Re: [Leica] High end audio and photography analogies

["Jeff S" <segawa@netone.com>]

I dunno if the high end audio comparison really holds up too well, but if I
were to ask for the aural equivalent of an M system, it'd be this:

A mobile hifi the size of an average hardcover novel, maybe DVD or LP-only,
no frills, and 2-channel sound about as good as any mega system out there,
at least with headphones or smallish speakers. It'd have a volume control
and not much else. It'd cost a lot, but wouldn't really break or wear out
easily. The sonics would be such that, while you could talk about imaging,
frequency range, soundstage, bass slam or whatever, 'till you were blue in
the face, you wouldn't want to; you'd be too busy simply enjoying the music.
That, far from having 95% of your music collection rendered unlistenable,
you'd be able to listen THROUGH the technical flaws, and enjoy the
performance beyond, as if watching a live performance through a slightly
dirty window. What's more, you'd find yourself enjoying new types of music,
and actually would be eager to take the package along with you, as your
Walkman sat neglected.

If only my hifi were so good. If only my Leica were as well!! :-)

No, the closest parallel I've yet found is in shortwave radios: I favor the
Lowe HF-150 receiver: Small, spartan (only 2 knobs and 3 buttons) nicely
made, with some limitations, but capable of some very satisfying big-radio
performance. Fortunately, it's priced more like a Nikon N90 than an M6.

Jeff

- -----Original Message-----
From: Andre Jean Quintal <quia250249@yahoo.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 7:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] High end audio and photography analogies


>
>>Eric Welch wrote:
>[ . . . ]
>>> Good analogy. Seems like some audio magazines I've read recently talk a
lot
>>> about the high-end tube-driven amplifiers going for a premium. That does
>>> sound like Leica M.
>>> Eric Welch
>>> St. Joseph, MO
>>> http://www.
> One little note on audio:
> the general "audio" domain has undergone
> a significant change caused by the emergence
> of several brilliant engineers with business
> acumen, especially in the last decade.
>
> Pass Labs, Krell, Bryston, Meridian,
> ElectroCompaniet, NAIM, YBA, Audio Research,
> are brands you have to look into, amongst many.
> Bring any of these in my home: you're welcome.
>
> While i have personally sold dozens of McIntosh
> stereo systems, the passing on of its founders,
> Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gowe,
> is a loss; one brought the business flair,
> the other the brilliant engineering,
> with a "class act" mentality.
>
> The parallel with LEICA, i hope, would rather
> relate to outstanding customer support
> and product development, over and above top level
> manufacturing care and total quality control.
>
> Remember "In Search of Excellence" series books ?
> Recommended reading; no waste of time...
>
> Andre Jean Quintal
>
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