WHY DO SOME AUDIOPHILES TRY TO TELL OTHERS WHAT THEY CAN OR CAN’T HEAR IN A SYSTEM?


I ask the question. Because I have had several discussions on Audiogon where certain posters will try to tell another person what they can or can’t hear in a system. Most of the time never hearing or having experiences either the piece of equipment, cables etc. It is usually against those that spend money on more expensive equipment and cabling. Why is this so prevalent.  

calvinj

I agree w/ those who recognize many audiophiles are siloed, post to seek reassurance, or affirmation,(usually because we get none of that at home) and come to these forums to seek empathy for our unlovable obsession, ("You spent how much for that needle?"), and may risk a terminating bite by daring to nudge ourselves into the lion's pack, only to be sniffed out as lambs.  I paint this woeful scene because...

1. nothing is more painful than rejection by your "betters", those you look up to, want to join with. 

2. This hobby rarely is affirmative beyond our own ears.  Most everyone I know thinks I'm crazy,  building something so "expensive" when I "..can get sound just as good with a bluetooth receiver and iphone".

And 3. The music of today mostly sucks,( sorry, it does), so when I'm caught listening to decades-old music beyond 65db I'm often asked to "turn it down."  I'm just this geezer "living in the past", with "all that black junk, all the wires", and "all those old albums and CDs; can't you move that stuff into the garage?". 

Not only advice, and suggestions, I come here for solace and sanity, because you (mostly), understand.  So, please keep it mind, we're just  trying to keep good company. 

Thecarpathian

‘Are you related to Paul Harvey?’

 

Wish l was! I wonder what he did with the 10 year $100 million contract he signed?

I did get quite near to a famous ‘Harvey’ in the 70s. I was lucky to see James Stewart in London acting in his stage play, Harvey. Those who know of his original film of the same name will also be aware of his imaginary friend.

I hope some out there ‘get’ the simile l have drawn here…..Like ‘audiophile’ and the imaginary ‘rabbit’…..neither things are real in the end….or are they?

My best advice.  Trust your on ear and ability to hear and identify what you like or don’t like.  It’s you that’s listening. It’s not a science project. It’s music. 

@hilde45 how do you explain the grandmother that doesn't necessarily use science, only experience and intuition to cook a glorious tasting meal.