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I think it’s completely overwhelming...

I think it’s completely overwhelming to people sometimes, maybe most times, when they come here to the Audiogon threads for advice.  Most of the time they are going in the wrong direction right from the start, which in turn misleads 5 others down the the wrong road of suggestions. 
 I’m not sure what the  answer is so I’m just throwing this out there for thoughts and to open a discussion about it.

I think you have to enjoy geeking out on all of the different equipment (speakers, amps, pre amps, dacs, tubes, speaker wire, acoustic treatments, power cords, outlets, power conditioners, on and on...it’s overwhelming for the poster who isn’t already interested in this.  Also, I see all the time how people don’t look at the whole picture when it comes to achieving good sound. In my book, thats what makes an audiophile different.  An audiophile can achieve great sound for a total of $1500; shoot, maybe a lot less.  It’s actually more rewarding to put together a $500 system that knocks your buddies socks off than a $5,000 that no one understands why it’s so good.

Back to the point though.  If someone has a 100 watt surround sound receiver, that clips under a 4 ohm load, and thinks it’s wise to spend $10,000 on speakers and call it game over, we may want to help them understand that it might be better to spend $3000 on an amp, $5000 on speakers, $1500 on cables.... whatever or however you personally think a system should be broken down.  
I think that those of us who have experienced it for ourselves, can put together a $2500 set up that sounds great, when taking into consideration speaker placement and equipment choices and looking at the system as a whole.

I was at a time attack event a few years ago and there was this 18 year old girl (whom I’m sure had professional training / guidance) driving a stock, base model dodge neon around the track on 3 wheels faster than 60 year old rich guys in Porsche 911 Turbos.  She’s an audiophile who just happened to get into racing instead.  Just imagine what she could do with that Porsche 911 Turbo 😁
128x128b_limo
gwbeers
76 posts
 
Millercarbon's quote
"He was faster only because he knew how to drive better."
Reminds me of the expression - "it's not the wand it's the magician"
 
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brucenitroxpro
23 posts
 
Remember "common sense?" That is being able to put the MOST important things first, then look for more details, if necessary.

The LARGEST variable in ANY system is going to be the main USER of the system. His/Her own ability to HEAR, understand, judge, feel and decide the REST of the variables is key.

Since MOST "audiophiles" are self absorbed, this is lost on them. The fact that they are the direct observer, judge, and usually client (the one who pays for it all) makes this a very enjoyable group to fool, befuddle and con with continuing lies and distortions of things which are payed for in the four digit upward range. Most people can't hear worth a damn. 
ianrodger
164 posts
 
The room is a pretty important variable too. Should we start with that or end with it? Probably just consider it as a link in the chain I would think.
Moving everything to a different room has been the most profound tweak for me.
With no room conditioning at all and using the same hardware, it makes everything else I’d done previously now just seem like deck-chair shuffling.
That’s about as simple as it can get if you have the luxury to consider it.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,552 posts
 
@enginedr1960 The hi-fi scene seems very robust in the UK. Most likely, it's due to the great heritage of idlers, tubes, and speakers, the willingness and ability to tweak rather than spend, and the density of population. I envy them their DIYaudio and wigwam.
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