Beware the audio guru


There are a few contributors to these forums who apparently see themselves as gurus. They speak in absolutes, using words such as "always" and "never." They make pronouncements about products or techniques they’ve never heard or experienced, justifying their conclusions because contrary claims are "impossible" or "snake oil." Those who disagree are accused of being "deluded," or suffering some insurmountable bias, or attempting to further some commercial agenda. On occasion, they have taunted detractors with an appeal that they engage in a wager - one guy wanted $25,000 cash up front and an agreement drafted by lawyers. Another offered 5-to-1 odds.

I am not going to tell you who to believe. But for anyone who might be uncertain about sorting out conflicting claims here, I suggest they consider the behavior of experts in other fields. No good doctor offers a 100 percent guarantee on any treatment or surgical procedure, even if medical science suggests success. No good attorney will tell you that you have a case that positively can’t be lost, even if the law appears to be on your side. No true professional will insult you for the questions you ask, or abandon you if you seek a second opinion.

A doctor conducts his own tests. An engineer makes his own measurements. Neither will insist the burden of documentation falls upon you.

These might be details to consider as you sift through the many conflicting claims made on Audiogon. In short: Decide for yourself. Don’t let other people tell you how to think, or listen.
Ag insider logo xs@2xcleeds
@prof- As I mentioned before(while venting), " Whatever piques my interest: I’ll watch, listen, taste, touch, or smell it for myself, thank you." It seems, I’m not alone and find myself in good company(on and off, over the centuries). ie: https://withalliamgod.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/max-planck-on-god/ (albeit, only a list of, "Christian" scientists AND- not that I particularly agree with their individual theologies): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christians_in_science_and_technology It’s harder to tell, what(exactly) the many Jewish scientists(especially the plethora of physicists), have actually believed. I Do know it’s VERY hard, to separate a Jew, from their religion(.2% of the world’s population/22.5% of awarded Nobels- DISPORPORTIONATE?). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Jewish_scientists Thankfully, The Manhattan Project had a few AND(very possibly), Heisenberg sabotaged the Nazi’s atomic aspirations. Indeed: too bad there’s no lounge.
BTW: The topic of religion was introduced on the very first page, ninth response(and- popped up on others), so- non est mea culpa(OK, so I fed into it....shoot me)! No more from me in this thread(regarding religion), SO- save the flames and back to audio, "GURUS".
I’m not sure I get why religion is mentioned in the same sentence, breath or thread with audio, even with outrageous or preposterous audiophile tweaks. Because there’s no proof for religious beliefs. Oh, I suppose you could say there is evidence for God but even that’s a stretch. But for audio it’s a different story since there is empirical proof or evidence regarding every single one of things that give skeptics ❤️ 🔥. From Mpingo discs to directionality of wire to contact enhancers to Green Pen to things that go bump in the night like, you know, Silver 🌈 Foil and Message labels. The really disturbing stuff. 😩
rodman99999

Indeed, a lounge would have been fun to hash this out.

I'd like to find some time to respond to teo_audio's claims which venture into the philosophical (and which I find in some cases, dubious).

Everything can be dubious on forums, as we’re missing 90% of the actual proper communication in words vs actual physical presence. Even in the full presence communications, things can go pear shaped.

So I tend to put little true weight into written posts on forums, for whatever such is worth. Which can be akin to just 10%. Sorta. Kinda.

Our problems begin when our mind and bodies pick up the 10% that is communicated and make up the other 90%. We fill in with something coming from ourselves. Just like the monkey trying to suss out what is rustling in the tall grass on the edge of the clearing, in the Savannah. We must know and be wholly decisive, or we die. It’s a critical fundamental function of projection into the minor bits of data witnessed. It’s the core primary filters of mind and body that we have inherited and exist through.

It’s what we’re designed to do, and unless aware of it, we will tend to do that.

The dominoes of logic that might fall from that sort of observation... is that forums can be a greater mirror of self ~for all others to see~ than just about any other form of human communication that has ever been invented.

Thus, can what I’m typing now be the true shape, direction, meaning and intent that is in my mind right now?

Not even close. Barely in the same building. And it’s the best the written word can do.

To add, due to human emotions and the 90% individual personal fill in, being non-provocative is the best way to get the thought to remain in the equation for the reader.

But, without provocation, in some way, overall, people’s minds --- die on the vine. (see earlier bit about human mental growth from the given scientific article on human cranial evolution) (see the documentary ’century of the self’ to understand why, with the article in mind, how the west, specifically the USA, has been in a forced mental march ..into a massive mental downturn... into retardation for at least the past 50 years)

Problem is, having a position at all, and talking, or rather writing about it on a forum... is a guaranteed disaster in some fashion...as someone, somewhere, somehow.. will fill in and take offense. And that person will take their 100%, miss 90% of their mindset and true wide ranging intent simple due to the scenario of writing itself as a limited hangout in open reflection.... hit ’send’ on their reply...and then the reader can take that 10% they grok...and get all messed up about that...

And the ping pong goes on and on...