Where have all the HiFi members gone?

[BenLaw]

I think the new site is part of the problem (but probably not the main issue). I've seen threads like this several times on different HiFi forums, and IMO the main reason members drop off is simply boredom.

There usually comes a time when you get tired of reading/participating in the same old quarrels/discussions. We all have our own opinions on what HiFi is, how much to spend, what is a ripoff/snakeoil etc etc etc... So members interest tend to decrease eventually... Some come back, others join new sites, some find new hobbies... I suspect the frustrating site change just helped push some persons out a little earlier (but they were probably fairly bored with HiFi discussions before the site change).

More or less this for me. Very, very few threads that I find sufficiently interesting to go through the trauma of posting using the new site. Still actively contribute to the film club thread, although less than I would if the site wasn't so crap.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

It is a shame.

 

[tinkywinkydipsylalapo]

It is a shame.

It is: long, long ago and far, far away this site seemed interested in its subject, had members of staff who engaged with the readers on this forum by answering questions and the like, and encouraged those taking their first steps in hi-fi, and published articles giving tips and ideas.

Now it's all about the latest TV/streaming service/film release and endless '10 best gift ideas for...' articles, is it any wonder those into listening to music played as well as it can be in the home are drifting/have drifted away?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

It is a shame.

It is: long, long ago and far, far away this site seemed interested in its subject, had members of staff who engaged with the readers on this forum by answering questions and the like, and encouraged those taking their first steps in hi-fi, and published articles giving tips and ideas.

Now it's all about the latest TV/streaming service/film release and endless '10 best gift ideas for...' articles, is it any wonder those into listening to music played as well as it can be in the home are drifting/have drifted away?

I suppose not though. I joined so I could speak to the reviewers and writers at WHF but they have come on a bit lately, I spoke to Joe the other day which was nice.

 

[iceman16]

Hi Gel.. Yes I think the upgraded site is one major reason why some regulars here and others dont often contribute. I can't even post any link, piccies and smileys don't work. And I agree with Cno, recent threads are not quite interesting.

 

[chris_bates1974]

I've had no problems posting/reading either on laptop or iPad - and I'm in Saudi working at the moment with still no issues...

I have to say I enjoy the forums, having posted asking for advice at first, but now enjoy looking around to see what people are talking about and offering my penn'orth where I can.

I don't really know wanyone on here as yet, although Gel I have come across a fair bit as we both have exquisite taste in TVs!!!

As for the mag, it's gone right downhill. I first started reading it in 1991... it was fantastic back then. In fact, seeing Cyrus kit in there made me desire something from them so much! Now it's gone a bit "lifestyle" for me with not enough emphasis on reviewing kit - particlarly hifi. Hence, I don't subscribe.

Anyway, I like the forums, and hope to be around for a wee while yet!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I've had no problems posting/reading either on laptop or iPad - and I'm in Saudi working at the moment with still no issues...

I have to say I enjoy the forums, having posted asking for advice at first, but now enjoy looking around to see what people are talking about and offering my penn'orth where I can.

I don't really know wanyone on here as yet, although Gel I have come across a fair bit as we both have exquisite taste in TVs!!!

As for the mag, it's gone right downhill. I first started reading it in 1991... it was fantastic back then. In fact, seeing Cyrus kit in there made me desire something from them so much! Now it's gone a bit "lifestyle" for me with not enough emphasis on reviewing kit - particlarly hifi. Hence, I don't subscribe.

Anyway, I like the forums, and hope to be around for a wee while yet!

Nice one!

 

[john1000000boy]

Would be nice to he

 

[john1000000boy]

As I was saying....if someone could explain just what is going on with the site. The mag for me is beginning to lose its appeal. I have been reading since 94. Have started to read hcc. Better features,kit reviews and software reviews. THIS ALL NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED WHF!!

pos

 

[matthewpiano]

I still read the forums regularly. However, I post much less simply because I haven't got as much to say. I'm still interested in hi-fi and I'll still occasionally trying different makes and models, but my days of constant box swapping and system disatisfaction are very much in the past and I'm spending far more time simply enjoying the music. If I see a question I can help answer or a discussion I can make a contribution to I chip in, but otherwise I don't see the point in wasting words.

I've got much pickier about when I buy any of the magazines, whether it be WHFS&V, HFC, HFW, or HFN&RR. I'll buy any of them if the contents look interesting, but none of the titles achieve this consistently. WHFS&V is chasing much bigger circulation than the other titles so its scope has to be wider and less focused on specialist hi-fi. IMO it does what it does very well.

 

[iceman16]

I still read the forums regularly. However, I post much less simply because I haven't got as much to say. I'm still interested in hi-fi and I'll still occasionally trying different makes and models, but my days of constant box swapping and system disatisfaction are very much in the past and I'm spending far more time simply enjoying the music. If I see a question I can help answer or a discussion I can make a contribution to I chip in, but otherwise I don't see the point in wasting words.

