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top ten things you learned about HiFi on Agon

Here's my list in some semblance of order:

1. how to more critically listen to music and determine what my system is doing right and what areas could stand some improvement
2. room shape and speaker position matter a lot
3. about other websites where I can get more detailed information on a particular subject
4. importance of the source
5. importance of good power cables
6. importance of a solid foundation for your equipment
7. importance of tonearm and cartridge matching and setup
8. about silver fuses
9. concepts related to amp and speaker matching
10. the concept of overall system balance and working towards a particular system sound.

I have really learned quite a bit by coming on this site. I generally used to think I knew my way around HiFi gear, having built speakers and owned various systems over the years, some that worked "pretty good" (put together by budget, market research, ear and accident), and some... well, not-so-much. I have a much better idea of where my understanding is now (thus the screen name), and feel like I am only scratching the surface.

With that said, every time I listen to my system these days I am aware of how much better it sounds compared to only a few years ago - due in large part to advice based on your writings and rantings on here. And this accomplished by adding many tweaks, a few key accessories and without adding or swapping very many major parts over that time span (except three turntables and four cartridges [but no microphone!]). Thanks Agoners for all the great information!!!
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newbee
4,775 posts
 
Can't get to 10 without repeating what others have contributed, but here are a couple....

Most audiophiles listen to sound, not music.

Most audiophiles listen to what sounds good before paying attention to performance quality.

Many audiophiles think that great 'stereo imaging' will get them closer to the sound of a live performance.

Most audiophiles don't get out much and listen to live, unamplified, music. That way they can fantasize about how close their system's sound is to live sound.

Many audiophiles will spend a lot of money to obtain the bragging rights to say its not a fantasy.

Many audiophiles confuse (or substitute) a hobby for a religion or politics.

Many audiophiles are pining away for speakers that sound good in their rooms placed against the wall, or better yet in a corner. And, having failed, want to get some different cables, amps, whatever, to achieve this placement.

And, I just love Elizabeth's last paragraph. If you don't know the answer to a question you ask, how can you determine which of the answers you are given is correct? If any. And, if you do know the answer are you a troll?

Sorry, its a slow day! :-)
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
1. Learn
2. quickly
3. whom
4. to
5. listen
6. to
7. and
8. whom
9. to
10.dismiss.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
"then" for "than" being perhaps the most common confusion in Audiogon posts

Together with advise/advice, and lose/loose.

I can't quite get to 10 either, after everything else that has been said, but here are a half dozen, in no particular order:

1)The ability to quickly create a short list of products to consider in whatever category and price range I am looking to purchase, by researching member comments (and heavily filtering them based on my accumulated perceptions of the members' strong points and weak points).

2) The technical aspects of power distribution, grounding, and shielding (even though I am an experienced electrical engineer). Special thanks to Jea48.

3)About room equalization, subwoofer integration, and some of the subtleties of speaker design. Special thanks to Shadorne.

4)Lots of good things about amplifier design. Special thanks to Atmasphere, Steve McCormack, and Charles Hansen among others.

5) How satisfying it can be to help someone I don't know solve a frustrating technical problem.

6)Everything that Entrope and Elizabeth said, which I guess means that I'm "good at sorting out the bs." :)

Regards,
-- Al
mitch2
4,082 posts
 
1. Audio is a fun hobby; just don't take it too seriously,
2. music trumps equipment,
3. hype should be treated with a proportional amount of caution,
4. many excellent products never make the Stereophile Recommended Products list,
5. for best results trust your own ears,
6. carefully match equipment for system synergy, and don't neglect support, damping and room treatment,
7. deals that look too good to be true usually are,
8. doing your homework on equipment and checking seller feedback may keep you from being burned, but probably not from being occasionally singed,
9. enjoy the music reviews and threads here, and most importantly,
10. the time you spend on audio is nowhere near as valuable as the time you spend with the people in your life.
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
1. Understanding music as well as its reproduction is cognitive process which seems to surprise me every now and then........
2. It takes only two audiophiles to have three different opinions.
3. shady motives drive spotless individuals.
4.Foolish ask questions that the wise can NOT answer. (even if they try)
5.Foolish questions are the most popular of all.
6.It is always a silly thing to give advice, but to give good advice is absolutely fatal.
7. Getting off the Merry-Go-Around is possible ........until the next great thing.
8. Many have MBA in BS and Narcizm.
9. Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills. Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself.
10. Enjoy the music................. and let the others do the same.

Mariusz
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