Hey, we don't get no respect

Tarsando- Excellent observation.

Fatparrot,
I've always known you as a resonable man and to emphisize my point I'd ask why would you care?
We're in the world that we have to follow the rules of a perfect live music despite the numbers marketed...
Follow?

the new issue of stereophile reads like a harvard lampoon. its no wonder most music lovers steer clear of high end audio.

Quite the contrary, I think this just shows what a special breed we are!

WE know how laughable it is to speak of Bose as Hi-Fi, the "masses" have no idea!

Just think how many people out there that don't know sh*%# from shinola about Hi-Fi have no idea what powerful AND defined bass response is.

I realize this is somewhat of an overstatement; however, I doubt anyone who doesn't understand Einstein's or Hawkins' work could be accused of "disrespecting" physics!

This hobby doesn’t get much respect because of the willingness to accept snake oil and defend it vehemently, notwithstanding empirical evidence to the contrary. So much laughable stuff being promoted to decent but gullible, insecure people with more time and money than sense.

$4,500 power cords that “soundstage like crazy”, absurd arguments attempting to discredit Double Blind testing, undefendable manufacturers claims; modifying multi-thousand pieces of equipment to immediately reduce its value; modifying (and of course improving) ‘statement’ pieces without any of the facilities or measuring instrument available to the manufacturer; magic stones, digital clocks (see DBT again) – yup, hard to understand why there’s a lack of respect for this hobby.

As Tarsando rightly indicates, there is not necessarily any relation between equipment levels and musical appreciation. You want musical accuracy? – buy a $150 acoustic guitar, and a few $50 lessons and be way ahead of the silliness that pervades this hobby. And by the way, acquire some respect from your associates too.