How do you judge audio components and speakers?

Ghdprentice, although your weight comment is a bit tongue in cheek, there probably is a direct correlation between component quality and weight. Well built products don’t skimp on materials that make them solid and well constructed, so weigh more. No rocket science there.

My current components all ended up weighing a ton and you can be sure aren’t easily carried up a flight of stairs. Luxman, VPI, Magico, and even Marantz components all can put you in traction if you’re not careful. And I’d wager those components will outlast their lower weight class competitors by a country mile.

My newly purchased tonearm is coincidentally a VPI Fatboy, which somehow should fit your criteria too. I probably shouldn’t say this except that it strikes me as funny, but the same principle holds for many great old time opera stars as well.

Mike

@pingstonsmile ,

Classic bully maneuvers.

Insult someone then state you're not insulting them.

Attack someone then claim you're being attacked.

Get branded a bully, insist you're not, then proceed to call those who call you a bully physically inferior losers because you used to 'outlass' them in gym when in high school, which was apparently the high point of his life. Not sure if he meant outclass, or outlast. Either way, just sad.

The "fans" were devices i used years ago, and the gasoline cans as Helmholtz primitive first experiments... Yes i experimented with them.... It was the begininng ...

These virtual page is not my actual room...

i dont use them anymore... I use tubes , plumbers  one  or other kind of time from few inches size to 8 feet high with different volumes and use straws of different lenght and perimeter as neck and mouth...

@mahgister

Do you run the fans on low, medium, or high -- what effect does each setting have on the sound?  Have you experimented with filling the gas can with different levels of fluid?  I would think a metal can vs plastic can would make a big difference in sound wave control -- did you try each and if so what were the findings?

The collective ID of most audiophiles is built from an OCD type hyper fixation combined with a need to gain control over some aspect of their lives, in this case, their audio system.  It can be a release, a frustration and a friend.  Knowledge is not required, only money and time.