Audiphile Press: Am I jaded, experienced, or has it declined?

The Science hasn't changed - only those delivering the message. Once you've learned the Science, everything else is noise. You probably reached "Music Nirvana" years ago but forgot to filter out the noise. Has some gear technology's changed? Absolutely! But if you've been in this hobby long enough, you know better than chasing every new thing hitting the market. Over the past 20 years a few things in the stream have changed/improved (better amps, processors, DACs, Home Theater) but "the Science" remained the same. Once you've grown your system to near or showroom class, it should sound at the Audiophile level for years. 

Being retired, I have more time than ever to read , but the only magazine I’m currently getting is Stereophile. Mostly because the ads that lead down various rabbit holes. I read the threads here for the same reason.

Having said that, with almost all the hifi stores closing around me, I am reading more and listening less to new equipment. 

I would be very sad if the science of audio had not changed in 20 years, but certainly the measurements in popular press/dialogue are the same.

Erik I think the problem is twofold there are just  so many online publications not to mention Youtube reviewers. And a lot of reviewers seem to be reviewing the same gear as their competitors.  And as stated above so much bad writing, I guess at least with YT that’s not an issue. However I like to read audio review while listening to music so no YT for me.

And Art Dudley is indeed missed as is Listener and a shoutout to one of my favorite long lost hifi rags Fi magazine.

Seems audience for the rags is not audiogon posters. I wonder what their circulation numbers are these days, how it compares to other times. As for their audience, I stereotype it as wealthy novices. I do like Herb, he gets into smaller manufacturers, supplies plenty of context, also provides interesting asides, real four season individual.