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

some develop their own mental listening reference for decisions, and their own decision process. some prefer to rely on other’s opinions and trust their references. for some the process of investigation is work, or maybe not something they have the time (or opportunity) to do.

both are legit approaches.

personally one of the most satisfying parts of the hobby is system building decision making. just love the personal listening investigations.....and posting about it.

i went a couple years of reading reviews and getting recommendations for gear purchases and eventually 20 some years ago, found my own ear for things. it’s something one can learn.

The stuff costs a lot of money. It can make a mess of a room. Putting it to full use can drive other family members...not to mention neighbors...nuts. The magazines and websites that cater to the trade possess writers who are talented and convincing enough to make you think that your opinions...or shall we say your ears...are less than stellar. In other words, the pursuit isn't exactly guilt-free.

Then again, it ain't like a motorcycle. The worst that can happen to you is a bit of tinnitus, and a hernia from lugging the components around the room in order to find their perfect locales.

Having gone from a city once rich in audio retail (NYC) to Austin (which is pretty thin on the ground), many people cannot get the opportunity to audition equipment before they buy- let alone in their own systems. That of course is the ideal before plunking down your hard-earned.

The direct to consumer models, where home trial is offered, with some adjustment on returns/shipping costs borne by the buyer, is OK- I guess for smaller items- say a DAC-- it may not be a big deal. But, for larger items, turntables that require set up, cartridges- which are usually not returnable unless defective, people simply don't have the opportunity to assess for themselves. 

Thus, the agonizing. I think people are better served by user input from those who have actual hands-on experience than by the legacy audio press. Obviously, no two systems and rooms are the same either. But a broad cross section of users of a specific piece of gear should give the reader a fairly good gauge of what the unit in question can do, what its weaknesses are, where the synergies lie. 

Nothing wrong with that in my estimation. That is one of the values of a forum such as this. 

Very much associated with inability to hear vast majority of components one may be contemplating purchasing. And then, even if you can, really need an audition to hear in your system, and then that audition may need to be longer term to fully discern sound qualities.

Add to that so many choices today.

And then, as our systems evolve and become more transparent, resolving we can hear minutiae formerly unheard, makes for more exacting process to choose the component that has perfect synergy with rest of system.

Along with above evolution comes evolving cost factors, price to play continues to rise, more money on table may create more anxiety.

No doubt competitiveness comes into play for some, in order to be considered expert one has to have best. Humans do love their hierarchies, and most like to be at top.

I'm sure others will have much to say on the whole subject of insecurities in this so called hobby.