top ten things you learned about HiFi on Agon


Here's my list in some semblance of order:

1. how to more critically listen to music and determine what my system is doing right and what areas could stand some improvement
2. room shape and speaker position matter a lot
3. about other websites where I can get more detailed information on a particular subject
4. importance of the source
5. importance of good power cables
6. importance of a solid foundation for your equipment
7. importance of tonearm and cartridge matching and setup
8. about silver fuses
9. concepts related to amp and speaker matching
10. the concept of overall system balance and working towards a particular system sound.

I have really learned quite a bit by coming on this site. I generally used to think I knew my way around HiFi gear, having built speakers and owned various systems over the years, some that worked "pretty good" (put together by budget, market research, ear and accident), and some... well, not-so-much. I have a much better idea of where my understanding is now (thus the screen name), and feel like I am only scratching the surface.

With that said, every time I listen to my system these days I am aware of how much better it sounds compared to only a few years ago - due in large part to advice based on your writings and rantings on here. And this accomplished by adding many tweaks, a few key accessories and without adding or swapping very many major parts over that time span (except three turntables and four cartridges [but no microphone!]). Thanks Agoners for all the great information!!!
Ag insider logo xs@2xknownothing
1. Great guys here (see Lugnut thread)
2. Cool ladies in audio too!
3. Implementation is important
4. Synergy is everything!
5. Cables really matter
6. All amps are not the same
7. Nelson Pass is cooler than Obama can hope to be
8. You really can have virtual friends
9. It's okay if TVAD responds to everything- he knows his shit
10. It's the music that matters most of all!!
I agree with Eldartford. No matter how much (serious) money I have spent on sources, speakers, etc. etc. I have not come close to the sound of live music in my room. Did I have some great sounding systems—YES. Did it sound like live music—NO!

Please enjoy what you have and save yourself a lot of money. The music is more important then what it is played through any ways!