A few issues back one of TAS' writers did a review of a speaker that is only available direct. This particular reviewer provided a succinct summary of where your speaker dollars go when you buy from a dealer, and then went on to address the characteristics of the speaker. Basically, I thought it was a great review.

In the next issue of TAS there were indications that some retailers had raised hell about the above article. By the time the following issue arrived, it was apparent that the dealers had surrounded the place with pitchforks and torches in hand, because RH was falling all over himself professing TAS' support for high-end retailers.

Hey RH, the internet is here to stay. Direct marketing is here to stay. There are some awfully talented people out there who can produce some top-notch components, they just can't afford to keep a big inventory yet, and they can't afford to support a dealer network. Conversely, there are some more established manufacturers who use their dealers to avoid costs. Both approaches work well and have their place.

TAS needs to focus on the equipment, period. TAS is not in a position to influence the marketplace, and I thought it looked stupid for them to kiss butt in such an obvious fashion. Surely, they could have found a way to placate the complainers in a way that also acknowledged that the market will do what the market will do.

Now that I have vented, I'll go back to enjoying TAS.

 Is'nt there room for both? - Corbu 19:34:31 05/19/04 (0)
 In my - Brian Walsh 18:25:04 05/18/04 (3)
 Re: In my - RKPhillips 17:42:45 05/19/04 (0)

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Show full thread outline!

 Is'nt there room for both? - Corbu 19:34:31 05/19/04 (0)
 In my - Brian Walsh 18:25:04 05/18/04 (3)
 Re: In my - RKPhillips 17:42:45 05/19/04 (0)
 Gary's point is valid. - bwkendall 09:20:06 05/19/04 (0)
 I view you as . . . - psgary 20:56:55 05/18/04 (0)
 Re: TAS and manufacturers who sell by direct - hexenboden 06:39:27 05/18/04 (1)
 Yep, you read the review too! - bwkendall 09:44:31 05/18/04 (0)
 Re: TAS is sold by retail audio dealers... - mkuller 21:32:28 05/17/04 (9)
 Where do you think people are discovering high end audio today - on the internet? - Ivan303 20:02:25 05/23/04 (0)
 "Where do you think people are discovering high end audio today - on the internet?" - Doug Deacon 12:01:40 05/21/04 (4)
 Re: So where on the internet did you discover High End audio? (nt) - mkuller 14:30:23 05/21/04 (3)
 Re: So where on the internet did you discover High End audio? (nt) - Doug Deacon 13:13:28 05/25/04 (0)
 Re: So where on the internet did you discover High End audio? (nt) - Ivan303 20:11:13 05/23/04 (0)
 Among other places . . . - psgary 21:15:42 05/21/04 (0)
 The marketplace matures, - bwkendall 09:42:46 05/18/04 (0)
 Mail-order products - John Atkinson 04:25:29 05/18/04 (0)
 "Where do you think people are discovering high end audio today - on the internet?" - Todd B. 01:18:25 05/18/04 (0)
 Sorry about the typos..... one of my kittens was helping me - bwkendall 19:20:51 05/17/04 (4)
 Cinco or Maio? Taking bets on Maio as black - rcrump 08:49:58 05/18/04 (3)
 Give that man a prize! - bwkendall 09:39:38 05/18/04 (2)
 Figured as have two black ones and they like - rcrump 10:27:56 05/18/04 (1)
 You bring up an interesting point (indirectly) - bwkendall 15:28:15 05/18/04 (0)

"The corporate grip on opinion in the United States is one of the wonders of the Western world."

--Gore Vidal

Absolutely. That's what they'll do if they have in mind the consumer's interests, and not that of their advertisers.

The reviewer you refer to is Robert E Greene. I thought Harley's response was completely off course. Personally I do not think Harley is fit to be TAS' editor.

Falling all over themselves just looked bad.

Audio Advisor, Legacy and Outlaw are some examples of reputable direct sales companies who offer reasonably good support, great pricing and favorable return policies. I don't advocate buying direct for everyone, as you either have to know what you are doing or just be the average joe who has different expectations than you or I. In many cases, you can get extraordinary product for a fraction of the cost you would pay to a dealer. The offset, of course, is that real-time service and support.

I found my speakers on the internet. I researched them on the internet. I was given an in-home demo and, once I made my purchase decision, was given a set of demo speakers to use until the set I ordered to my own specs were made. I realize my situation is unique, but many of these so-called "internet retailers" are finding ways to succeed.

The bottom line is that for one reason or another, the market will support the direct-sales manufacturer as well as the high-end dealers that are out there. The marketplace is evolving, and TAS should have simply acknowledged that point instead of looking silly.

There are cruddy dealers who have store fronts and great dealers who operate out of their home or work through the internet.

Galen Carol is as pleasent and knowledgeable as they come. He could work out of a phone booth and still be an asset to this industry and he's generally considered to be a "mail order" or "on-line" dealer.

The real problem with this industry is insanely overpriced gear that just doesn't sound all that special.

For that matter, Borders puts TAS and Stereophile in more peoples' hands than all the high end salons combined.

Welcome to the 21st C. Like it or not that's the way it is.

__________
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT

Have not purchased from a "high end retailer" for over 30 years. All vintage purchases eBay, AudioGon plus parts over the internet. Last couple years I've been building my own equipment from either kits or from, all with information gathered over the internet.

Can learn more here that at some high end audio salon.

Kiss you high end retailers goodbye;-)

Next, a guy at work bought an old Heathkit tube amp on eBay, and it's been downhill ever since.

Been a regular at CES for the last few years, plus HE-2003 and VSAC. Met others with the same interests via boards like this. Got to know a few of the "heavy hitters" on Asylum;-).

Don't subscribe to either TAS or Stereophile, and really don't need "high end audio stores" but that doesn't mean others don't. To each his own.

Oh. And you can do this all in real time while sitting at your desk at work or home. If you care at all about music reproduction in the home, how could you NOT find high end audio on the internet?

__________
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT