Cost of living crisis and hi-fi

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I think the majority of people on this site have stonkingly good music systems.

I feel for the under 35s as they struggle to get on the housing ladder. My eldest had to save 36k up and then needed help from me, currently 13k and likely to be nearer 20k. That to get a 2 bed flat in need of renovation.

The people without large pensions, I do feel for them, but so many of my contemporaries failed to plan for not working, in my case I put 10% of my salary for 35 years and the businesses matched it. I have friends who have pension pots less than 40k, 2k a year and the state pension is not a lot to live off.

 

[StingRay]

I think the majority of people on this site have stonkingly good music systems.

I feel for the under 35s as they struggle to get on the housing ladder. My eldest had to save 36k up and then needed help from me, currently 13k and likely to be nearer 20k. That to get a 2 bed flat in need of renovation.

The people without large pensions, I do feel for them, but so many of my contemporaries failed to plan for not working, in my case I put 10% of my salary for 35 years and the businesses matched it. I have friends who have pension pots less than 40k, 2k a year and the state pension is not a lot to live off.

Yes and if you changed jobs then you lost out, as pension was often based on leaving salary. My pensions are pretty poor, despite paying in since 25 years old, doubt I will have enough to live off, council tax alone is nearly £2k.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

I'm near the end of my working life. Most of it has been spent hankering after stuff, saving for it, then buying it. I'd like to think I'm now done with all that. I'm looking forward to just enjoying myself, but not having to spend shedloads in future to do so. I can imagine spiralling energy costs, food bills and council tax plus the inexorable decline into old age spoiling all that, but hell, I've tried.

 

[thearc]

The people without large pensions, I do feel for them, but so many of my contemporaries failed to plan for not working, in my case I put 10% of my salary for 35 years and the businesses matched it. I have friends who have pension pots less than 40k, 2k a year and the state pension is not a lot to live off.

Yep, self employed, have been furiously squirrelling savings into pensions and investments for the past decade as I'd blithely sailed through my 30s and half my 40s without thinking about the future (plus I couldn't really afford a future until I was into my 40s). But given the spiralling cost of everything it all feels a bit pointless. The value of what I've put away is being eroded and the returns won't match the reduction. Hard times ahead for a lot of us I think.

 

[tackleberry]

New prices going up, used prices going down. Manufacturers that don’t increase their prices will soon be out of business.

Would you say used prices are dropping? Where have you seen this??

 

[Southeastern]

Used prices are very high at the moment.

The only difference is, people are not buying. So we may see a used price drop at some point, but with the RRP prices going higher and higher, this will support the preowned market, at least for a while.

 

[bandit pilot]

Do you vote Conservative by any chance?

No need to be nasty

 

[bandit pilot]

Used prices are very high at the moment.

The only difference is, people are not buying. So we may see a used price drop at some point, but with the RRP prices going higher and higher, this will support the preowned market, at least for a while.

This

 

[ozzric]

It seems some of the manufacturers are also looking at the cost of running HiFi equipment, turning away from Class A. I found this article on the web recently:

"Audionote UK has given us an exclusive look at the new streaming platform - the SUTORIMA due for general release later this year. We are told that Sutorima translates as ‘Streamer’ in Japanese.

This intriguing all-in-one box design follows on the coat tails of the Cobra amplifier but goes further with the inclusion of a streaming module based on a Raspberry Pi mini computer, with a new dedicated plug-in DAC module created by chief designer Andy Grove.

If you already have a good DAC, the SUTORIMA has both coaxial and USB outputs.

However- The internal DAC and Class-D (Yes you read that right) amplifier output stages sound absolutely correct as a one box solution. Just add speakers! An initial listen reveals the SUTORIMA to be much more organic sounding than the Cobra, and a full review is being prepared.

It will be compatible with APT-X, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon, Deezer and Roon.



Peter Qvortrup has released the details with the following statement :

“The new German Infineon MA12070 amplifier chip is used in the output stage of the Sutorima. This chip, which can output 2x80W under 4 volts has a Class D design that allows for 92 percent efficiency. This is what the world needs now in the face or rising energy costs and climate change, a real move away from wasteful class A inefficient designs.”

