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We see lots of new gear come out and shortly thereafter we see that same gear slightly used on ebay. There are certain items that have been well received here and after months are still not to be found on the bay. Any of you use that for an indicator of 'real world' acceptance of gear they are considering?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

Comments

TheArchitect Sat, 07/16/2005 - 18:24

Probably not for most old gear since even really good stuff gets surpassed by better designs. Some stuff that exists in massive qty because its been around forever like an SM57 probably wouldn't count but it wouldn't need to because its longevity speaks for itself. Old gear in general has established its reputation but the really exceptional stuff is still rare on Ebay and is extraordinarily priced when it is available.

I think it would most accurately apply to the initial cycle of new Product / 1st generation of users / keep or sell. If those first generation of users are holding onto the gear there is usually a reason.

Kev Sat, 07/16/2005 - 23:18

yep

that initial cycle of new product and it's 1st generation of users is very interesting time.
The Net and these Forums have made it even more so.

The RNC is a good example ... more recently we hear about the GT-Brick.
I had to get an RNC just because I was answering/trying to answer questions at Tech Talk about it.

These forums do bring a new slant to marketing.

KurtFoster Sun, 07/17/2005 - 12:35

The fact that so much of that stuff ends up on EBay only goes to show that marketing hype, not performance is driving the industry.

I notice that this phenominon mostly applies to the lower end than to the more expensive boutique offerings. It appears high quality is still attached to the price you pay.

There's a lot of marketing power in the pages of BBs like RO. I myself, am especially sensitive to posts regarding very inexpensive gear that claims to be "pro", "has quality approaching that of vintage designs" or that "out performs products costing many times it's price" (all the catch phrases). To me these individuals sound more like marketing people, dealers or distributors tha real end users. I think there's more to that than many would suspect.

In the best of worlds (imo) administrators of recording BBs owe it to thier members to "out" manufacturers and dealers who send schills out to stir up interest in whichever product line has the largest margin of profit this month.

Unfortunatly owners of audio BBs seem to be taking a different tact. The common course is to be "all inclusive". That's wonderful for keeping peace with large manufacturers but it seems to me in the end what happens is the level of topics and information exchanged falls below that which would interest any real professional. What you end up with nothing but cheap gear hype and the blind leading the blind.

TheArchitect Sun, 07/17/2005 - 14:19

Kurt Foster wrote: The fact that so much of that stuff ends up on EBay only goes to show that marketing hype, not performance is driving the industry.

I notice that this phenominon mostly applies to the lower end than to the more expensive boutique offerings. It appears high quality is still attached to the price you pay.

There's a lot of marketing power in the pages of BBs like RO. I myself, am especially sensitive to posts regarding very inexpensive gear that claims to be "pro", "has quality approaching that of vintage designs" or that "out performs products costing many times it's price" (all the catch phrases). To me these individuals sound more like marketing people, dealers or distributors tha real end users. I think there's more to that than many would suspect.

In the best of worlds (imo) administrators of recording BBs owe it to thier members to "out" manufacturers and dealers who send schills out to stir up interest in whichever product line has the largest margin of profit this month.

Unfortunatly owners of audio BBs seem to be taking a different tact. The common course is to be "all inclusive". That's wonderful for keeping peace with large manufacturers but it seems to me in the end what happens is the level of topics and information exchanged falls below that which would interest any real professional. What you end up with nothing but cheap gear hype and the blind leading the blind.

I agree completely.