Ah, this old chestnut. No, generally these statements are made simply to sell you new equipment.
Manufacturers, retailers and salespeople need to sell you stuff to stay in business. It makes sense right? Imagine walking into a hi-fi store, telling them what you have and the sales guy saying:
“Wow, your turntable is awesome, probably better than anything here up to around $3000!”
Rare honest salesperson
Sales staff are generally paid a commission. This reward for selling creates a very real conflict of interest inescapable by all but the most ethical salespeople, strangely often overlooked or not even considered by consumers.
Remember, there is NOTHING new in turntables except styling. The very best turntables have mostly all been made, somewhere between 1970 and 1985. There are a few notable exceptions, but you get my point. The industry needs you to believe that new gear is better, otherwise, everyone’s out of a job.
Consider this: I don’t have a turntable to sell you and I don’t operate a retail shopfront. In fact, I’m not trying to sell you anything, nor do I mind whether or not you believe me. I fix and service equipment, old and new, that’s my core business. But others are trying to sell you something, aren’t they? Do they have new turntables to sell by any chance..?
By the way, I’m not suggesting that all salespeople are dishonest. Ethical salespeople exist, like my friends Simon and Tony @ Douglas Hi-Fi and Pierre @ Revolution Turntable. Make sure you ask your hi-fi store guy what turntable he owns. This will help ensure there’s some credibility to the advice you are being given.
