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 2 responses by russbutton

As others have said here, we are hesitant because of the money involved and the cost of mistakes.  This is supposed to be enjoyable, not a worry.  You're supposed to love what you're doing, not agonize over the reality that perfection is unattainable.

What I suggest is that you go DIY as much as you can.   You'll learn a lot more, and being "hands on" gives a vastly deeper sense of involvement.   Instead of taking opinions of others, you get to make your own choices.   You get to make it exactly the way you want it.  You get to learn from your failures.  

DIY is so much more fun I can't begin to tell you.  And it's a ****LOT**** cheaper!  How much do you lust after the Big Ticket loudspeakers at $50k or more?   I see people agonize thinking that they HAVE to spend at least $30k, but are wincing every time they put gas in their car.

The Linkwitz LX521 is one of the very finest loudspeaker systems on the planet.  And it's a system, not just a loudspeaker.  That's because it has an active crossover.  You can either go with analog or digital crossovers.   It's a multi-amplified system, so you can build your own from class D modules, or choose from many multi-channel amps out there.  The cabinet is not hard to build.  And one of the most rewarding aspects is that it is something we mere mortals can afford!  The most expensive element is the amplifier choice.   For less than the cost of a used 2013 Nissan Leaf, you could have a truly hi-end loudspeaker system equal to or better than loudspeakers costing more than a new, top-end Tesla Model S.  And the satisfaction you get with DIY cannot be matched by any purchase in a dealer showroom.

Even building a Bob Latino amp kit brings endless satisfaction.

Go DIY as much as you can and you will know happiness.

@ghdprentice 

 

There are a couple of ways to go DIY.  It's great fun to do your own engineering.  You learn a great deal.  But you can always let someone else do the engineering and you just build their design.  You suggest that a DIY guy isn't going to have great sound and great music.  Many experimenters do take time to get there, but you can build someone else's design and have true hi-end sound at a price we mere mortals can afford.

Perhaps you're one of those guys who buys his audio the same way he buys his luxury cars.  Bully for you.  Glad you can afford it.  I've met plenty of guys who dropped $30k and more on a pair of speakers that 5 years later, they're trying to find a buyer for at 75% less.

But if you had built the Linkwitz LX521 system, you'd have your "forever" loudspeaker system at $6k or less, depending on the amp choice you made.  You'd have a far superior system and money left over to put down on that next Tesla.