Sorry to quibble, but I'd rather say that I am and have been learning. Reading a lot of equipment reviews, more to glean a better basic technical understanding, has helped a lot. Engaging in a lot of Forum discussions with the likes of Ralph (Atmasphere), Al (Almarg) and other techies has really advanced the ball.
But here's a gripe. My interest in audio started about 40 years ago. Back then, there were a couple of high-end retailers who welcomed (or at least seemed to welcome) me and a couple of buddies to hang out and listen to gear and shoot the breeze. Also, I don't recall there were as many equipment brands to obsess about. Maybe there really were, but there wasn't interest either.
The oracle of the day was J Gordon Holt when he ran his underground Stereophile pamphlet. If JGH said something was good, it was good. But again, what did I know? I was a kid.
Well today it's hard NOT to make a mistake. Yeah, like many, I have bought and sold gear. I thought there was method to the madness.
Right now I'm stuck on speakers. I think I'm ok with my Paradigm S8s, but there's some other brands I'd like to check out. The thought of buying and trying and then ditching and trying again is a non-starter. My wife would skin me alive and frankly I don't have the energy. And like others have said, there just not that many high-end B&M stores around anymore, and for the one or two that might have some of the gear I am interested in, I am not comfortable "hanging out" like I did 40 years ago.
Bottom line: to call my progression a series of mistakes is harsh. It's more a steady process of figuring out what works and what doesn't, and the reasons why.
But here's a gripe. My interest in audio started about 40 years ago. Back then, there were a couple of high-end retailers who welcomed (or at least seemed to welcome) me and a couple of buddies to hang out and listen to gear and shoot the breeze. Also, I don't recall there were as many equipment brands to obsess about. Maybe there really were, but there wasn't interest either.
The oracle of the day was J Gordon Holt when he ran his underground Stereophile pamphlet. If JGH said something was good, it was good. But again, what did I know? I was a kid.
Well today it's hard NOT to make a mistake. Yeah, like many, I have bought and sold gear. I thought there was method to the madness.
Right now I'm stuck on speakers. I think I'm ok with my Paradigm S8s, but there's some other brands I'd like to check out. The thought of buying and trying and then ditching and trying again is a non-starter. My wife would skin me alive and frankly I don't have the energy. And like others have said, there just not that many high-end B&M stores around anymore, and for the one or two that might have some of the gear I am interested in, I am not comfortable "hanging out" like I did 40 years ago.
Bottom line: to call my progression a series of mistakes is harsh. It's more a steady process of figuring out what works and what doesn't, and the reasons why.