Some people actively participate but rarely if ever start a thread.

1) When is it appropriate to just add to an existing discussion vs. taking up bandwidth to start and entirely new conversation? I do not know. I have one idea about close-field listening. Not sure how well that will go over. Is it too controversial?

2) Relevance. For example, how many people are interested in the low end? Bargain components that stand up to the high end? There is some controversy for you.

I would like to see a whole category here for just low price bargain components. And there are entire groups of people collecting / buying vintage on eBay. How about a category for that? Maybe they do not come to the ethereal grounds of A-gon.

Personally, I am not interested in low end. But what would we call low end? Audiophile value is not found in low end, good stuff does cost.

Vintage can be interesting, though I would have nothing or next to nothing to contribute, except asking some questions perhaps.

In any case, I don't view Audiogon forum as a free consulting service, I see it as a place where audiophiles and those who might want to become audiophiles communicate more or less freely and discuss various relevant subjects from sometimes different angles.

"doors lead to other doors" . That's intriguing.

@noromance ....🤷‍♂️...it’s hard in a land of SAS....there’s all too much happening at once everywhere all the time....I could relate to the movie...:

@erik_squires ...No, abstotootely no.... (see above)....

@bigtwin My ’virtual system’ doesn’t exist yet... I could post notes ’n sketches, but then ’your computer and all it’s peripherals will ignite in 15 seconds....

Good Luck!" *click*

I could post my real one...lots less damage, except to some synapse fry... YRWV
I’m been doing some clean ’n sort & spiffing....

Get a gander at my grip on the gallery gogglers.... ;)

I enjoy being here and tolerated somewhat for my version of sortaSOTA, if it’s mine alone to enjoy. Spouse likes what it all can sound like when times available to really light it up.

Besides, it keeps me out of other troubles that don’t need to be brought along.

...besides, there’s all this great noises to hear.... ;)

Good question and Congrats on starting a new thread.  I’ve started a couple and the responses have been great.  Encourage others to do the same if they haven’t already.  Positive and interesting threads are the lifeblood of online chats IMO. 

Most of my questions can be answered via the search function.

Bless you. There's so much here already. I've argued it should be organized into some kind of archive but that won't make any money...

I've found that threads I've started that ask for something specific are pretty well responded to and answered. But ones that are more opinion based or ask for feedback on a certain component inevitably devolve into pissing contests. 

I've found that too. It only takes one monkey to start a food fight.

I have one idea about close-field listening. Not sure how well that will go over. Is it too controversial?

I'd find this interesting. The heart of the hobby for me is how people listen and set up their rooms and gear.

I would like to see a whole category here for just low price bargain components

Me too. This would give a good boost to the hobby because younger people are, by and large, the future and do not have a lot of disposable income. Your idea is what Steven Stone and others have hit upon. See:
https://pmamagazine.org/?s=steven+stone