How Do You Learn?


After 5 years back into this HiFi pursuit I realize I may need to reassess
where I spend time finding new information.

So I ask you to please list 'just one' source you consider to be
most important in keeping you well informed of goings on in
HiFi.

I look forward to reading some carefully considered replies.

Thanks
chorus
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Such a great thread!

Thank you all who have shared so personally.

When I was in film school, we had a prof who had an amazing approach to teaching.

I forget the context this bit came out in class, but here goes.

(this relates to MC’s thoughts on listening and learning how to hear)

The discussion went something like this. Cave drawings were outlines. The idea he presented (which was not his, but from others research) argued that as primitive beings, we saw the world as outlines. These outline drawings became solids at a point. The solids eventually became detailed. Visual representation was up until this point depicting a 2 dimensional world. Then perspective (forgive the pun) came into the picture. The development of artificial “sight”, follows the exact same trajectory. Edge detection, solid/form detection, detail detection and finally perspective.

The theory goes something like this. As primitive beings, it is speculated that we could only see edges. Then someone drew solid forms, and we learned to see solids. Then details and finally perspective. The theory goes that we learned to see in a more complex way, we didn’t always have access to the full spectrum we now have. Artificial object detection has followed the same path.

So, being able to see was an evolved process. 
This is where I spin that to audio.

Here’s the difference between sight and sound. Prior to recorded/reproduced sound, our biological hearing abilities evolved to where they needed to be. Meaning, we only need to be able to hear so much to be able to survive. Recorded sound is new. Recorded images, go waaaaaay back.

So, now that we can record and reproduce sounds in a manner, and of a quality beyond what we can currently “hear”, that doesn’t mean that what we currently hear is actually the limit of what our ears are capable of identifying. As we develop new technologies, and as we continue to live with the technologies we currently have access to, our hearing, like our vision will continue to evolve. We are limited biologically by the demands placed on our hearing

 That happened in real time for me btw, I never made that correlation before.


@chorus
YOUR ears are the best on determining what YOU like. If you cannot obtain your desired component to try in your own system before you purchase, then it’s advisable to sift through reviews, taking into account their audio chains and their experience in reviewing other components, and component to component comparisons, is likely the best option to help you decide if you’d like to roll the dice and purchase like many of us here. If you get enough reviews saying similar things, then chances are that you’ll likely get the same results in your audio chain provided that your audio chain is a good match- nothing is guaranteed.

Buying used may be a good option to demo, then you can sell if unsatisfactory with hopefully minimum net cash outlay.