Heavy == good... why?

[Michael]

Time and time again, I read posts which compare players, and the respective weight always gets raised as a factor. The Sony ES players are repeatedly called good, as they weigh lots. The Pioneer Elite DV47 doesn't measure up - it's too light.

What the heck does weight have to do with quality, or durability? Something doesn't have to weigh 30lbs to last 10 years... nor does it need to weigh 30lbs to reduce vibrations... 30lbs doesn't guarantee that the changer mechanism won't break anyway, or the tray won't jam. There have been posts which prove that.

I accept that sometimes having better, or more transformers can raise the weight, but shouldn't one talk about the components used, not what they weigh?

Back in the earlier mainframe days, IBM used to put led weights in their keyboards so they could charge more. The weights had no effect on the usability of the keyboard, but customers didn't think they were being ripped off. Basically, IBM played on the "heaver MUST be better" mentality.

Let's stop talking about how much a DVD player weighs, and concentrate on how it sounds.

[Unregistered]

The biggest reason why higher-end components weighs more is due to the larger transformers they use. Bigger = more power. This is especially true with amplifiers. Also, some higher-end gears also have two separate transformers, one for the digital circuit, another for the anlog circuit. As whether this make a difference over a multi-tap transformer, you will have to decide.

Higher-end gears are better braced, and the platform better designed with metals rather than plastic components. The sheet metal used is also thicker. They also have larger, heavier heatsinks.

I'm sure marketing has alot of say about the weight because alot of people do equate weight with quality. But then whatever floats people's boats I guess.

Now as for the IBM keyboard, those Model M keyboards (the clickity-click one) are THE BEST keyboards ever made. They maybe heavy (okay, they are heavy), but no keyboards coming before or since have matched them. Use one, and you'll know immediately how a REAL keyboard is like. Just my opinion.

[SponGeBoB]

sorry to interrupt, but please register....

[Ioman]

Originally posted by Unregistered
The biggest reason why higher-end components weighs more is due to the larger transformers they use. Bigger = more power. This is especially true with amplifiers. Also, some higher-end gears also have two separate transformers, one for the digital circuit, another for the anlog circuit. As whether this make a difference over a multi-tap transformer, you will have to decide.

Higher-end gears are better braced, and the platform better designed with metals rather than plastic components. The sheet metal used is also thicker. They also have larger, heavier heatsinks.

I'm sure marketing has alot of say about the weight because alot of people do equate weight with quality. But then whatever floats people's boats I guess.

Now as for the IBM keyboard, those Model M keyboards (the clickity-click one) are THE BEST keyboards ever made. They maybe heavy (okay, they are heavy), but no keyboards coming before or since have matched them. Use one, and you'll know immediately how a REAL keyboard is like. Just my opinion.

Unfortunately I associate a heavy reciever with higher quality a lot of the time as well. There is just a certain feeling I get when playing with an Mcintosh versus a Sony. You can tell the components are good without first listening.

[ECA]

Do you know the Buttered Toast theory...WHY is always falls Face down.
Metal can conduct HEAT much better then Plastic. Also weight also (hopfully) means they have separate control boards inside to control each device insted of ONE intergrated board. A better transformer, weighs ALOT and is worth every cent, as spikes and voltage transitions that can go thru a small transformer, can kill your control boards, and mich more.
First rule for a NEW joystick. Put it in your hand and TWEAK it. See if it bends or cracks, if the buttons are REAL, or just contacts. If its a good Stick, it will also weigh a bit more.