Audiophile Priorities and Recent Topics


I'm increasingly fascinated by the number of threads that have been created lately by OP's who have joined over only the last 2 months with less than 30 posts that all seem related to the importance of wires and tweaks. While I'm not dismissing the notion that everything matters in hifi (including digital cable), it seems that these topics vastly overwhelm thread topics that clearly would have more influence to hifi audio sound such as discussions of the sonic characteristics of various amplifier topologies, the importance of simplifying the signal path, and identifying fantastic speaker/amplifier synergies, etc...

If some unsuspecting newbie were to stumble onto this forum they would likely come away thinking that a fuse or a piece of wire are the most important elements towards obtaining wonderful hifi sound. This is unfortunate. For example, my discovery of listening to a SET circuit years ago paired with speakers possessing a high and flat impedance greatly outshines any joy derived from identifying the finest digital cable produced by man. I'm simply questioning the hifi priorities that this forum seems to be obsessed with lately.

Is it just me?
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Showing 1 response by lucky_doggg7

Less than 30 posts...  Hmmm  :(

Tweaks...  There is no doubt that the core components are the foundation of a system.  Is there still something that is locked away in the core components that can be exposed?  I say yes.  And to what degree, I say a lot.  To start with an analogy, for a long time, I autocrossed on a 1+ mile challenging loop in a M3 in the San Diego Chapter of the BMWCCA.  My stock M3 while potent, it was a bit tail happy, and after some very hard brake usage, the brake fluid boiled, and my driving was done for the day.  While the M3 at its core is a great car, I later added Bilstein coilovers, poly bushes, thicker sway bars, wider and better Michelin tires, a wicked alignment with zero toe, Brembo 6 piston 380s up front, and 330-ish 4 piston brakes in the rear along with Motul 660 brake fluid, and other mods to increase performance.  I went from mid pack in my class to actually winning 2nd and 3rd place on occasion in a higher class.  

So it begs the question, how is it possible to spice up an already hot car?  It's entirely possible.  Switching gears and re-focusing on audio now, it is just the same; after trying it years ago, Symposium Roller Blocks, Symposium Isolation Platforms, and high quality cables, I am able to extract more out of my system.  Tweaks, while they may seem like an odd topic, they do work.  Now, tweaks will not overcome equipment that is not to one's liking, then absolutely yes, emphasis on a tweak is the wrong direction to go, but if one is satisfied relative to other gear, then tweaks to improve performance I think is an acceptable topic.