Does someone’s opinion affect your opinion?

Dear @deadhead1000  : ""  I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but it does and it has impacted my enjoyment. """

More than affect your or my opinion always is learning time and we can take advantage of that kind of opinion and how can we take advantage?: asking that gentleman if that " piercing " appeared in all LP tracks and in all kind of MUSIC both of you were listening it. I think you still can ask about.

In the other side and opinion of my room/system reproduction makes me , at least, to make a check up at each single link i the room/system chain and spcially to the cartridge/tonearm/TT set up and even if is ok I will mount again the cartridge to do a " freshly " set up and when I unmount the cartridge I will try to see it stylus tip/cantilever through a microscope.

Now and it does not matters the cartridge " pedigree " all new cartridges needs play hours to settle down and after those play hours we should to make a new check up tonearm/cartridge set up. Normally after settle down we have to " play " with minimal changes on VTF and/or VTA/AZ.

Always we learn a lot from " bad " criticas/opinions that the other way around opinions. A good audio friend is the one that tell you what he is listening no matter what.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

@deadhead1000 

I can relate to your story. I’m guessing most people value other’s opinions and are subject to be swayed to a degree. The people we surround ourselves with and listen to is key, at least in my mind. But in the end, I make the call and live with the consequences!

After church tomorrow I’m going to see if I can catch a smallie or two! Have a great weekend!

I went to my doctor.  He said I needed an operation.

I said, "Doc, I'd like another opinion."

He said, "OK, you're ugly."

.... Rodney Dangerfield.

I can be suggestable. Sometimes I'm affected by other's opinions, sometimes not so much. I know I really like something when I continue to just love it even while the person next to me is saying it sounds pretty bad. 

Hello deadhead1000.  Just realize that at least half the people you talk to have very little experience and don't know what they are talking about. I started building speakers at age 10. I have over 70 years experience. I sold stereo gear for a living to 19+ years. I have paid attention to preserving my senses. I have the ears of a much younger man (and he upset about it!). I do read  reviews (look for a full page ad nearby - draw the obvious conclusion). Realize that "If you are in the market for a speaker at this price point be sure to give it listen," means it's a dud. If the reviewer bought the evaluation sample, pay attention. Many salsemen work on commision. Steve Guttenburg, I consider a reliable source. Any magazine is in business to sell magazines. And . . . no two people ear the same thing. Our ear shapes are unique, not to mention our brains. And . . . experts insist 20% of all people have some form of mental illness, Like what you like. Person X doesn't like your cartridge, he probably doesn't like your wife either. Would you swap wives with him?