Why do so many members seem afraid of making an audio decision?


I mean it's a hobby sort of.  It should be fun.  If you cannot hear the difference between two components, cables, or tweaks, then you can't.  It's ok not to.  Honestly, I sometimes think that some mass hysteria hits the audio community over a new product that later doesn't pan out or some (big)scandal, and people get bent out of shape over it. 

    Here in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs I'm fortunate to have a pretty good slice of audio dealers plus having very different opinions on the subject.  That I think is great.  I may not agree with some dealers' tastes or recommendations but that's also ok.  After doing this for a while, you learn from your mistakes and also get a handle on what you, yourself like without having to have someone else always telling you.  What I have learned over decades;  if I like something, I like something, and if I don't like it or hear it, or think it's an improvement, well I pretty much trust my own decision making.  I come to Audiogon hopefully to learn from the more experienced enthusiasts about recent developments and about my own stuff. 

128x128vitussl101

Showing 1 response by nonoise

Peer pressure can be an onerous thing to deal with. Learn to trust your ears. Seek out advice on what you’re unfamiliar with as to system/gear matching to avoid failure but not, ultimately, for listening pleasure. Keep separate the wheat from the chaff.

And even when auditioning, bear in mind that it will not end up sounding the same in your system when you get it home. By now you should be familiar with your system so be aware of that.

And finally, welcome advice but steer clear of someone else’s approval. Those that seek to impose themselves as the final arbiters of what is best for you are to be avoided. There’s something wrong with them.

All the best,
Nonoise