The modern audio landscape is like the 'Matrix' in the movie 'Matrix'...

[ebxb]

A big majority of the 'hopeless' peoples are plug into the Matrix with hope or promise(by the Machine) that transistor or non-tube sounding tube amps + inefficent retarted speakers(designed by peoples with no ears / using cheap drivers with Loudspeaker Cook Book inspired x-overs) can take them to Audio Nirvana.

A few of the hopefuls(important figure like Hiraga / Ultra Fi audiophiles from Japan) escape from the Matrix and spread the words that it is a big lie and starting to save the hopeless from Matrix. They shown them the truth and unplug them from the Matrix. Converting them one by one. The process is painfully slow but more and more peoples are starting to believe.

I did my share and spread the seeds. Over the years,  I converted at least three to four persons into horn/SET and they also spreading the seeds too.

Have you do your share in saving those 'Hopeless' in the 'Matrix' ?

[jonathan weiss]

One problem is that the supposed "free thinkers" that you refer to such as people in Japan are actually still in the Matrix. I've known several of the primary dealers responsible for sending all of the Western Electric, Altec, and JBL vintage equipment for the last couple of decades to Japan. When you sit down with these guys, and start talking about how the business actually works, or if you read MJ or Stereo Sound, you see that in fact, all the systems which are featured are really permutations on the same formula. They have marketed the good stuff in this case, but its marketing all the same. When we start discussing things like RCA, or other brands which made comparable gear, the reality is that it is not sellable in Japan. The retailers there spent so many years telling their customers that WE was it, and RCA was garbage, that the lie stuck. Now when the people I know try to sell what they believe to be a superior RCA driver or amp to Japan, its simply impossible. You can't reverse decades of indoctrination.

The Matrix extends farther than you think.

Jonathan

[ebxb]

It is understandable that the Japanese peoples stick to WE, Altec or JBL equipments since all of those are excellent in term of quality and sound performance.  I think most of the Japanese audiophiles are of middle class background and you know how expensive the real estate/living expenses can get in Japan. With limited amount of $$$ put into a hobby, all of these smart audiophiles using only famous brand like WE, Altec or JBL, which is always in great demand in Japan. If needed, they can sell the said equipments easily and probably make some $$$ too. The word 'liquidity' is the key here. I would do the same if I'm in the same situation.

The RCA or other brand might be great but nobody care since they are not good in the liquidity department.