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
Now that we have defined the meaning of tweak, can we now address the difference between stones, pebbles, and rocks?
@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.
@jpwarren  

can we now address the difference between stones, pebbles, and rocks?

And let's not forget about crystals and nano particles.  
rufusluna
By far the place to make the most money is in tweaks and cables  ... Any idiot can start a cable business.
So when will you be starting your cable biz?
@cleeds +1

I too believe cables make a difference - and you need to be a "non-idiot" to produce a good one.  I just don't think they are contributing to more than 5-10% of my system's overall performance - and appreciate other's thoughts on the relative impact that cables and other items make on their rigs.