Question: What are some of your best pieces of advise to someone new to the hobby?

The questions worth asking of your friend is how old is he? Does he already have a collection of CD-Vinyl Albums? Which is the main Source the system intending to have?

Once this is on the table, the individual can be directed to receiving demo's of differing systems with such a source. This will help them home in on a sonic that has attraction to them, as well understand the costs required and aesthetic that can be had. This is not too bad a place to leave the starter blocks from.

Whew enough to write a book here!

Here’s some more:

1. Keep an open mind.

2. Music is a contextual experience, listen in as many different environments as you can 

3. Music is an emotional experience, let your ears and heart be connected without losing your head

4. Find what you like and do more of it; the field is changing so there are always more options

5. Buying used is an upgrade option, with experience.

6. Find trustworthy sources of information and be careful of scams in this field.

Both @johnread57 ​​​​@mrdecibel are spot on.

Speakers first, and then have him listen to the music he likes and enjoys already.

I'll explain why: First, speakers make more of a difference to newbie's then electronics. Second, a good friend of mine (whom I wanted to keep as a good friend), wanted to buy new speakers and said he found these amazing ones (brand not important for the story) and wanted me to listen to them.

I agreed they sounded amazing, but they were being demo'd using only classical music, which he never listened too. As soon as we put on his favorite music, they did not sound as good, a bit bland and the soundstage collapsed. He ended up with a different pair that brought life to the the music he listen to. He's still happy with them 6 years later. It also helped him pick up better electronics later.

Hope this helps. 

You don't need to be an expert in acoustics to get good sound from reasonable components...read some audio magazines...and remember there's great sounding stuff out there these days that is not expensive and you should trust your ears.

*G* Everyone’s dishing good food for thought tonight....the only caveat I can offer is that it’s highly unlikely that his first foray into the fidelity field will find the flawless answer on his shelves....cabinet....’some means of suspension’...

But to quote S. Smiley.... "But....it’s OK."

One has to have the ’bad experience’ to appreciate the good and the really superlative ones.

Don’t believe all that you hear ’once’ somewhere; like science, it needs to be repeatable...by you, in your space. Be willing to accept the difference(s)....much like a relationship....;) (At least, divorce on this plane will be hopefully cheaper...)

Don’t let Anyone tell you your taste in music is...’questionable’....

I leave this behind as an example... "...is what I do...."

Have fun, make a memory or so....