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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 3 responses by mitch2

mitch2
3,697 posts
 
@mike_in_nc 
you pretty much nailed the psychology behind this recent tweakery.  How about helping me sneak a new bicycle into the house?  My tactic so far is that the more bicycles you have, the less likely one more will be noticed.  That approach sort of works with stereo equipment too.
mitch2
3,697 posts
 
MC, yours is the first mention of Mahgister I can find in this thread. First you create a parallel derogatory thread (since deleted) and now this false narrative.  What is it about the OP’s topic that is causing your reaction? 
mitch2
3,697 posts
 

Relevant internet definitions I found for “tweak” are mostly along the lines of,

“improve (a mechanism or system) by making fine adjustments to it”

and

“to adjust slightly; to fine-tune”

In the audio world, these definitions align with my belief that tweaks are the final efforts one makes to optimize the sound of a system. They may be system dependent (i.e., some tweaks may work best with specific gear) or they may be universal in that certain tweaks may improve the sound of most or all systems. For example, many here have amp stands or isolation platforms that have survived multiple changes of the equipment supported on them, and they continue to improve the sound of the owner's system. 


To the OP’s question, IMO, for a given room, the selected components and speakers determine the basic sound of a system while tweaks can be implemented to remove minor deficiencies and/or to enhance the sonic qualities already being delivered by the existing system components. I believe cables may have a bit more influence than most other tweaks, but I certainly do not believe the impact of a cable on system sonics is anywhere near that of a component or speaker.  IME, tweaks and cables are to a system what the sweeper is to the curler…..the sweeper can help but the stone still needs to be travelling in the right general direction at the right speed.

 

I believe the polarization seen in these threads mostly results from the vast chasm between the magnitude of changes/improvements being reported by some as a result of adding a tweak compared to the insistence by others that a certain tweak (or cable) can’t possibly affect the sound of a system. It isn’t that people don’t hear changes between components, speakers, cables, or tweaks because most here report that they do.   It’s the magnitude of the difference between the two sides of the argument coupled with the increasingly higher prices being charged for this stuff that apparently neither side can live with. Although I have an opinion, I try to listen and judge for myself, vote with my own wallet, and let others do the same.

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