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
In OPs case the Internet and sites like this are the solution.

There are many well intending members here that will give straight unbiased answers to specific questions.   Figure out who you trust and consider what they say.  Ask specific questions and once you get to a point where things appear to make sense perhaps give something new a try.

I recommend focusing on tweaking and optimizing whatever you have this way first before changing a thing.    Many have gear capable of really good results already but perhaps have not been able to get things set up optimally to-date.

Once you know what what you have can do, then you are in a good position to make changes as needed.

Only you can hear your system and determine whether it floats your boat or not.  In the end that's all that matters.   There is no other way. 

If interested try to attend live concerts and performances and use that info to help learn what things really sound like in different venues, amplified versus acoustic, listening from different locations/seats, etc., if that matters to you.   It may not to many and that is fine.  Only you know what matters to you.   Don't let extremist audiophiles take you somewhere that perhaps you are not interested in being.
@mapman , that's brilliant advice.  I understand some of the OP's frustration in this forum.  I've experienced the broad gamut of inciteful brilliant advice to some really rude and nasty characters.  But I urge the OP to hang in there and enjoy the ride.  It can be remarkably rewarding.
I live in a rural area and celebrate the beauty and total silence. I have gotten know people on Audiogon and once mutual respect and rapport is established, often first through Private Message and then by phone, one person has flown 1,000 miles to hear my system and I have traveled 6 hours by car hear another's. Also when I travel to a city, I often stop by stores of good reputation to hear systems. But most rewarding are the personal contacts which bring lively discussion and often exposure to music that I have never heard that at times becomes an essential part of my collection
I have always lived in an area where there were no independent B&M operations. Atlanta GA is the closest for me...


Keep me posted & Happy Listening!