@femoore12 - you posted:
"There are a lot of us here that are just getting started. We don’t have this common knowledge. That is why we come here. It’s tough to know the truth when the parents are fighting."
Ask questions. There are plenty of people here with experience and knowledge. The truth is that everyone is biased in some way, or has preferences or limits to their knowledge. Plus seat time. It makes a lot of sense when you hear the differences, but there are so many variables-- think about the infinite combination of systems and room acoustics-- that there is no "one way." Absorb as much as you can. Read. And if possible --harder to do in the era of Covid-- try and hang out with other audiophiles. I was a member of a club in NYC that was great fun. I can’t say I learned much at club meetings- it was more social than anything, but got to know a lot of people. Over the long haul, you figure out what you need to know. Nobody knows everything and I would be suspicious of anyone who proclaims that they do. There are no gurus in this field, but some very knowledgeable people whose knowledge isn’t exactly linear-- they have deep knowledge of some things and less knowledge of others. So, in some ways it is incumbent on you to learn, but the resources are there. (And ignore ad hype and treat reviews with a grain of salt- not because they are deliberately lying, but because they are part of the eco-system of audio sales). User experience conveyed on a board can be valuable, if you get enough different data points, but even then, you will see a divergence of opinion. Partly due to the variables and partly due to individual preference (aka "bias").
It can be a fun hobby and some people make a living at it. I support the people I believe in with my wallet. And, as you gain more experience and have the wherewithal to get to something that more closely approximates real music, those relationships can be invaluable.
