Sleeper Hifi

[Dom]

Does it exist?

 

[plastic penguin]

What does "sleeper hi-fi" mean? Never heard of the term.

There are many brands overlooked....

 

[Dom]

Well sleeper means cheap that's actually as good as more expensive stuff

 

[Al ears]

Well sleeper means cheap that's actually as good as more expensive stuff

Never heard of it so no......
Cheap hifi does exist but only you can determine whether or not it is any good.

 

[doifeellucky]

Well sleeper means cheap that's actually as good as more expensive stuff

Sleeper doesn’t really mean that. It has nothing to do with value. It’s that it initially goes unnoticed, and might be actually considered a failure. but then later gains some credibility, and potentially becomes a success.

 

[Dom]

Sleeper doesn’t really mean that. It has nothing to do with value. It’s that it initially goes unnoticed, and might be actually considered a failure. but then later gains some credibility, and potentially becomes a success.

Yeah, that's what I meant. What do you think of those cheap knock off Chinese DACs.

 

[plastic penguin]

This is the problem. If you search the internet and put any description it will come up with something.

If I was to put in Leema Condom, it will flash up something with a image.

A few years ago this bloke in our village said, "I've found a Alfa Romeo 158, looks great value...." when I told him Alfa never produced a 158, he wouldn't accept it. Only when I showed him the image of a 159, replacement for the 156 (my current car), that he bowed down.

There are countless cheap hi-fi components, but are they any good?

They are cheap for a reason.

 

[Al ears]

If they are sleepers they are dormant for reason....

 

[nopiano]

There are probably a few brands that lack wide publicity or the recognition they deserve. And others that are good but aren’t cool or fancied.

I would suggest that Exposure is a brand that is under-appreciated, except by those who know it. The converse applies to Naim, and students of 1970s Hifi will recall these two once looked quite similar.

 

[twinkletoes]

A “Sleeper” is more of a pc and car thing. Something that looks like one thing but is another entirely.
for example a pc might look like a time or tiny pc from the 90s but inside a mondern gaming rig thats normal extremely capable.

With hifi that doesn’t really exist in the way you’re thinking. The closest thing I suppose is the just recently released is the Nad c3050 le. Looks like something it’s not.

 

[record_spot]

This is the "giant killer" term that's chucked around with abandon. The last one I heard of was ascribed to the Onkyo 7030 CD player. That was apparently a very well regarded and decent performer.

 

[treesey]

A “Sleeper” is more of a pc and car thing. Something that looks like one thing but is another entirely.
for example a pc might look like a time or tiny pc from the 90s but inside a mondern gaming rig thats normal extremely capable.

With hifi that doesn’t really exist in the way you’re thinking. The closest thing I suppose is the just recently released is the Nad c3050 le. Looks like something it’s not.

oh you mean like a Q-ship?

 

[jjbomber]

Does it exist?

Possibly Oppo BDP range. After they ceased production, people realised how good they were and they were selling second hand for way over their RRP had been.

 

[Dom]

A “Sleeper” is more of a pc and car thing. Something that looks like one thing but is another entirely.
for example a pc might look like a time or tiny pc from the 90s but inside a mondern gaming rig thats normal extremely capable.

With hifi that doesn’t really exist in the way you’re thinking. The closest thing I suppose is the just recently released is the Nad c3050 le. Looks like something it’s not.

I meant when it was reviewed it didn't sound great and stuff but then sometime later it did sound great like there's some conpiracy maybe higher governmental mystery.

 

[nopiano]

Oh. Well, I meant when it was reviewed it didn't sound great but then sometime later it did sound great. Like there's some mystery stuff. Maybe higher governmental conspiracy stuff and men in black suits and stuff, with Lazer weapons, shootin What Hifi and stuff.

How about the Garrard 401 turntable?

In the 1970s it cost about £35 and they could hardly give them away. Now folk pay £’000s and they are revered.

Back in the day they seemed to hum and rumble, but I suspect the typical choice of plinth, low-mass arms and high compliance cartridges didn’t suit ideally.

 

[plastic penguin]

There are probably a few brands that lack wide publicity or the recognition they deserve. And others that are good but aren’t cool or fancied.

I would suggest that Exposure is a brand that is under-appreciated, except by those who know it. The converse applies to Naim, and students of 1970s Hifi will recall these two once looked quite similar.

I can certainly vouch for Exposure. Probably one of the best VFM players I've heard, most definitely the best player I've owned.

Mind you, my whole system isn't the most popular on forum members. Do I care? Nope.

 

[Symples]

What does "sleeper hi-fi" mean? Never heard of the term.

There are many brands overlooked....

Hifi that sends you to sleep?

 

[Symples]

How about the Garrard 401 turntable?

In the 1970s it cost about £35 and they could hardly give them away. Now folk pay £’000s and they are revered.

Back in the day they seemed to hum and rumble, but I suspect the typical choice of plinth, low-mass arms and high compliance cartridges didn’t suit ideally.

Speaking of Garrard.
checkout this 301.....

View: https://youtu.be/vKFQ8B4cx64

 

[Gray]

After they ceased production, people realised how good they were and they were selling second hand for way over their RRP had been.

That description makes the Chromecast Audio the ultimate 'sleeper'.
(Wish I'd kept the two I bought - plus the entire stock - during the short time that Currys were selling them at £15 each).

 

[plastic penguin]

Hifi that sends you to sleep?

Zzzzz...sorry you were saying...😋

 

[doifeellucky]

That description makes the Chromecast Audio the ultimate 'sleeper'.
(Wish I'd kept the two I bought - plus the entire stock - during the short time that Currys were selling them at £15 each).

I have three.

 

[Dom]

This is the "giant killer" term that's chucked around with abandon. The last one I heard of was ascribed to the Onkyo 7030 CD player. That was apparently a very well regarded and decent performer.

The term sleeper existed back then, but this has always been the case though. Technology has always been about performance vs money. There is literature about this concept of getting serous dough for less work.

 

[Al ears]

The term sleeper existed back then, but this has always been the case though. Technology has always been about performance vs money. There is literature about this concept of getting serous dough for less work.

I think we need another look at how we are using the term "sleeper" .
Does it have anything to do with cost of device?

 

[Dom]

I'm not sure if there is any meaning, I see the word bandied-about and wondered if it applied to Hifi. I'm sure I saw a video thumb nail about sleeper Hifi on my YouTube feed, though I didn't watch it.

 

[iMark]

I would argue that the Apple Airport Express is a similar thing as Chromecast Audio. Very happy that I bought one second hand after they'd gone out of production. Still a great way to add Airplay to existing audio equipment. There's even a firmware update to Airplay 2 available.