What is your audio axiom?

Trust Your Ears

"Have your priorities straight. Purchase a house before building your dream system."

If it sounds good, it’s good music. ~ Duke Ellington

What I say to myself: "50% is the room, stupid."

I'd tell them that the most important thing is the music; I didn't enjoy songs any less as a teenager listening on a cheap clock-radio than I do now hearing them on a true audiophile system and a room with wall-to-wall carpet and no side-walls. But I'd also suggest to give a listen if they can to a good sound system; they might find a new pleasure.... 

Music first. And there is no absolute sound, only the sound you prefer. 

There is no spoon.

Everything is built to a price point. 

+1 @middlemass 

"If I liked it I would be disappointed."

Oh, and here's a short video that explains everything about this hobby...

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1165258265363533

DeKay

Recognize when to take the win.

Listen for yourself 

"Wow"

run away

"WHO CARES WHAT IT COSTS...... "what are the payments?"

@2psyop +1

My take … Recording technology and quality is the limiting factor to achieving a realistic reproduction of the performance or studio sound engineers intent.  The system, while important, is secondary.  
 

My #2 …  

+1 @jji666 

My take … Appreciation of the performance and composition is the primary goal.  The system is only the means to achieve that goal.  

The right sound is what makes you happy

Enjoy the music first - and appreciate the gear you have now. Take it slow. If funds are a concern, always consider buying used.

1) Variation in music/recordings is greater than variation in gear.

2) If sound differences of gear are not obvious*, they are not there or are irrelevant because of 1)

* based on "Statistics proves the obvious"

Patience, listen, research, learn. This is a long term pursuit that can be incredibly rewarding. However you have to be comfortable with ambiguity and learn to listen and hear. Each turn can be rewarding. Early days are the hardest until you get the basics down: not believing marketing hype, measurements, and in "Giant Killers". Sound quality comes in different flavors... highly detailed, punchy, natural and musical. The later is likely to be the most satisfying long term... but lots of folks like sound spectacular system. Figure out what you like... but realize it will change over time. 

Not one thing, and only a tiny sliver.

" buy lightly used and your money will go twice as far".

Lots of great top advice. Nice stuff.

“It’s both worth it and not worth it.”

“It’s worth it” - what audiophiles tell themselves when purchasing a component 

“it’s not worth it” - how audiophiles view many/most above budget components

….now, what about your spouse? 😉

@dweller Very sage advice but in many parts of the country thats a bit of a reach. Why wait to begin the journey toward the dream system? 

I always tell myself "do not comment on streamer or pricey cables discussions". 

Entire towns have been burnt down over disagreements about the value of [x] dollar interconnects.   

90% of what you read on this forum or any audiophile forum is BS.

Be sure you can audition the equipment in your listening room connected to your system before buying or buy but be able to return for no or a low cost.  A good store, retailer or manufacturer will usually let you.  If not, buyer beware.  You could get stuck with a piece of equipment you don’t like. 

@larsman 

How do you have a room with no sidewalls? Isn't that outdoors?

Don’t be seduced by the hype.  Use your ears and don’t be afraid to say when the naked emperor is before you 

There is always a time and place for achieving our goals in life.We all start at the bottom of the ladder but as we progress and experience life, we will lean towards our passions and whatever makes us feel good.If music is your thing, I say listen to the music first and later if you have the means to experiment with different components, by all means go for it, life is short.

My audio axiom is Relax. 

90% of what you read on this forum or any audiophile forum is BS

10% value is better than the average for what mankind produces in general

@ozzy62 - it would seem that way, yeah? But in my apartment I've got a long livingroom and I have my gear set up width-wise, not length-wise, so on one side I've got about 15 feet until the window wall, and on the other side about 10 feet from the opening that leads to the front door. So while there are technically walls, they are far enough away so as not to affect the sound. 

The recording is 75% of the experience, the other half is mental - Yogi Berra