Why do so many members seem afraid of making an audio decision?

Very much associated with inability to hear vast majority of components one may be contemplating purchasing. And then, even if you can, really need an audition to hear in your system, and then that audition may need to be longer term to fully discern sound qualities.

Add to that so many choices today.

And then, as our systems evolve and become more transparent, resolving we can hear minutiae formerly unheard, makes for more exacting process to choose the component that has perfect synergy with rest of system.

Along with above evolution comes evolving cost factors, price to play continues to rise, more money on table may create more anxiety.

No doubt competitiveness comes into play for some, in order to be considered expert one has to have best. Humans do love their hierarchies, and most like to be at top.

I'm sure others will have much to say on the whole subject of insecurities in this so called hobby.

It is human nature to need validation, when making a purchasing decision and then once the purchase is made.

Sale's Psychology 101. 

Many of us have learned over decades.

Learning to listen is many many layered, the information at every level is contradictory, the investments are substantial, overall sound quality depends on the whole system, many step are counter intuitive, the benefits are frequently not fully realized until hundreds of hours of use, and many folks are not good with complex decision making to start with, at least until they have heard concrete improvements in sound quality as a result of their choices.

It goes on. Decision making in highly uncertain environments takes skill (function of prefrontal cortex) and years of experience really help.

Funny:

This morning I balked @ buying the spring loaded "on sale" footers ($13.45/set of 4/free delivery) noted in a new/recent thread, but this afternoon I purchased my wife a $900 Elsa Peretti necklace without a flinch.

Good question.

DeKay

Iam also close to Chicago area, true OP we are bless to have many audio store here, Music Direct is also here.In my situation it took many years to learn this hobby,Many valid reasons why many audiophile don’t want to make decisions . In my case many yrs ago, I did not have funds , plus I need more experience before I can make those expensive decisions?Once I felt I have accumulated enough experience that’s when I started making big decisions in this hobby.Good thing about this hobby you can buy used  and resell if you don’t like it.