The Intellectual People Podcast - Galen Gareis (Former Belden Wire Designer)

Thinking, and using the huge available knowledge set available to us, as well as our own expertise is not cynicism, it is called critical thought. Most technically knowledgeable people in an area more skeptical of claims, and they are also more immune to confirmation bias. 


When I am looking to invest in mining stocks, I don't ask my dentist nor the guy who drives a truck at the mine. I talk to my friend who is a mining executive and another friend who is a geologist. Using a piece of equipment does not give you expertise. It is like asking someone who drives a car, whether a manufacturers claims of reduced emissions due to platinum/palladium alloys in the catalytic converter is true. Use of something does not confer expertise.

dletch2,
Your automobile analogy in regard to "reduced emissions due to platinum/palladium alloys in the catalytic converter" is exactly how I would expect you to pick the audio equipment that is right for you.

Others may prefer the listening technique though  

The argument dudes like dletch make over and over has nothing to do with listening. It’s just an argument for the sake of argument. Nothing to do with audio, listening, or music

You don't listen, you watch and then draw conclusions about what you see and assign those conclusions as exclusively the domain of your hearing. At least be honest with yourself.

The arguments you make full time every day, over and over, has nothing to do with listening. It’s just an argument for the sake of argument. Nothing to do with audio, listening, or music