What do you do when you live hours from nowhere


Any suggestions when you live someplace with zero audiophiles and no stereo shops? I have, by far, the best system of anyone I know and I can't find anyone to relate to or from whom I can learn and experiment with.

I've tried to talk to some audiophiles in metro areas and get the snobby "brush off" and I find the advice here spotty (newbies showing off what they don't know and old guys not sharing what they do). In talking with the snots, If you happen to use a term incorrectly or don't mention soundstage or dynamics in describing a system they conclude you don't know anything about sound. If your equipment is different from what they think is correct then you're an idiot. If you ask a simplest question, you're an idiot. I've had good to excellent component systems for 40+ years, but I don't tend to use the lingo. The attitude is part of what has high end audio "shooting itself in the foot."
Ag insider logo xs@2xnab2
Where ARE you located? I've wondered what it would be like to be in, say, Montana, or N. Dakota. Then again, for all I know there are thriving pockets of underground activity in unlikely places!
I hate to say but the snobbery part of this hobby goes back along time. I remember when I went Into my first audio store at 15 years old and they would not give me the time of day.

Flashback 20 years later and it was about the same thing. I put most of my current system together on Audiogon buying mostly used. The few new pieces I have bought were from dealers that didn't have an attitude. There are times I want to audition a new piece of gear but I just don't want to hassle with the stores. I do enjoy going to the audio shows and I find them a lot less snobby. 

Unfortunately the the snobbery part of this hobby will never go away. I just guess it's part of the territory. I can tell you Audiogon is a lot less elitist than some of the other sites.
You do just what you are doing right now, start a thread with question. If you have been in the forums for awhile you will find that most Audiophiles on Audiogon are happy to assist and answer questions.
Depending on your music preferences - for instance if you're into heavy metal - you could listen at insane loud volume levels (100+ db) without being a bother to neighbors.