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Audiophile book of "Common Sense"

It has often been said that,"common sense is very uncommon in the world", and I believe that applies even more to our passion/hobby in the audiophile world. I thought it would be fun and useful to compile an "Audiophile Book of Common Sense" that would contain guidelines and suggestions to help us make good decisions by using our "common sense" towards our passion. So, I'm going to offer a few guidelines to start this project off, but hope the rest of you Gon members will jump right on board and share your suggestions with the rest of us members. 1) No one technology is superior to another technology. Examples- non-upsampling DACS vs upsampling DACS, tubes vs solid-state amps, planar vs box-enclosed speakers, silver vs copper wires, etc. Each has its own merits/differences but not superior to the other one. 2) The difference in the sound of your system with a new piece of equipment doesnot necessarily mean an improvement towards the sound of music in the long run. 3) More expensive equipment usually means better build quality and performance but not necessarily so. 4) Companies that come out with a new product and a few months later have a new "generation" of that piece or a replacement for it are either just trying to sell more through the hype of "new and improved" or came out with their product before it was a finished design. 5) All REVIEWERS should not be trusted, but read for two reasons. First, for fun/entertainment and to see what new products are coming out that you might be interested in, that's all. 6) Your PERSONNAL TASTE is the most important factor when putting together your home system. Your EAR'S nobody else's opinion. 7) Always, if possible, do home audtions of any equipment your interested in that might possibly lead to you purchasing it. 8) System synergy is always important. How an individual piece matchs the +/- of the rest of your system. 9) When audtioning new pieces always go back to your orginial reference point and then see/hear if the new piece has better sonics virtues than your old gear. 10) If your lucky enough to end up with a great sounding system, be very wary of claims such as," this new amp just BLOWS away my old ML-mono 33's". Sonics do improve with better electronics, but in small % not in gross ways unless there was something terribly wrong/missing in your original piece of equipment. But its a great come-on to pray on audiophiles not using their "COMMON SENSE". 11) Their is NO the "BEST" in the world, but many wonderful pieces of equipment that give the pleasure of coming closer to the illusion of real music. So, don't get your EGO involved keeping up with the latest/greatest in the world of high end audio. 12) Just have fun and don't take any of our hobby to seriously!
teajay
newbee
4,767 posts
 
You covered most everything. What else is there to say? Oh, I know......

Forget about using live music as a point of comparison for the evaluation of electrical components and speakers as if it were a goal to be achieved in your home. This is a false god!

(1) Most listening rooms would be overdriven by live musicians playing anything much more than an acoustic guitar. (2)The recordings you are listening to are not, nor will they ever be accurate replications of live music. The change from live starts with the mic and continues thru the cables, mixing boards, etc. The end result, at its best, will be euphonic, i.e. altered so that it sounds good over the system that the recording engineer imagined it would be most likely played. For example rap and boom boxes go together well.

So, be an anarchist! Tune your room and system to sound they way you like it without regard to what others may think.

One last thought, if music is as valuable to you as so many seem to say, put your mind and money where your mouth is. Start exploring music you are not yet familar with. Buy some! Help keep the recorded music industy alive. Next time you're tempted to spend 1K or thereabouts on a new cable/IC to improve resolution go out and buy 65 new CD's, or 300 LP's, and improve your mind and spirits. :-)
esoxhntr
196 posts
 
You can't use the terms "audiophile" and "common sense" in the same sentence - it constitutes an oxymoron of epic proportions :)
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Join an audiophile club or start one. Listen to as many systems and components in someones home as possible. Club members become great friends and are utterly honest in my experience with regard to the virtues of gear. Besides, it's a great way to pick up good gear when another person with deeper pockets is upgrading. The biggest benefit however is the exposure you will get to new recordings.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well, in the AudiogoN thread book of common sense, your thread would appear easier to read, something like this:

"Audiophile Book of Common Sense"

1) No one technology is superior to another technology. Examples- non-upsampling DACS vs upsampling DACS, tubes vs solid-state amps, planar vs box-enclosed speakers, silver vs copper wires, etc. Each has its own merits/differences but not superior to the other one.

2) The difference in the sound of your system with a new piece of equipment doesnot necessarily mean an improvement towards the sound of music in the long run.

3) More expensive equipment usually means better build quality and performance but not necessarily so.

4) Companies that come out with a new product and a few months later have a new "generation" of that piece or a replacement for it are either just trying to sell more through the hype of "new and improved" or came out with their product before it was a finished design.

5) All REVIEWERS should not be trusted, but read for two reasons. First, for fun/entertainment and to see what new products are coming out that you might be interested in, that's all.

6) Your PERSONNAL TASTE is the most important factor when putting together your home system. Your EAR'S nobody else's opinion.

7) Always, if possible, do home audtions of any equipment your interested in that might possibly lead to you purchasing it.

8) System synergy is always important. How an individual piece matchs the +/- of the rest of your system.

9) When audtioning new pieces always go back to your orginial reference point and then see/hear if the new piece has better sonics virtues than your old gear.

10) If your lucky enough to end up with a great sounding system, be very wary of claims such as," this new amp just BLOWS away my old ML-mono 33's". Sonics do improve with better electronics, but in small % not in gross ways unless there was something terribly wrong/missing in your original piece of equipment. But its a great come-on to pray on audiophiles not using their "COMMON SENSE".

11) Their is NO the "BEST" in the world, but many wonderful pieces of equipment that give the pleasure of coming closer to the illusion of real music. So, don't get your EGO involved keeping up with the latest/greatest in the world of high end audio.

12) Just have fun and don't take any of our hobby to seriously!

There, isn't that much easier to read?

Regards,
John

FWIW, I do agree with what your book, just trying to make the book easier to read.
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