I can relate to or understand every experience and/or perspective presented thus far in this thread. Is it difficult, is it easy? Its all of the above, you just have to experience it for yourself, I think this 'hobby' is more a journey than some set path to some precise destination. And so many paths to follow on this journey, its all pretty mind boggling. On the other hand one could turn off the curiosity cap.
Is it possible to really know what you're doing?
Somehow I managed to select components that are getting along and feel comfortable with how things are sounding after many upgrades. I rely on others to advise along the way. I'm very good at asking questions.
Every facet of a set up is quite complicated. Even power cord's can be challenging. Name recognition is very important and there are so many names.
The technical aspects of everything involved is clearly overwhelming and requires a lot to barely understand. I've learned enough to know that I really don't understand a lot. At least I'm able to appreciate what I'm listening to which is all that really matters, and know if something sounds good.
Just my thoughts for what they are worth.
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Unfortunately, dealers have to pay for the equipment before they can display it and therefore diversity of what they have available is limited. I have tried so often to pursue components that dealers don’t even have even though they represent the brand. While There are exceptions fortunately, I’m finding more and more dealers have no experience with what they are selling. there are a lot of phenomenal components out there which I would love to explore but getting to them and understanding them better by actually listening to them it’s just not possible. There are people out there who truly understand what goes on inside all the mystery boxes but this is limited and I hate spending so much time talking to these people when know I probably won’t buy anything from them, but I really appreciate the time they spend with me. I don’t think anybody really enjoys making decisions about what audio equipment they buy because of all the poor marketing materials they have to read through and then in the end they have no clue at all about what they’re buying. |
In addition to what others have mentioned, I relied on Stereophile reviews and on seeing what gear manufacturers and dealers chose to use at a Stereophile-sponsored audio show I attended. I was fortunate also to know a dealer who sold me his demo units of the amplifier that was used in designing the speakers I bought (and still have). That helped greatly in getting the crucial match between amp and speakers. At a couple dealers I had heard the speakers with other amps, and these amps sounded better. So, I also relied on two high-end dealers whose ears and knowledge I respected to assemble the core of my system. |
+1. Why merry-go-round constant upgrade? Why do 99% a’philes listen by themselves? Why is this great/beautiful music listening activity a lonely hobby? Few decades ago, many people enjoy music, singing, and dance. Why not anymore? The musicality of hi-fi is declining. There are people who don’t want you to know the truth. It’s just good business. Alex/WTA
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