ARE AUDIOPHILES OVERLY SENSITIVE BY NATURE?FEELINGS AND OPINIONS?

@calvinj 

There are often a few layers that drive dissension. Most would agree that we each have unique :

• Hearing abilities 
• audio chains
• power quality
• ambient noise floors
• room conditions

Therefore our perceptions are different

However a few live by:

1. A emotional resentment to the perceived  unaffordability of high-end audio components. This emotional resentment closes minds, resists opposing views, stubbornness to consider other viewpoints. 
2. It’s wrong until proven right.  This is often from a fear of being wrong, and therefore resist from even trying - overly cautious.  They want to understand or more precisely get a “guarantee” that it works before trying.  High-end audio is usually best when one simply tries difficult combos to see what resonates with their subjective tastes/preferences.
3. Measurement audiophiles - likely/mostly related to #1 resentment.  Items that cannot be easily defined by measurements (cables, fuses, audiophile network switches) is their hot button. They cannot accept the higher price over regular components without some concrete justification, but manufacturers won’t reveal their R@D results and conclusions for business reasons.
4. My reasoning is universal truth
5. My perceptions are universal truth. This is false 

My belief about high-end audio:

1. if many say this is true, chances are if I try it in my own system I’ll “probably” get the same result. But nothing is guaranteed
2. Sonics are more important than measurements. Measurements alone do not tell if one subjectively likes the sonics vs other choices. Best to listen for yourself 
3. Different sonic presentations are valid- it’s a matter of preferences rather than superiority/inferiority. Some may like a 300b midrange magic, others want end-to-end linearity. Some like nearfield listening, others room filling.  

I wonder if typically naysayers have lack of exposure to very transparent high-end sonics for comparison, therefore in their experience they don’t discern the differences. Usually very transparent audio chains are somewhat costly, and my impression seems like most naysayers do not have transparent enough gear to hear the differences.

In my audio journey I made the effort to hear the very best at audio stores and audio shows, then choose the sound I wanted within my budget. This is how I was exposed to transparent components.

@mahgister 

You are a gem on this forum.  Your generous support of others in this hobby is commendable and heartwarming.  Thanks for your insights.

True, one does not have to spend significant $ to get transparency, but knowing what to get is from years of your direct experience. Most others are not as knowledgeable and/or experienced so have to rely on reviews which are slanted towards the latest gear.