Beware the audio guru


There are a few contributors to these forums who apparently see themselves as gurus. They speak in absolutes, using words such as "always" and "never." They make pronouncements about products or techniques they’ve never heard or experienced, justifying their conclusions because contrary claims are "impossible" or "snake oil." Those who disagree are accused of being "deluded," or suffering some insurmountable bias, or attempting to further some commercial agenda. On occasion, they have taunted detractors with an appeal that they engage in a wager - one guy wanted $25,000 cash up front and an agreement drafted by lawyers. Another offered 5-to-1 odds.

I am not going to tell you who to believe. But for anyone who might be uncertain about sorting out conflicting claims here, I suggest they consider the behavior of experts in other fields. No good doctor offers a 100 percent guarantee on any treatment or surgical procedure, even if medical science suggests success. No good attorney will tell you that you have a case that positively can’t be lost, even if the law appears to be on your side. No true professional will insult you for the questions you ask, or abandon you if you seek a second opinion.

A doctor conducts his own tests. An engineer makes his own measurements. Neither will insist the burden of documentation falls upon you.

These might be details to consider as you sift through the many conflicting claims made on Audiogon. In short: Decide for yourself. Don’t let other people tell you how to think, or listen.
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Showing 4 responses by amg56

Our ears (or what we perceive to hear) are our only way of determining whether we like an electronic combination with speakers. It matters not how much an item costs, or its specifications, if one does not like the sound being heard, then the equipment is not purchased.

Items and spurious addons that have appeared of late that opine to enhance what we hear is subjective and buyer beware. These are not cheap and some take significant effort to reverse.

I find that posts that flood with religious fervour of a "thing" are the worst, and I immediately am on the defensive. Interestingly, it is these posts that charge the air with two sides, the gurus and naysayers.

Human personalities are all different and how we appreciate the information we are given will fuel a positive or negative position. If we keep the conversation civil and centred, these posts will be more palatable and of interest.

@supertweak

Geoff's avatar is a voodoo doll with pins in it. He just loves playing around with peoples heads. Ignore it....

Audio and the electronic instruments we use to send it to our choice of speakers is arbitrary, or a person's appreciation of what is being heard. If you put a sound wave monitor against a speaker and have two people look at the electronic meter which says "x", each person will appreciate "x" differently. The appreciation may be close or enough for one to say that the sound if off, flat or sharp. This appreciation goes way back to the designer of the HiFi components. If ALL HiFi speakers were the same cost, and auditioned in the same room with the same electronic components, I bet there would be people buying all type of brands and sizes, irrespective of the "REAL" cost. Peoples hearing, their appreciation of what they hear is simply different. I am no guru, and my hearing is off. But I have chosen components that sound ok to me. To another person, it may sound like crap. That's life.

@onlyqualityhifi I won't disparage the humble fuse anymore...

I understand what you say about the amplifier, but it may only exaggerate the garbage in scenario, to bigger garbage out. IMHO... A.