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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?
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femoore12's avatar
femoore12
683 posts
 
@three_easy_payments
 And now I’d like to hear how people feel those areas (among ALL others) fit into an audiophile’s overall prioritization.
I am happy to share my view as someone who just acquired decent components for the first time.

I don't see the items identified as tweaks as a priority at all. I find the ideas interesting (and entertaining), but outside of buying better cables (earlier post) I won't pursue the rest. For me these other items listed (isolation (except TTs), fuses, cable goop, stones, etc.) seem unnecessary. Interesting, but unnecessary. 

To me the main components (speakers, source, preamp/amp, cables/interconnects) are the priority. Everything else seems a pursuit in diminishing returns. Maybe if I thought my system components were perfect (to me an unrealistic and unattainable goal) then I might chase some tweaks. However, I prefer discovering and buying new music instead of researching the latest quantum discovery. 

I am in this for the music, not the gear. 
 
Cheers!

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Cables, tweaks, goop, fuses, tar paper, water beds, trampolines, self sealing stem bolts (no idea what they are, I heard it on ST DS9) minor stuff, 5-10%.
Vibration control, 5-10%.
Gear 30-35% maybe a little higher 40%
Electrical 5-10%.
Room and room acoustics, 40-50%

Real world cost and contribution to actual complete sound systems.

Like Master M, I don’t think Vibration / harmonic, Electrical or room acoustics, as tweaks.
You’re better off in the back yard with your gear backed up to a wall than in an untreated room..
There are fundamentals to make a system, and it has nothing to do with tweaks.

It seems like it cost me a 100% on every part I learned, especially gear.

The ROOM.... THE ROOM!!!!! I’ve seen a few weird ones too.. BUT attention to the room, wonderful sound...Down to the wispy plants, here and there. I like really good horns too, So many toys so little time. :-)

Tweaks.. 5-10% including cables..
rufusluna
23 posts
 
By far the place to make the most money is in tweaks and cables because they are very simple and the unstated assumption by the purchaser that more expensive is by definition better drives up the price of these items far more than a typical amp or pre amp. Any idiot can start a cable business. 
jpwarren58
680 posts
 
Now that we have defined the meaning of tweak, can we now address the difference between stones, pebbles, and rocks?
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments OP
2,097 posts
 
@oldhvymec

Vibration control, 5-10%.
Gear 30-35% maybe a little higher 40%
Electrical 5-10%.
Room and room acoustics, 40-50%

Tweaks.. 5-10% including cables..

This has been my experience as well.

@femoore  +1

To me the main components (speakers, source, preamp/amp, cables/interconnects) are the priority.
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