The myth of "best" in audio needs to be addressed by all of us


After spending a year and half deeply immersed in audiophilia (with so much enjoyable benefit), I've identified my tendency (seemingly share by many) to chase the fantasy of "best" in this perfectionistic hobby/pursuit.  It leads to obsessiveness, second-guessing, acrimony between audio tribes, and personal insecurity when reading these forums and all the reviews.  

But, thinking about it, how could there ever be a "best" component, cable, or speaker for listening to music.  This is a subjective experience!!! 

From a purely measurement/engineering perspective -- "best" could mean a lot of things (but they don't automatically mean more enjoyable sonics). 

In listening and enjoying music, there is no "best" -- only "favorite".  And even "favorite" can change -- it certainly has for me.  I've gone back and forth multiple times on all sorts of gear preferences. You can like what you like, you don't have to defend it, and nobody should mess with it!

Anybody else want to fight the harmful myth of "best" in audio?
redwoodaudio
I think it’s a natural tendency to eye the grass elsewhere and perceive that it’s greener.  There are days when I think this can’t get any better, and then the next day playing the same recording having a niggling bit of dissatisfaction.  I also think that there addictive aspects to this hobby.  We make a change, perceive it as an improvement, appreciate aspects of recordings that we didn’t before, and get a type of buzz from that.  Like all addicts, eventually I want to feel that sensation again...
Like others have already said, experienced listeners know there's no such thing as "best" and a component's excellence or lack thereof is partially dependent on system and room context. Our cultural media environment encourages dumbed down and simplistic views of every complicated and nuanced issue, audio isn't any different. 
Class A, Tannoy, a tubed phono stage, and vinyl "IS" the Best! 😁
At least in my little itsy bitsy world.....
MC dislikes this notion because deep down inside he knows that he owns the best and makes it even better with MC certified tweaks.   This is the only truth.  The reason his friends “best” stereo sounded like crap is because MC played his CD, contrary to his continuous crusade against all sources digital.  I am surprised MC owns a CD.