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Why do Audiophiles feel the need...

Why do so many audiophiles feel the need to post opinions on gear they've never owned or had such limited experience with that their opinion is valueless to the OP? Not only here, but on other audio forums, at least 50% of the posts (and I think I'm being generous) start with: I've never heard the XYZ but...

When I was participating in an auto detailing forum, teaching myself the finer points of achieving an exquisite auto finish, if someone would ask about brand X polish, I would never see a post stating: "I've never used it, but..."

My opinion is that many people spend so much time dreaming about this stuff that they've convinced themselves they know what it actually sounds like. I know it's only a hobby, but I think a poster who asks about a specific piece of gear is better served by opinions of those with experience with that gear. Maybe it's just me. Sorry if I offended anyone.
chayro
zenblaster
504 posts
 
Some people have an overwhelming urge to feel a part of something and contribute. Just let them be and ignore their posts.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
I've never read a post like that, but I don't think it's a real problem. If I ever saw a post that began that way I would simple stop reading it and go to something else. Did you follow my advice?
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
It would save a lot of time to simply post, "You're a moron if you don't buy X, which I own." Simple declaration, followed by potential condemnation is always more efficient.
jazdoc
365 posts
 
I really have nothing to say about this topic but I did want to post something.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
an opinion is neither true nor false. if someone owns a component it is still impossible to know what it sounds like. don't take my word for it. it can be proven, mathematically.

how useful is an opinion about a component one has owned ?

probably of some value. yet, there is a risk in taking opinions and acting on them,e.g., purchasing a component.

i think the most value from anecdotal reports is when there is a comparison between "a" and "b" .

for example, comparing the "sound" of two preamps gives a relative relationship between the affects of placing two components into a stereo sytem, without saying what each component sounds like.

i am going through the process of selecting a preamp. i am a little hesitant about asking for opinion about each of the preamps i am considering which are:

cj et2, audionote kits l2, art audio and gill audio preamps , cary audio slp 98 and audiovalve eklipse.

i am going to try to audition as many as i can rather than asking for opinion.

however, any comparisons between the affects of comparisons may help. perhaps if there were a consensus say, comparing the cary with an art preamp as to tonal balance, it might eliminate one of the products. unfortunately system dependence is a consideration.

the relevance of this to the thread is: owning the product does not necessarily make for more useful information, because an opinion has some probability of being true and false, and the probability is unknown.
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