@amir_asr Well spoken amir. Although, banning someone for stating an opinion is quite harsh, could such in future maybe be solved via discussion or a PM?
OK ... so ... someone claims he/she has a nicer ’soundstage’ after installing an expensive ethernet cable, while if we measure this cable there’s no difference at all in the transfer of the bits and bytes. Or someone else claims more bass extension after upgrading to an expensive power cord ... while it’s inexplicable? These people enjoy their purchase, while others may say they are scammed. How can we live peacefully together?
Thanks. No one gets banned for expressing an opinion. They get banned when they repeatedly try to convince others that they are wrong with no evidence to back it. Member @kokakolia had 117 posts for example before being banned. Member @kota1 had 22 posts in a short span of time with amazing claims of a 7 year old cable is out of date, etc.
Plenty of folks express opinions on ASR with no consequence. As I have said, our aim in ASR is to be able to back what we say. Standard claims of "my ears tell otherwise" repeated over and over again, with whole bunch of talking points thrown in there comes across as "trolling" and eventually we get enough reports to ban the member. Many such members also get personal and upset which accelerates their membership demise.
On PM, we have do that as well when a member brings value to the forum. if you all you have done is join and keep complaining, then you are eventually shown the door per above.
Just saying the tired expression of better soundstage, blacker background, faster bass, etc. doesn't add value and is not evidence of anything. Every audiophile tweak product comes with the same adjectives. Please don't come to ASR and try to convince people the objective data, research and engineering is wrong because you heard or read about such things on the product. We know. We have heard you and others say it. Post that here. Not at ASR.
Finally, purchasing expensive stuff is just fine. I routinely recommend super expensive products that perform well. Many put value on how things look, feel, support, country of origin, etc. What is much less tolerated is when the company makes outlandish claims of fidelity, and measurements, listening tests, etc. show that it is not true. Then, if you are an expensive product, you get an earful.
As an example of expensive product that is recommended is this Mola Mola DAC and streamer at $11,500: