Is it just me, or are most "look at this new device" threads started by very new posters?

[FallenAngel]

Just as the title states, I've noticed time and again that most new devices (whether it be an amp, DAC, USB to S/PDIF converter, whatever), almost every single time, it's brought up by a very new member of the forum.

Is it that people who have been around for a while don't look for new things (which I'm sure isn't true as I regularly look for new stuff) or perhaps it's that new members search through SO much that they ask questions about gear that hasn't been reviewed.

What do you think? Am I delusional or or have others noticed the same?

* Little rant ahead *
Also, again, too many times to note, people have this completely idiotic idea that "newer" = "better". When did this happen? If you take a trash product that was designed yesterday, and compare it to a nice product designed a year ago, I'm pretty damn sure the nice one designed a year ago will win out. Even more subtle is the idea that "improved", "new version", etc of the same products will carry something to a new level of "actually worth it". I'd say almost every time, it's marketing bull and chances are, it's 99% identical but with a higher price tag and larger model number. As I love car comparisons - lets just say I'd take a 10 year old Porsche over a 1 year old Honda Civic any day.

 

[roadtonowhere08]

Not really aiming at anyone in particular, but it is shilling, plain and simple. I like all the heads up from them, but one would have to naive to believe that these new members are not associated with the product in some way.

 

[catachresis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif As I love car comparisons - lets just say I'd take a 10 year old Porsche over a 1 year old Honda Civic any day.

Sshhh! Some people already get this, but if you let the secret out, and, consequently, too many people become anachrophiles, those 10 year old Porsches and 25 year old Bentleys won't be so absurdly cheap to buy any more.

 

[Redcarmoose]

New stuff will be looked at only if liked by senior members which is kinda how it should be. To bad it is even here as this place should be for people who really care. The audio world has had B.S. forever. Some would say that there has not been one improvement just variations.

So is there a way to stop it? It may just be the sharks in the water we swim in. After time some may get burned-out and start other sites. I'm sure there are people breathing cleaner air at some underground site right now. That site is a small hick town and this is the big city with all the woes that come with it.

 

[MD1032]

Eh, I can't speak for other senior members, but if I had to make blatant assumptions, I'd say that most of us already have a pretty decent rigs and know about a fairly large amount of gear that we're already interested in in the future, so we don't go looking for new products the way the new members do (since they're new and old/new doesn't matter to them).

 

[havagr8da]

I would guess it is the nature of the beast. Big waters with all kinds, bottom feeders, top feeders, sharks, dolphin etc.

 

[Graphicism]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif * Little rant ahead * Also, again, too many times to note, people have this completely idiotic idea that "newer" = "better". When did this happen?

Would it not be a fare assumption to say we have advanced in technology? It seems a better graphic card comes out every month, can the same not be said for DACs and Amps? Are speakers not being built with better materials than 10 years ago? The obvious question is if not, why not? Have we reached a pinnacle point in audio technology or is it simply a lull as there is no interest?

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graphicism /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would it not be a fare assumption to say we have advanced in technology? It seems a better graphic card comes out every month, can the same not be said for DACs and Amps? Are speakers not being built with better materials than 10 years ago? The obvious question is if not, why not? Have we reached a pinnacle point in audio technology or is it simply a lull as there is no interest?

Unfortunately, no. New technology is not necessarily an improvement. Faster clock speeds and more (and cheaper) RAM win the day with computer tech, however, that does not necessarily translate to audio.

A lot of the New! Improved! products are retreads of older designs and offer little audible improvement over previous models. Of course, manufacturers and the trade rags supported by advertising prefer that you buy new rather than carefully select the used.

Speakers are a good point. Some advancement has been made due to computer modeling, but they're still very much the same old same old. The last new transducer design was probably the Manger, but even that has been out for some time. Before that was the AMT, from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

You can lament the lack of progress, but go listen to a 1972 AMT some time. They're pretty damn good. So is an ESL-57 from 1957 or any of the Klipsch designs that have been around for decades. Old Magnepans still impress, as well.

I think part of this is new members seeking new things and an eagerness to contribute. Which is a good thing - I like to see noobs get involved and then mature into serious listeners.

As for the older cars, ssshhh! I don't want to see prices climb on depreciated fun cars. I've been toying with spending about $5k on a convertible C4 Corvette. What could be more fun for cruising Highway 1?

 

[rangen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do you think? Am I delusional or or have others noticed the same?

Sure. Heck, I was one of them, not long ago, when I got my Woo. But I don't think there's any need to assume shilling. It's just that someone newer is likely to be excited about his new gear, and post his excitement. Why not?

Of course your point about older gear is valid. I like to say that a lot of people can afford a Porsche, you just subtract model years until you reach your price range. But it's also true that it's much harder to figure out what old gear is good. There just isn't the same level of available information and reviews. Further, I have the impression that what information there is about older gear tends to focus on a relatively narrow range, that has already been bid up.

 

[komi]

I follow this forum for long time ... Is not the same like when i joined for sure ...

Yes, there is a lot of guys who are here for wrong reasons!

 

[komi]

But, there is "ignore list" i found really usefull ....

 

[krmathis]

Certainly not just you!
I have noticed the same thing, and I am sure there are many reasons. Like:
* They find what they think is a really great device and have to share it.
* They do not search first and hence may end up starting a new thread instead of replying to an existing one.
* They are simply shillers.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Those of us who have "been around" may simply be jaded. Ho, hum...

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graphicism /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would it not be a fare assumption to say we have advanced in technology? It seems a better graphic card comes out every month, can the same not be said for DACs and Amps? Are speakers not being built with better materials than 10 years ago? The obvious question is if not, why not? Have we reached a pinnacle point in audio technology or is it simply a lull as there is no interest?

I agree with Uncle Erik. New doesn't necessarily equal better. Think of it like Metallica or Godsmack. Did they really get better with development and experience? I think they both were at their best in their earliest releases. They just became different like much of the new audio gear. The IEM market is just emerging, so they are an exception in that there is a flood of better stuff compared to years ago.

Graphics cards are a different thing altogether. PCs and graphics cards are vastly better year over year. It's simply a matter of making chips smaller, faster and keeping them cool. Audio is more of an art form since there are many different opinions on what sounds good.

 

[azncookiecutter]

All the older members most likely has a bunch of equipment already, which, to them, is good enough. Most of the times, it's the newer members perhaps over-hyping a particular item, due to the lack of experience, which I'm sure a lot of people are guilty of (including myself). Quite simply, it's the over-enthusiastic nature of owning a new toy that makes some members go a bit off the board with their praises or criticisms.