You tube hifi influencers. Love them or hate them?

I beg to differ from your dismissing opinion...😊

Your analysis is very good and i concur...

I stick with reviewers/influencers with some (or a lot) of technical knowledge.

If I come away from a review having learned something general about the technologies involved, I subscribe to the channel.

Tarun, A British Audiophile, is usually instructive.

I used to like Gutenberg, but now I’m more skeptical. He’s mastered a kind of hip, easygoing, Brooklyn-esque patter -- a master showman, who’s been plumping products for a long time. I have no doubts he’s genuinely smart and an audiophile, but he pushes out so much content that his "excitement routine" ("Today’s show is really special!") seems pretty hackneyed. And, TBH, a bit sad. A guy that smart could be spending his time in other ways. Still, who am I to judge?

Thomas Skhong posting his system and MikeLavigne system. I am impress how he did it. I got good idea how both their system sound. Thomas gave a good description as well. Of course I would prefer to listen in person . YouTubers Ok but I will still listen and audition in person if I can.

I take any review with a grain of salt.  Some reviews are dead on,  I didn't buy my DAC based on reviews but it was nice to see it get some praise by several reviewers 

Hopefully if something is a real turd you'll read about it but as many have said You Tube is all about clicks and hits.    

I give more credibility to forum posts when it comes to perceived quality and reliability.... unfortunately sound quality is a matter of personal taste so I let my ears have the final say.

Steve Guttenberg's only flaw is that he is super passionate about, and loves all things audio.   I was in the biz at a trade show years back and afterwards ended up having dinner with Steve and Mike Fremer among others.  Steve was a super nice guy and it was obvious he's a sucker for anything that makes music.  

Steve Huff.   He falls in love with stuff too...   so do I, it happens 

To be an influencer means you care about influencing. Not my style, so I pass.

EZ. Just dont turn on Youtube.  Listen to music.; it sounds better.  I do read specific reviews, but always with a shaker of salt.