If a product sounds good to your ears, but measures poorly, is this a problem?
It's not unusual to see a product get a glowing review in <I>Stereophile</I>, but then measure poorly on the test bench. Does this bother you?
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Have you ever purchased audio equipment before hearing it? Why did you buy it and what was it?
We like to think that high-end audio is different because we take the time to audition how musical a piece of equipment is. But, in reality, we don't often first listen to everything we buy. Have you ever purchased a component before listening to it?
What's the farthest you've travelled to audition a piece of audio gear and what was it?
Now that we've established that many of you will buy equipment without an audition, let's find out how far you have travelled to actually hear something you are interested in purchasing. Tell us about your most epic audition odyssey.
What's the farthest you've travelled to listen to live music and who was it?
Reader G. Smith says, "Who cares about equipment
Does it help if you "break in" a component? If so, tell us about it.
One of the age-old audio battles is whether or not a component needs to be "broken-in" first to sound its best. Does it help to break in a component and, if so, what is the most dramatic example you've experienced?
Do you want tone controls on your preamp?
This week's Soapbox finds reader Mark Gdovin lamenting the lack of tone controls on modern audiophile preamps. Do you look for tone controls when you purchase a preamp?
If audiophile-grade satellite tuners hit the shelves, would you buy one?
Both XM and Sirius satellite radio systems have recently announced they have enough financing to keep afloat for another year or so. Reader Stephen M. Rose wants to know if you would be interested in digital satellite radio if audiophile-grade receivers hit the market?
Have you bought the Dark Side of the Moon hybrid disc yet? What do you think?
A classic recording of mythic proportions, Pink Floyd's <I>Dark Side of the Moon</I> still commands attention, both as an artistic and audiophile favorite. Have you purchased the new SACD/CD disc yet? Does it live up to the hype?
What is the most beautiful piece of audio gear you've seen, and why do you like the way it looks?
We all know that audio is not a beauty contest, but still, looks do count. Leaving sound quality aside for a moment, what would you suggest as the most stunning <I>looking</I> piece of audio gear you've ever seen?
Would you buy audio equipment over the Internet? What and why?
Last week's Soapbox highlighted the debate between folks who would rather buy from a bricks-and-mortar retailer and those who wouldn't. Does purchasing audio products over the Internet appeal to you?