Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

http://www.tnt-audio.com/int.html was always fairly reasonable (no ads) although I haven't read it for many years.

Yeah, there's actual useful information out there but when they start attributing the soundstage of a CD player to its power supply and material of the buttons, you might as well start worshiping Cthulu because the Victoria line was running on time.

IMO it's the same as all niche interest media - it exists to promote the idea that very small differences between products are actually significant, when in reality they are mostly trivial, irrelevant or non existent.

Having said that, still have a considerable list of speakers, cars and bikes that I want to get hold of at some point.

Despite the ones which I already have being perfectly adequate.

I think with hi-fi, there's three tiers when it comes to 'improvements' - calculable, measurable and noticeable.

Magazines (and forums) will wank themselves demented over things that are calculable or measurable but it's only when something becomes noticeable that it's important and then, because it's so subjective, with so many variables it's really down to the individual to decide if they like it or it's 'better' for them.

tl;dr?

Most of it's bollocks.

attributing the soundstage of a CD player to its power supply

Of course this has an influence. The button material, I'll give you.

Like I like heavy bass speakers where everyone else (with no taste) says that it sounds muddy.

Exactly.

Arguing about preferences is what a LOT of hi-fi chat comes down to.

Whilst totally ignoring the awful rooms/environments most people are listening in.

Ears > Room > Speakers > Amp > Source > Next Thursday's dinner > Cables

Also, VU meters make anything sound better.

Well yeah, that's just a fact. Even software.

Yep, my MP3s sounded better with the VU visuals on.

Everything that can have a meter, sounds better with a meter.

Car audio, definitely sounds better better witj a meter... In fact, car anything is better with a meter. Car boost? Definitely!

This is a fact.

You guys forgot my favourite, excessively heavy knobs and switches and over-engineered moving parts.

Can anyone recommend some hi fi speakers? I currently have a pair of twenty year old Tannoy Mercury M2 (on stands) just now, but have noticed recently one of them has started buzzing, well the cabinet has I think. I don't mind floor standing or stand mounted. Budget maybe up in the £200 - 300 kind of area?

Cheers

Where are you, eightballs?

I have Monitor Audio BX2 which I really liked after trying a few out in Richer Sounds. I also heard and really liked the Dali Zensor 1 so it was between those two.

If you can stretch to just over your max, the Zensor 3 might be worth a look?

Monitor Audio Bronze 2 or if that's too much, cannot recommend these enough http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/mission/lx2/miss-lx2-blk

Unbelievably good value for money at full RRP, let alone that discounted price.

If you're willing to go 2nd hand/oldish, the TDL RTL series are great. My RTL2s are spot on, my mate bought the RTL3s after hearing mine and they're rather good too, with a bit more bass. I got mine for £40 off ebay but they usually tend to go for a bit more.

@brm I'm up in Scotland. I have just read reviews of those Monitor Audio Bronze 2's. Look good!

What's the room like?

Medium/large. Speakers either side of the fireplace. Rectangular, standard Victorian shaped. High ceiling, bay window