Audiophile Priorities and Recent Topics


I'm increasingly fascinated by the number of threads that have been created lately by OP's who have joined over only the last 2 months with less than 30 posts that all seem related to the importance of wires and tweaks. While I'm not dismissing the notion that everything matters in hifi (including digital cable), it seems that these topics vastly overwhelm thread topics that clearly would have more influence to hifi audio sound such as discussions of the sonic characteristics of various amplifier topologies, the importance of simplifying the signal path, and identifying fantastic speaker/amplifier synergies, etc...

If some unsuspecting newbie were to stumble onto this forum they would likely come away thinking that a fuse or a piece of wire are the most important elements towards obtaining wonderful hifi sound. This is unfortunate. For example, my discovery of listening to a SET circuit years ago paired with speakers possessing a high and flat impedance greatly outshines any joy derived from identifying the finest digital cable produced by man. I'm simply questioning the hifi priorities that this forum seems to be obsessed with lately.

Is it just me?
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@three_easy_payments


A nice thread and all too true. Get the basics right and the fun starts. To some, the fun is enjoying their music, to others its the erector set, Rube Goldberg complexity that brings them joy. I think we all agree, its all good.

My problem with some on Audiogon today is the incessant need to gather disciples who can be brow beaten into submission to follow their gospel. I quite frequently reinforce that an audio system needs to live with the occupant rather than the occupant being forced to live with the model train like clutter witnessed on occasion here. It doesn’t make me right, but our home is more comfortable.

@jetter the particular person to whom you were referring who is unwilling to support Audiogon through the sale of their gear has still yet to sell their highly tweaked item on that other site. That either speaks volumes about the person, the item or quite possibly the dangers of trying to sell DIY highly tweaked gear. Maybe even a lesson what the marketplace truly thinks of tweaks when it comes to gear.

I try to avoid those threads where unkindness rules the day but sometimes its very difficult. Always get a second or third opinion and then act on the data you most trust. For instance, if I were to ever suffer an accident and have to rely on an xray at a strip mall walk in clinic, a second opinion would likely be in order.
I have only twice made a request of the moderators, both the same.  Requests that even if I say so I think are excellent.

I asked the moderators if a separate topic category can be established entitled "Tweaks".  In this way, since they do not have their own category, the regular overflow of discourse regarding tweaks into other categories would be limited.  And for some of us with no or limited interest in fuses, stones, podiums, shumann generators, springs, cable risers, and other tweaks could easily just ignore the whole subject. 

I am not passing judgement on these at all, just they are of limited interest to me compared to other topics, but if others are interested great.

Unfortunately, my request have not been heeded.  
Great thread topic.

Audio as a hobby is simple or complex(if you want it to be). The "everything matters" mantra gets a taken quite seriously by some here.

Maybe these OP's couldn't get any traction with their threads on other forums, and Agon is the next destination?
@whart  made me reflect on a point that hits very close to home.  My entire audio journey and experience has shaped my current priorities and allows me to more deeply appreciate the gear and setups that I'm using today. 

The hallelujah moments and the sonic disasters alike.  All of the dead-end paths, Class D amps I didn't connect with, magical discoveries with triode circuits, improvements through effective room treatment, disappointments in a fuse etc....have all allowed me to more greatly enjoy and appreciate what I have today than if I had never had these experiences and simply started with what I own as of this moment.  
femoore1228 posts I couldn’t disagree more. The way I read the OPs comment he was talking to you specifically and your feedback is what was requested. I see your insight as very important to this discussion.