Very very good posts. I enjoyed reading them all. As typical with most things, there are different levels involved and most people start at a lower to medium level based on knowledge, experience or money available.
So, to me it depends on whom is asking about stereo equipment and what they should get. Where are they in their life regarding music? So, using my experience, both good and bad, I use the experience in talking with others. Elizabeth's post was insightful and funny, but true. many other's were well written and true also. But in agreement with Elizabeth and others, here are some of mine.
1. Not knowing your price point. (which is hard to know unless and until you know what is out there)
2. Not being aware of how you would listen to music. Do you listen to music as background music, serious sit down for hours listening or a combination of both?
3. Buying a system before knowing if your Home theater will be combined with listening room? This is really important.
4. Buying before listening to it in your system and in your home. This really must be avoided.
5. Letting someone or some dealer talk you into buying something, you really didn't need and not performing item 4 above.
6. Unless it was sold at a price you simply couldn't walk away from, not walking away first and thinking. This is also really important. I never let anyone rush me into buying by threatening that it won't be there when I return or that the price will be different. I have to walk away for a time to think first. Always. If I'm rushed, I simply will not buy.
So, to me it depends on whom is asking about stereo equipment and what they should get. Where are they in their life regarding music? So, using my experience, both good and bad, I use the experience in talking with others. Elizabeth's post was insightful and funny, but true. many other's were well written and true also. But in agreement with Elizabeth and others, here are some of mine.
1. Not knowing your price point. (which is hard to know unless and until you know what is out there)
2. Not being aware of how you would listen to music. Do you listen to music as background music, serious sit down for hours listening or a combination of both?
3. Buying a system before knowing if your Home theater will be combined with listening room? This is really important.
4. Buying before listening to it in your system and in your home. This really must be avoided.
5. Letting someone or some dealer talk you into buying something, you really didn't need and not performing item 4 above.
6. Unless it was sold at a price you simply couldn't walk away from, not walking away first and thinking. This is also really important. I never let anyone rush me into buying by threatening that it won't be there when I return or that the price will be different. I have to walk away for a time to think first. Always. If I'm rushed, I simply will not buy.