I've got much pickier about when I buy any of the magazines, whether it be WHFS&V, HFC, HFW, or HFN&RR. I'll buy any of them if the contents look interesting, but none of the titles achieve this consistently. WHFS&V is chasing much bigger circulation than the other titles so its scope has to be wider and less focused on specialist hi-fi. IMO it does what it does very well.

MP how you gettin' o with the Brio r?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Cheers for the replies guys, it makes sense things change. I am currently only subscribing to HCC, my WHF one has expired, and I'm not sure whether I will renew it, unless I can find a subscription package I am happy with.

 

[grdunn123]

Like many others i haven't posted much since the site changed, the mag does seem to be less 'serious' than it used to be and there are too many articles/reviews on things which are irrelevant (to me anyway).

 

[matthewpiano]

I still read the forums regularly. However, I post much less simply because I haven't got as much to say. I'm still interested in hi-fi and I'll still occasionally trying different makes and models, but my days of constant box swapping and system disatisfaction are very much in the past and I'm spending far more time simply enjoying the music. If I see a question I can help answer or a discussion I can make a contribution to I chip in, but otherwise I don't see the point in wasting words.

I've got much pickier about when I buy any of the magazines, whether it be WHFS&V, HFC, HFW, or HFN&RR. I'll buy any of them if the contents look interesting, but none of the titles achieve this consistently. WHFS&V is chasing much bigger circulation than the other titles so its scope has to be wider and less focused on specialist hi-fi. IMO it does what it does very well.

MP how you gettin' o with the Brio r?

I love it. I bought it because I had to re-arrange the layout of everything due to a house move and it made sense to match the amp to the size of the Apollo-R. I've always liked the Brio-R so I wasn't at all nervous. Still got the Exposure 1010, which is paired with my beloved Rotel RCD965BX in the study/guest room. At present that second system is without speakers so I'm on the look-out but not rushing anything. Might get some RS1s for the Rega system and use the Dyns with the Exposure, but SF Toy, Totem Dreamcatcher, and CA Aeromax 2 are also considerations. Then again, might plump for some DM2/7s and run Dyns in both rooms.

 

[Freddy58]

I think one of the problems we have here, is that the forum is a bit sterile, no sense of fun. Just my opinion, others are available

 

[steve_1979]

I think one of the problems we have here, is that the forum is a bit sterile, no sense of fun. Just my opinion, others are available

I did a blind A/B comparison with other hifi forums and couldn't see any difference between them.

 

[Freddy58]

I think one of the problems we have here, is that the forum is a bit sterile, no sense of fun. Just my opinion, others are available

I did a blind A/B comparison with other hifi forums and couldn't see any difference between them.

I hear you *biggrin*

 

[iceman16]

I still read the forums regularly. However, I post much less simply because I haven't got as much to say. I'm still interested in hi-fi and I'll still occasionally trying different makes and models, but my days of constant box swapping and system disatisfaction are very much in the past and I'm spending far more time simply enjoying the music. If I see a question I can help answer or a discussion I can make a contribution to I chip in, but otherwise I don't see the point in wasting words.

I've got much pickier about when I buy any of the magazines, whether it be WHFS&V, HFC, HFW, or HFN&RR. I'll buy any of them if the contents look interesting, but none of the titles achieve this consistently. WHFS&V is chasing much bigger circulation than the other titles so its scope has to be wider and less focused on specialist hi-fi. IMO it does what it does very well.

MP how you gettin' o with the Brio r?

I love it. I bought it because I had to re-arrange the layout of everything due to a house move and it made sense to match the amp to the size of the Apollo-R. I've always liked the Brio-R so I wasn't at all nervous. Still got the Exposure 1010, which is paired with my beloved Rotel RCD965BX in the study/guest room. At present that second system is without speakers so I'm on the look-out but not rushing anything. Might get some RS1s for the Rega system and use the Dyns with the Exposure, but SF Toy, Totem Dreamcatcher, and CA Aeromax 2 are also considerations. Then again, might plump for some DM2/7s and run Dyns in both rooms.

MP.. Im a tweaker and many of us here dont agree..I've put a hifi tuning fuse supreme(2A)T and I heard a difference.

 

[matthewpiano]

I still read the forums regularly. However, I post much less simply because I haven't got as much to say. I'm still interested in hi-fi and I'll still occasionally trying different makes and models, but my days of constant box swapping and system disatisfaction are very much in the past and I'm spending far more time simply enjoying the music. If I see a question I can help answer or a discussion I can make a contribution to I chip in, but otherwise I don't see the point in wasting words.

