Lay Off the Newbies!


I always try to keep my posts constructive, but there is something that regularly goes on here that I think is detrimental to our hobby - A newbie has a simple question and a bunch of neurotic geezers (of which I include myself) jump on the guy with a million rules and rituals he must follow to achieve his goal, which ends up discouraging the guy right out of hobby. There was one analog thread on static where I recommended Gruv Glide and you geezers started in with so much BS- humidifiers, move to another climate, expensive gimmicks, etc, that GG would kill him and his records.  The end result? By the end of the thread, he sold his analog rig because he couldn't deal with the stress.  In a recent digital thread, you guys are recommending a newbie buy 20 year old transports.  All this does is just make newbies so stressed out that you'll drive them to MP3s.  Newbies need simple answers, commensurate with their experience level.  Buy a Rega table, screw in a Rega cartridge and play records.  They have plenty of time to turn into us.  Somehow we survived, listening to our Sansui receivers and JBL L-100s in bedrooms thick with pot smoke and spilled Boone's Farm.  And we made it.  Sometimes I'm amazed as well.  Let the young have fun while they can. Be well.  
chayro
There are no stupid questions.

 No, but many stupid statements by over eager first time purchasers/posters, which seem to be shillers, especially for "snake oil" product companies.

Cheers George
Thank you so much for this. I've been lurking in the shadows of this site but never joined specifically because of that, I'm afraid to ask a question. I signed up right after reading this just so I could post this. Thank you

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Welcome to AGon..
It can be a lot of fun, They unlock me twice a day.. :-)
Regards
@onhwy61: 

"But that is what it is. If you want a firm foundation in the electro/acoustics of music reproduction then reading a few books is a better source than an internet forum".

No doubt. To clarify, I was thinking of a "common sense foundation" rather than a deep dive into physics, which could prove highly intimidating-- general guidelines for the person who is curious about experiencing better than mid-fi but unsure how to get started. 


@hikevint, afraid to ask a question?  What's the absolute worst thing that can happen to you if you asked a question?  Conquer your fears and at the very least get your feet wet.
I would always suggest twenty year old gear because that was the last of the good stuff made before the change to all surface mount computer parts in everything.