"How do you learn?" is one fascinating topic. I’ve read that learning involves making new connections between neurons, literally re-wiring the brain, which is why repetition is so often involved. But I don’t think that is what the OP had in mind. Even though it is literally the title. Kind of like the "What there is" thread. Both truly fascinating topics, unfortunately nothing to do with what the OP really meant.
It is all enough to make me wonder, "How do we learn to write what we mean?"
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An indication that you have found a comfort level. I became better at listening and understanding the lingo. You made an effort and have shown an interest! Now dig in ... The tech side (lingo) of is about the ' nature of the beast '. Any technical background especially basic electronics / sound engineering will help move ahead quicker. As stated this is a beginning point. |
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The best thing to do for me was listening experiments with simple materials...
Articles and books gives ideas not the low cost solutions at all...
They sell something with the new idea....then keep the idea and dont buy any stuff...
experiment and listen....
It was my gratifying solution....
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Where ever you go you will run into bias. Since speakers are the most important item read The Loudspeaker Handbook (Second Edition) by John Eargle.
Rule #1 Never listen to anyone who is trying to sell you something. This includes reviewers who are agents of the companies that advertise in their rag. Reviewers are generally not technical people, they are English majors. John Atkinson of Stereophile is an exception.
Rule #2 Never listen to anyone who owns the equipment you are interested in. It will always be "great."
Rule #3 Books are best.
As for Audiogon the advice here is all over the map extending from excellent to mythological.
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“How Do You Learn?”
Why the Audiogon forums of course! |
You can look up different books online or you could consult someone online on the forums but reading a book will help more. |
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Stereophile, mainly Herb Reichert, and analog planet’s Michael Fremer...just a few...lots can be learned by just reading reviews, even on equipment you could never realistically afford...there is no one source really, you just have to continually seek the info you desire...the internet is a wonderful thing. I second the book suggested by MC... |
Not this forum.
Possibly Steve Guttenberg but Stereophile and Absolute Sound are not bad also. The German magazine Stereo is good also but a bit Eurocentric in the gear it covers.
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Thanks for the link Nonoise! |
@millercarbon
I’ll have to come up and claim that chicken dinner sometime… if this pandemic would ever end. I spent last week in Leavenworth… closer to your place. |
You need a solid information base. So an absolute requirement is: The Complete Guide to High-End Audio. by Robert Harley Winner winner chicken dinner! I was gonna say that but didn't want to just give it away. There is so much in that book, the typical audiophile even after many years can pick it up and still learn a lot. Highly recommended! |
I like to watch Youtube for product reviews, commentaries and the like. I've learned quite a bit from watching 'reputable' audiophiles. |
The Absolute Sound magazine. But, a single source is never enough. Stereophile. Maybe HiFi+. These must be read in conjunction with listening to equipment that has been reviewed. You need a solid information base. So an absolute requirement is: The Complete Guide to High-End Audio. by Robert Harley |
A local audio dealer that has the best sounding equipment that I could visit weekly.
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Find a hi-fi shop with the best sound. Learn what you like, then try to duplicate what you heard at the shop and make your home system sound the same. |
To answer “just one source”, I would say Stereophile magazine. Years ago they had a reviewer that shared my taste in music and preference for gear. I found that helpful in future upgrades, although most of my gear was never on Stereophile’s Recommended Components List. When he reviewed equipment with music I had, I could compare what I heard with his comments. I became better at listening and understanding the lingo. Although a reviewer may give a glowing report, the equipment may not give the same results to someone with different system components, room, music preference and ears. But it can still be helpful and educational. I know the magazine has its detractors but I consider it one of the better resources for reviews, information and audio news. I’m a long time subscriber. I’ve subscribed to most of the other audio mags over the years (many defunct), this is one of the last ones standing and one of the best. |
Depends what you want to learn. It’s a big subject. Throw us a bone.
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@nonoise
Thanks for sharing that link! |
That's not a source. That's a list of sources. Might as well say, "Search Bar".
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@nonoise is on to it. Synthesis required, as is discernment….
A steady diet of live music is not just backdrop…. |
What do you mean? What are you trying to "learn"? There is no One source.
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If you want to keep apace of what’s going on in HIFi and have the time to check it out, this is what I do. Every day. No need to read everything as you’ll get to like certain ones and reacquaint yourself with others you used to read. All the best, Nonoise |
the best is to go for college books on electronics. the rest of information is biased for profit. |
there is no one ultimate source.
in 1994 when i got seriously into hifi system building and music collection building, the internet was in it’s infancy, and there were zero on line forums. it was hard print Hifi magazines, the occasional show, and dealers. we also had a local hifi club. over time i made hifi friends and it took some energy and effort to learn stuff.
initially i did rely on my local dealer for their guidance, for about 4-5 years while i learned. during those 5 years i used all the above sources, listened and asked questions, tried to determine what i liked and did not like. figured out the most credible sources for information. at that point i started to understand what i liked and did not like. i developed my own reference to some degree, and then moved beyond the dealer’s products.
about that time 1999-2001 forums were emerging as sources for information.
my advice; actively find all the information you can, if you know someone with a system you like, ask lots of questions. keep your mind open to alternate approaches to system building. nothing wrong with a brick and mortar dealer for info.
hifi forums can be great places to learn. don’t limit yourself to Audiogon; there are other’s.
good luck, my learning process has been a true pleasure and have made many friends and had great experiences. the confidence to make good decisions takes time to attain. no hurry. |