I've got much pickier about when I buy any of the magazines, whether it be WHFS&V, HFC, HFW, or HFN&RR. I'll buy any of them if the contents look interesting, but none of the titles achieve this consistently. WHFS&V is chasing much bigger circulation than the other titles so its scope has to be wider and less focused on specialist hi-fi. IMO it does what it does very well.

MP how you gettin' o with the Brio r?

I love it. I bought it because I had to re-arrange the layout of everything due to a house move and it made sense to match the amp to the size of the Apollo-R. I've always liked the Brio-R so I wasn't at all nervous. Still got the Exposure 1010, which is paired with my beloved Rotel RCD965BX in the study/guest room. At present that second system is without speakers so I'm on the look-out but not rushing anything. Might get some RS1s for the Rega system and use the Dyns with the Exposure, but SF Toy, Totem Dreamcatcher, and CA Aeromax 2 are also considerations. Then again, might plump for some DM2/7s and run Dyns in both rooms.

MP.. Im a tweaker and many of us here dont agree..I've put a hifi tuning fuse supreme(2A)T and I heard a difference.

I'm using Merlin Tarantula Mk6 mains leads for both the Apollo-R and the Brio-R and I heard a difference too. I know some people won't believe that but frankly I don't care. Different experiences are one of the things that make hi-fi so interesting.

 

[CJSF]

I see a patern, 'doing ones own thing', it certainly is my way. What I hear is what I enjoy, its my way . . . I have taken a backwards step on amplifiers, in price point any way . . . the 'giant killing' reputation of the amp I am now using is well founded. I believe, few would understand or would want to agree, thats fine by me, each to his own.

So, one keeps watching . . . and enjoying my kind of music, but one rarly feels the need to contribute recently.

CJSF

 

[The_Lhc]

I think one of the problems we have here, is that the forum is a bit sterile, no sense of fun. Just my opinion, others are available

Spend a week in the Sonos forum and then tell me this place is no fun. This place is like Saturday Night Live compared to that forum. Drier than the Sahara desert that lot...

 

[The_Lhc]

the 'giant killing' reputation of the amp I am now using is well founded. I believe, few would understand or would want to agree, thats fine by me, each to his own.

Now, I'm curious, what are you using these days?

 

[andyjm]

I think one of the problems we have here, is that the forum is a bit sterile, no sense of fun. Just my opinion, others are available

Spend a week in the Sonos forum and then tell me this place is no fun. This place is like Saturday Night Live compared to that forum. Drier than the Sahara desert that lot...

Ahh. You mean the 'Sonos can do no wrong' forum? When I get a few minutes I will post a summary of the 'journey' I have had getting a whole-house Sonos system to work. Monumental pain in the backside.

 

[The_Lhc]

I think one of the problems we have here, is that the forum is a bit sterile, no sense of fun. Just my opinion, others are available

Spend a week in the Sonos forum and then tell me this place is no fun. This place is like Saturday Night Live compared to that forum. Drier than the Sahara desert that lot...

Ahh. You mean the 'Sonos can do no wrong' forum? When I get a few minutes I will post a summary of the 'journey' I have had getting a whole-house Sonos system to work. Monumental pain in the backside.

What's your username on there? Couldn't find anything under the username you use here. There's a similar username but that hasn't made any posts according to the search function.

 

[CJSF]

the 'giant killing' reputation of the amp I am now using is well founded. I believe, few would understand or would want to agree, thats fine by me, each to his own.

Now, I'm curious, what are you using these days?

Hi The_Lhc, all goes back a long way, I changed amps when I was in the middle of tweaking my turn table. Better and better presentation then I got the feeling the amp was not quite keeping up? So I went from the Croft hybrid to the full valve Icon ST40 MkIII.

The result, a smoother presentation. I thought it was OK, but one has to be honest, I was not 100% happy, got involved in valve rolling (changeing valve makes, they all sound different and can be very expensive). That was 18 months ago, now all that TT tweaking has finished. So I turned my attention to the room accustics . . . this is when I started to realise the things that I thought was the early Croft amp were actualy poor room accustics.

A long hard re think . . . dig the Croft out of the loft, with my bodged up room treatment in place, the Croft had a presentation I prefered. That was over a month ago, thats not to say the Icon is a bad amp, far from it, but the things I liked about the Croft 3 years ago when I first bought it have become more obvious now the 'room is working better'.

Minimal interest from the forum, so I am doing my own thing, I have tried to pass on what can be achived with thought, a little effort and not a lot of cash. I think I could have avoided throwing a big amount of cash at a problem 18 months ago that in truth did not sit with the amp . . . The next issue, it is worth upgrading the Croft to the 'R' (regulated) model . . . ? Glen Croft can rebuild my curent bassic to the 'R' specification.

But you see The_Lhc, I doubt any one will be interested, I'm waiting for my dealer to get the 'R' model in stock so that I can have it home for a few days? But that is another story to unfold that I will probably keep to myself.

CJSF