# What could a phonograph do to be worth $12000? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617 "2020-08-20T23:19:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/141 "2021-12-31T20:42:55Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > They are directional, but… > > > [@](#): > > > > ### Note: If you are switching from an Orange fuse to a Purple fuse, start by inserting the Purple fuse in the same direction as the Orange fuse being replaced. If the Purple fuse is not an immediate improvement, flip the Purple fuse in the alternate direction. > > Now you have two opportunities to allow your brain to fool itself. > > I’m glad their new ‘technology’ has managed to beat the old technology in their orange fuses. This is the 21st century, man. - I understand someone invented an Ultraviolet Fuse but they put down and haven’t seen it since. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/142 "2021-12-31T20:44:55Z")
From your first link: > Guitarist Danny Caron’s Good Hands [CD Baby] was the first album I listened to that drew my attention to what the QSA Purple **fuses** could do. I found this recording to be more enjoyable and the music easier to get into with the QSA Purple **fuses** in place. The degree of realism, inner detail, and presence got noticeably better. When the upright bass was being played, I could feel the sensation of the cords vibrating in the air and in my room, as was the presence of the action of the fingers moving up and down the cords. The edges of my soundstage became much more defined, while tonal colors were more vibrant. The high frequencies sounded freer, easier, clearer, and distinct. This is just outright fraud. These people _have_ to know it’s total B.S. I’m not sure how they can sleep soundly at night. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/143 "2021-12-31T20:48:26Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > This is just outright fraud. These people _have_ to know it’s total B.S. I’m not sure how they can sleep soundly at night. - No matter how loud the conscience is, money is louder. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/144 "2021-12-31T21:01:45Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > This is just outright fraud. These people _have_ to know it’s total B.S. I’m not sure how they can sleep soundly at night. Humans are not rational, they are rationalizing creatures. People have an amazing capacity to decide what they want to believe, then to rationalize reasons for believing it. We had an old friend who claimed to be psychic. She charged people for readings, and claimed to know the future. I think she really believed it, as her ‘abilities’ were a big part of her persona. She was always complaining about not having enough money. One day I asked her why she didn’t use her powers to win the lottery. She replied that using her ‘gift’ for personal profit would be unethical. So I then asked her why she charged money for her ‘readings’. Her answer? She stopped being friends with us. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/145 "2022-01-02T00:20:35Z")
The takeaway from this thread? A fool and his money are soon partying! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/146 "2022-01-02T00:58:03Z")
Bet she didn’t see _that_ coming. 😄 Remember, after hours use automated teller. ---
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/147 "2022-01-02T01:29:55Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > So, are my Klipsch speakers a waste? I bought them after a lot of advice, one aspect of which was the fact they weren’t varnished or coated – allowing the wood to somehow produce a better sound. They’re now 40 years old and I’m sure I can’t tell one way of another about the coatings, so I stained them to match the cabinets in the den. I would have asked whoever told me that why Stradivarius, and pretty much every other instrument maker ever, varnished the instruments they made? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/148 "2022-03-16T23:51:11Z")
How long before all of this is tied to a diagnosis code in DSM-5? (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) You can “upgrade” your amplifier’s fuses and power cord, and there are audiophool outlets. [$225 each for rhodium contacts!](https://www.musicdirect.com/accessories/Furutech-GTX-D-R-Wall-Outlet) I can’t believe nobody’s marketing special romex to run between these expensive outlets and an audiophile-grade circuit breaker. But then you’ll need to upgrade the main breaker for the house, and the contacts that the electric meter is plugged into… ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/149 "2022-03-17T02:25:55Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Translation: Your speakers will sound better if you put our very expensive bag of rocks on top of them. It also works on any electronic equipment, so they can sell you more than two. You’d think these geniuses, who clearly know everything there is to know about “physic’s” would know how to spell the word. (Pro tip: there’s no friggin’ apostrophe, assholes!) ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/150 "2022-09-23T19:07:13Z")
I had forgotten about this thread until I got an ad on my phone for [Studioflex cables.](https://www.studioflex.com/collections/studioflex-acoustic-artisan-series) > _Developed to enhance the specific nuances and attributes of acoustic instruments._ But at least the $70 price tag keeps it out of the fool and their money category. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/151 "2022-09-23T19:19:39Z")
OhByTheWay: this one’s $200,000 (and, no: I didn’t look to see if any others cost more): > **[Acoustic Signature Invictus Neo TurntableBlack (Deck Only)](https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/products/acoustic-signature-invictus-neo-turntable?currency=USD&variant=39352850153583&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping)** > > Acoustic Signature Invictus Neo Turntable We could now write an essay on our Invictus NEO. But this would make no sense. You wouldn’t believe us any­way until you have heard our master­piece your­self. So let’s make this short: No matter where you... ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/152 "2022-09-23T19:28:57Z")
From the lone review on this $199,995 turntable: “Sure, you’ll save a bundle, but don’t think you won’t get a quality product that sounds pretty good!” Save a bundle? From _what_-Hiring the Rolling Stones to put on a private concert? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/153 "2022-09-23T19:29:20Z")
As long as they are not lying and/or bullshitting you (which, in your example, they might be: I noticed eg constrained-layer damping was called “Constraint Layer Damping” in the description), at some point ordering a custom, hand-built turntable or amplifier becomes less an issue of what it is “worth” as much as how much you feel like paying the designer. Once I asked a fashion designer how she prices her dresses, and the reply was, she makes up whatever figure she feels like; it’s not a calculation. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > From the lone review on this $199,995 turntable: “Sure, you’ll save a bundle, but don’t think you won’t get a quality product that sounds pretty good!” > Save a bundle? From _what_-Hiring the Rolling Stones to put on a private concert? My gut feeling is indeed that that product feels more like woo/bling rather than what a truly talented Mad Engineer would build on an unlimited budget to sell to millionaires, but who knows ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/154 "2022-09-23T19:33:10Z")
I’m pretty sure there’s a reason that review didn’t merit the “verified purchase” tag 😉 One of my old co-workers – apropos of nothing – had **[Clarence Clemons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Clemons)** play at his wedding. I was out of the country. I’m guessing Clarence cost a fraction of what that turntable cost, and sounded a fair bit better. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/155 "2022-09-23T19:37:55Z")
Oh, absolutely. At the high end, they can’t give away their money fast enough or in large enough quantities. The guy I bought one of my bicycles from dealt in high-end bicycles and expensive wines. I used to joke that he dwelt in the World of Woo. Like high-end audio, those are two other hobbies at which people just fire cash with bazookas well past what we mortals could conceive of as the point of reasonableness. But I wouldn’t mind digging out one of my old MFSL discs and hearing it on that $200k … whatever it is. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/156 "2022-09-23T19:52:14Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I’m pretty sure there’s a reason that review didn’t merit the “verified purchase” tag The other reason is that I doubt they’ve built a single one of them. The image is a computer rendering (and not a very good one). The company probably can’t _afford_ to build one until they get the upfront payment. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/157 "2022-09-23T20:34:46Z")
It’s clearly a joke review. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/158 "2022-09-23T20:38:05Z")
Damn, I am slow today. “Joe Kingiam”-duh. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/159 "2022-09-24T01:20:57Z")
If you hook that turntable up to a quadrophonic receiver and a suitable number of speakers, and attach the maximum four tone arms, do you get octophonic sound? ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2022, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617/160 "2022-09-24T01:58:13Z")
So what bike did you buy? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-phonograph-do-to-be-worth-12000/918617.md?page=9)