Is it possible to really know what you're doing?

@emergingsoul Within the interest in audio equipment there are only a few things that matter.

The First is how one Weds to the Source Material, are they a Tape, Vinyl Album, CD, Streamed / File user.

The Second is whether one is Monogamous in their being Wed to a Source Material, or if one is Polygamous in how they Wed to a Source Material.

Then what matters, is whether one is content with only one version of the Source Materials embedded data being extracted and sent or if one is content only when being able to have a selection of options on how embedded data is extracted to be sent.

An embedded data once extracted is speedily converted to a electrical energy to undertake a Journey where the electrical energy will be Amplified / Gain Added.

The electrical energy is to travel through a selection of devices used to add additional Amplification / Gain. Electrical Energy is not beamed it needs a conduit to travel both within a device and external to a device.

Each Device and Umbilical used as the connection between devices are quite Capable of adding a trait of the design that will be detectable as an audible influence. 

The Experience being anticipated once the Data is extracted is End Sound, usually in the form of Music.

Downstream of the Data extraction any device used to manage the electrical energy / sent signal has the capacity to influence the End Sound to be produced.

The Speaker which is the only device in use downstream of the embedded data being extracted and sent, is the only device in the set up able to produce sound.

Speakers have a vast range of discernible differences in how a End Sound is produced and being perceived as a Sound. 

Why would a person be Monogamous in relation to devices and ancillaries used to create a Audio System. 

Why would a person be Polygamous in relation to devices and ancillaries used to create a Audio System.

For myself locking myself into a marriage of one choice of devices makes the audio experience bland, the option to intervene and produce End Sound that stands out for its qualities, but delivers an injection of a differing to the influence on the End Sound, is where I am most content as an enthusiast of creating Audio Systems. 

In Audio being Faithful to a intent for a systems creation or to a Philosophy of how a system should be produced will supply a very satisfying musical encounter.

It also limits exposing oneself to experiences and broadening the learning through extending the musical encounters that can be had, which is a commodity most with an interest in audio equipment seeks out.

You don't have to know anything, you can just pay somebody who does know.  There was a time when that was the role of the audio dealer.  Now people are into the "journey" and want to make their own choices.  Some people quickly figure stuff out and others wander thru the desert.  At some point it really doesn't matter because we're not designing commercial aircraft where mistakes can cost lives.

Back in the day, I’d go to a HiFi store and listen to what was new nd exciting.  Today most of those stores are closed.  It really makes it hard to roll equipment in my system.  Having said that, I’m really happy with my current system.  I will update my DAC eventually, but I’m in no real hurry. I like the sound of ladder DAC’s, so I’ll probably stick with one of them, but.

@onhwy61  stated " You don't have to know anything, you can just pay somebody who does know.  There was a time when that was the role of the audio dealer. "

I have to agree with this, when I first needed to grasp what was beyond where I was with an Audio System after a period of time having a dedicated audio set up.

I was very very very fortunate to have met a individual involved the HiFi Confidential near Victoria Train Station in London.

The member of the Team in HiFi Confidential who's name was Luigi, knew I was tight for cash, with a young family and not too well paying job.

Luigi also knew my passion to experience and learn audio system related matters.

Over the course of 18 months or more after my initial visit, I was invited to the premises on quite a few occasions to experience new assemblies of Analogue Sourced Set Ups in the dedicated listening room.

I would be given a description of the equipment and left to do my thing, only occasionally checked in on, to experience my brought along LP's for an hour or more.

This was gifted with no obligation, I may have not remunerated anybody from HiFi Confidential for their support or sale items.

I got sound I was to become familiar with and use it as a measure at other demo's and I am still the same enthusiast today, making audio encounters available to others without no concerns for receiving anything. 

Others where audio is the shared interest are certainly being treated the same way that I have indelible memories of being treated.       

I can relate to or understand every experience and/or perspective presented thus far in this thread. Is it difficult, is it easy? Its all of the above, you just have to experience it for yourself, I think this 'hobby' is more a journey than some set path to some precise destination. And so many paths to follow on this journey, its all pretty mind boggling. On the other hand one could turn off the curiosity cap.