,000 each or similar ? Both TAD and PS Audio must be ahead on sound quality let alone VFM |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 20, 2019 18:09:22 GMT
Agreed there.
I had, of course, forgotten Naim and Linn. And now I'd like to forget them again.
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 20, 2019 18:37:02 GMT
Agreed there. I had, of course, forgotten Naim and Linn. And now I'd like to forget them again.  |
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 20, 2019 18:47:14 GMT
The one brand system concept seems to take most of the fun out of it for me.
Also, my own experiences of same-make systems are not positive.
Each brand tends to have a 'house sound', and multiple components with a similar sonic flavour multiply together and become exaggerated resulting in a pronounced colouration.
I recall enjoying a Krell integrated amp, so I decided to get a CD player from the same range.
They looked seriously cool together, but sonically the slight warm colouration of each combined to form a distinctly strong and unpleasant effect.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 20, 2019 20:19:14 GMT
Wot J said.
Another case in point - Audio Note. For me they have a very distinctive house sound. I found it engaging when I had one of their lesser valve preamps and it fitted in very nicely with my system, but listening to a full AN set up was way too coloured for my liking.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 21, 2019 10:22:29 GMT
Agree with both of you about Krell and Audio Note. They each make some excellent products but with a distinct tonal nature.
I didn't think Krell were selling speakers any more?
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