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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?
128x128three_easy_payments
jetter
3,052 posts
 
OK, here’s playing the devil’s advocate.  Sometimes the most obvious answers that are right in front of you do not come to light.

I do not consider interconnects, or speaker and power cables tweaks.

First, lets be real, many of the lengths that some of you go to to tweak your systems would be considered fairly symptomatic of a neurotic condition by non audiophiles.  I think you will find it is also considered the same by a lot of audiophiles.

A possible explanation for the tweak o maniac is that they have blown so much money and ended up with a such a lousy sounding system that they will try anything, no matter how weird, to make it sound better and not have to admit they really blew it.

This is only relevant if you have never had your system sound so good that you could just sit back and enjoy it.

Remember I am just playing the devil's advocate.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
It seems to me that there are basically two types of tweak: the substitute tweak and the add-on tweak.

Substitute category: you're replacing something that your system needs in order for it to work with a something else that performs the same basic function, though supposedly better: fuses, power cords, capacitors, whatever.

Add-on category: without these, your system will continue to produce sound: dynamat, footers, microdots on the walls, whatever.


three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments OP
2,097 posts
 
@jetter

I do not consider interconnects, or speaker and power cables tweaks.

I’d agree but would you claim to be deriving more than 50% of your system’s listening pleasure from your cabling alone? I ask this as I’m genuinely curious because I’ve read the claim being made and it simply doesn’t cinch up with my own personal experiences or even guidance you read in say Harley’s book. I wouldn’t assign more than 10% or so to cables which means I acknowledge it can certainly make a difference and is worth addressing but it’s not close to being one of my highest priorities.

So the thread was created to foster a discussion of what are your highest priorities and what role (and relative importance) do areas like cables, footers, and fuses have in your system? I just know my experience and I’d like to hear others. Our collective accounts could be really helpful to others.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,022 posts
 
substitute = gear changer = great buying opportunity 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
So the thread was created to foster a discussion of what are your highest priorities and what role (and relative importance) do areas like cables, footers, and fuses have in your system?

Coulda fooled me. The actual OP:
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...

Whatever.

I just know my experience and I’d like to hear others. Our collective accounts could be really helpful to others.

They are. Tons of people talking about how great their stuff sounds on Nobsound springs, or on Pods, or Podiums. QSA fuses, Stones, all kinds of things. You should try reading them.

Oh, but wait- aren’t those are the ones you started out complaining about, the ones that "overwhelm" the site?

Whatever.
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