Ridiculous assertions that someone is being ripped off or conned

"I bought an X and it sounds really good"

This is a common assertion. It’s an opinion, which is perfectly fine.

The result will likely be questions.

On one end of the spectrum, if X = some well known amplifier, there are many facts out there in many places probably over a period of time that support the claim.

On the other end of the spectrum, if its a relatively unknown product with few or no facts out there to support the claim, be prepared for all kind of responses, including some very strong challenges. If you are not prepared to offer up some facts to support the case and respond to the challenge, best to just keep quiet. You have nothing more you can offer at that point. Trying to censure or silence the challenger will likely accomplish nothing for anybody. If they are being insulting or breaking forum rules, that’s a foul and its fair game to flag the response as such.

It’s just how things work.
 

At this point, I think we all know who the flat-earthers are on here....

Shouldn't give them the right to be rude, but apparently this forum doesn't really care.

There is a different version: the "I could get the parts and do it myself for 1/10th the (retail) cost" crowd -- people who have very little grasp of amortizing fixed and development costs and covering current costs of running a business. But no, it's all a "rip off". Don't like the price? You don't have to buy. But don't denigrate someone who thinks that the product is worth it to them.

Great thread!

I, like the OP. has been annoyed by these truths too much repeated that customers are most of the times deceived by their hopes,marketing ploys, and biases and placebos...It is true to say that but audio is a learning road...And most products are good to try if we want to travel the road...No denigrating is needed...

For sure i experienced this truth with ALL products i bought to upgrade my system to some degree especially in the beginning when I was unsatified ...No upgrades in spite of their improvement were working enough though...

The reason is simple:

i was not mature enough in audio to know how to work on the essentials key factors in audio: embedding controls and especially acoustic...

Acoustic experiments are listenings experiments...They dont always lie, and even when they lied you will be able to discern and master the truth which lay behind or in front of the acoustic "lie" anyway ...

We can control acoustic almost "at will" mechanically with Helmhotz method and with passive treatment... Mastering "illusions" from our brain is part of the acoustic experience not his foe....

I dont like to be accused of being conned by myself or conning others using cheap "herkimer diamonds" or S.G. or ionizers for example with my main mechanical  acoustical device....

Most people think audio is a string of purchases...

I think audio is a string of experiments...Be them a new purchase or not....

Even when presented with incontrovertible evidence many people cannot admit they have been scammed.  Evidence actually makes the scammed hold on tighter to their delusions.  Facts cannot compete with truths.  Just because you're happy doesn't mean everybody else has to agree with you.  Think about the allegory -- are you in the cave or in the light?