Lessons learned...

steveinaz

While I'm on a roll, being the jackass of the week, I felt the need to pass a few things on that I've learned:

1. "bits is bits" = HORSE ****. (or, those who don't know, don't know that they don't know)
2. Transports can sound different
3. Digital cables can sound different
4. Toslink is NOT a "2nd class" connection
5. Musical "memory" comes in pretty damn handy sometimes
6. Listen for weeks before making decisions and trust your ears
7. An external DAC is not an end-all, do-all component
8. "Convenience" IS the enemy (LOL)
9. Don't mess with success (or, if it ain't broke, don't fix it)
10. Choose your words tastefully, next week you may be eating them (or, crow is best eaten while still warm)

audiobliss

Haha, that's a good list. I especially like the last one. And, of course, you never have a problem with it.

markmarc

A few to add:
9. A bad day playing with audio is better than a good day working
10. Always troubleshoot starting with the simplest solution first
11. Never allow those who are inconsequencial to rent space in your brain
12. Make time to unplug from our wired world every day

kingsqueak

Hey you forgot to add

"Pro Audio" power cords are worth the money

And a favorite from an 'audiophile' rag

Your **** brand component will sound worlds better suspended in a basket when compared to it sitting on a shelf.

Early B.

Steve -- as George on Seinfeld would say, "No one is a bigger idiot than me." Here's a few of mine:

1. Psychoacoustics is your constant companion.
2. Anyone who says anything about audio is absolutely right and incredibly wrong.
3. Continually trading out components is not fun -- it's a waste of time and money.
4. Price is meaningless in audio.
5. You can teach your ears to listen better, but it's gonna cost ya.
6. Don't take this hobby too seriously. A boombox and your favorite music will get your toes to tappin' just the same as a $10,000 2-channel reference rig.
7. The best music is not what you play through your system -- it's when you're all alone playing your air guitar and mimicking your favorite singer.
8. Ever notice that everyone says they have great gear? It's that's true, then where's the awful stuff?
9. Buy low, sell high, upgrade. Use other people's money.
10. Finally, get out while you still can.

Skynut

markmarc wrote:

11. Never allow those who are inconsequencial to rent space in your brain

I love this.

markmarc

Thanks Sky, and a couple of more:
13. Young teenagers are nothing more than Rebels without a clue
14. To all teenagers, "No." is a complete sentence, but "Whatever" is NOT
15. Good speakers can make mediocre equipment sound pretty decent
16. Politicians are like diapers, they both need to be changed often!

I-SIG

markmarc wrote:

Thanks Sky, and a couple of more:
13. Young teenagers are nothing more than Rebels without a clue
14. To all teenagers, "No." is a complete sentence, but "Whatever" is NOT
15. Good speakers can make mediocre equipment sound pretty decent
16. Politicians are like diapers, they both need to be changed often!

Damn! You must've had RUFF stereo experience to add these to the list! Did the wife make you buy Blose? :eek:

Wes

markmarc

ha ha, thankfully no on Blose. But I did have to sell the damn things, actually NOT sell them more like.

steveinaz

Blose...would that be like Microshaft Winblose?

AsSiMiLaTeD

I think Russ posted a similar thread a while back, would be neat to locate that and bring that information over to this thread as well, as there was some really good stuff there also...

AsSiMiLaTeD

Here, found it:

RuSsMaN wrote:

A couple generic words of wisdom, if you should care to read them:

Simple is better. Typically, the less lights, buzzers, bells and whistles the gear has, the better it will sound.

Don't stress over specifications with amps. 60 watts, with a couple db of headroom will drive most anything. Start from there, and work up as you see fit.

Cables can make a difference, buy good ones.

At least once, try your speakers toed in, firing RIGHT at you.

Buy used. It may take a little patience to find the RIGHT peice, but it can really pay off - by either getting what you wanted cheaper - or getting an upgraded peice for the same scratch.

A tube preamp, and solid state amp offer the 'best of both worlds' in the tube/ss debate on reliability and tone.

Plan to get (back) into vinyl. With a just a little effort, you might have a LOT of fun.

Take note of the advice and or deals you've gotten, and pay it forward to another member in need. Ask nothing in return, other than for them to do the same when they have the means.
Russ

steveinaz

Good stuff.

markmarc

Blose and Winbloze, been abused by both.

LuSh

Seems like it was years ago when I use to argue with people on this forum about the importance of the source. It was hard to get people to think about changing or adding a DAC to their systems and now we've all grown's up and are tinkering with transports and digital interconnects, oh my!

I predict in 3month's people will be toying with Power Cords and isolation. I finally got ahold of a PC for my amp. A Blue Circle power cord with a Krell amp? Who would have thunk it, stay tuned for a review when I get it.

F1nut

LuSh wrote:

Seems like it was years ago when I use to argue with people on this forum about the importance of the source.

It's still a hard sell to some.

If you wouldn't mind, chime in on this one. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39120

Note the source.

BTW, still haven't picked up those IC's we talked about..... have other pressing things right now.