 

[StingRay]

This

Not what I’m seeing on the WAM, things are not selling at all quickly and prices are dropping certainly for items over £1,000, even some cheaper speakers which look very good value are hanging around.

 

[bandit pilot]

Not what I’m seeing on the WAM, things are not selling at all quickly and prices are dropping certainly for items over £1,000, even some cheaper speakers which look very good value are hanging around.

There's currently too much choice in that price bracket. Add to that the astronomical costs now involved with sending anything overseas in any direction.
Lastly, we're a shrinking niche. Most of us are well sorted for kit while the queues for our hand-me-downs is rapidly shrinking.
Money is still moving about in some areas.

 

[hifinutt]

yes the fact that interest rates are edging up and the bills are rising massively really does mean one is counting the pennies to a greater degree

 

[Southeastern]

It seems some of the manufacturers are also looking at the cost of running HiFi equipment, turning away from Class A. I found this article on the web recently:

"Audionote UK has given us an exclusive look at the new streaming platform - the SUTORIMA due for general release later this year. We are told that Sutorima translates as ‘Streamer’ in Japanese.

This intriguing all-in-one box design follows on the coat tails of the Cobra amplifier but goes further with the inclusion of a streaming module based on a Raspberry Pi mini computer, with a new dedicated plug-in DAC module created by chief designer Andy Grove.

If you already have a good DAC, the SUTORIMA has both coaxial and USB outputs.

However- The internal DAC and Class-D (Yes you read that right) amplifier output stages sound absolutely correct as a one box solution. Just add speakers! An initial listen reveals the SUTORIMA to be much more organic sounding than the Cobra, and a full review is being prepared.

It will be compatible with APT-X, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon, Deezer and Roon.



Peter Qvortrup has released the details with the following statement :

“The new German Infineon MA12070 amplifier chip is used in the output stage of the Sutorima. This chip, which can output 2x80W under 4 volts has a Class D design that allows for 92 percent efficiency. This is what the world needs now in the face or rising energy costs and climate change, a real move away from wasteful class A inefficient designs.”

Trust Audionote to make a modern device like a streamer look like a relic from the worst design period of all eternity, the 70's.

 

[zirconium]

I have recently made some upgrades but, being on a fixed income with the continuing price increases, I am going to focus next more on improvements via software rather than hardware i.e. I will be learning how to use Audiolense for speaker/room correction rather than upgrading my speakers.

 

[Klassik]

Trust Audionote to make a modern device like a streamer look like a relic from the worst design period of all eternity, the 70's.

At least a 1970s amplifier would have a volume pot instead of those bloody buttons for a volume control. That thing looks like a hybrid of the worst of the 1970s and the worst of the 1980s.

 

[kernow]

I think the majority of people on this site have stonkingly good music systems.

Aw thanks

 

[White Zombie]

The companies putting under £50 worth of components under the chassis will be alright. They have a fanbase who maintain they are good...and will still pay over a 1k for their product. Personally I have reassessed my attitude to hifi & will keep it real. If I sniff the story is greater than the product the company has lost me.

Such as? Only asking as I have no idea what the actual value of what's inside the components I have.

 

[pmcuk]

Used prices are very high at the moment.

The only difference is, people are not buying.

This.

 

[garn63]

Such as? Only asking as I have no idea what the actual value of what's inside the components I have.

Sorry mate...I wont mud sling. Everything is made to a price but some are having a laugh. Ask Google the right questions & see what you come up with ? Would you be happy say, if the capacitors used in your amp were the cheapest available..& yet you enjoyed the sound ?

 

[bigfish786]

personally, I won’t be affected by the crisis when it comes to hifi. I’ve just bought new speakers and the rest of my stuff is relatively new. So I’m good for a while. if, in a few years time I decide to upgrade again, then I can see that being very expensive, and I probably won’t get much more (quality) for double what I’ve already spent. Luckily I am very happy with what I have. Barring a total failure, I think I’m set.