Upon entering the realm of so called high end audio
.. be afraid. Be very afraid
. And bring money.
1 Check your ego at the door and youll write less checks.
2 Contempt prior to investigation is the only true bar to the enhancement of the auditory experience and your own genuine satisfaction.
3 Everything matters .. E V E R Y T H I N G!
4 Have an auditory exam every now and then.
5 Different is easier to come by than better.
6 Be honest . And with yourself most of all.
7 If you wish to explore tube based audio . Find a good tube vendor.
8 Find a good local repair tech.
9 The statements surrounding audible improvements derived from the use of aftermarket cabling, power conditioning, and isolation, are not urban legends.
10 buying without trying first can and does work .. in the end.
11 Never allow yourself to be intimidated by a dealership. If theyre not about satisfying your wants? Just say good bye and leave. There are far too many other places that do want your business.
12 Expensive doesnt always equate to better. It does always equate to expensive.
13 Attaining a synergistic system takes more than just plugging in and out different components. Eg., cabling, PLC, and isolation, above.
14 if youre about to remodel, its probably a good idea to hold off on buying them purple Zebrawood speakers until after the project is completed.
15 Change tubes before the listening event . Not during . Unless you have an Ov-glove handy, or youre The Human Torch.
16 IF after several months of speaker placement adjustments have been made without obtaining complete satisfaction .. move the chair.
16a If moving the chair around yields similar results, buy headphones.
17 Dont swap in & out ICs while the gear is turned on.
18 Pay by credit card.
19 Ship expensive; out of production; and/or matched items, banded to pallets; air mail; or both.
20 Ask questions. There are no bad questions, but there are bad choices made by their lack.
21 If you cant hear or see the difference, dont pay the difference.
22 The room is important, as are its treatments. Eg., see EVERYTHING above.
23 When constructing an up stairs system, buy lightweight stuff.
24 During cable auditions, before a final decision is made, plug back in the current wires and listen to them one more time.
25 Involve the whole family in the audio or video hobby! Even if its against their will. Other types of hobbies will lend themselves to this effort. Like for instance,hunting.
26 If an involuntary family effort is forced, along with a local tech, and good tube vendor, keep an attorney on retainer.
26 This is the most important aspect of the high end audio mystique, or psychosis. If youre experiencing the grass is greener on the other side syndrome more often than not, with regard to chasing gear for the perfect fit . Its time to water your own lawn.
Remember perfection is an illusion. Outstanding, however, can be acquired with lots more ease, and with a great variety of paths.
1 Check your ego at the door and youll write less checks.
2 Contempt prior to investigation is the only true bar to the enhancement of the auditory experience and your own genuine satisfaction.
3 Everything matters .. E V E R Y T H I N G!
4 Have an auditory exam every now and then.
5 Different is easier to come by than better.
6 Be honest . And with yourself most of all.
7 If you wish to explore tube based audio . Find a good tube vendor.
8 Find a good local repair tech.
9 The statements surrounding audible improvements derived from the use of aftermarket cabling, power conditioning, and isolation, are not urban legends.
10 buying without trying first can and does work .. in the end.
11 Never allow yourself to be intimidated by a dealership. If theyre not about satisfying your wants? Just say good bye and leave. There are far too many other places that do want your business.
12 Expensive doesnt always equate to better. It does always equate to expensive.
13 Attaining a synergistic system takes more than just plugging in and out different components. Eg., cabling, PLC, and isolation, above.
14 if youre about to remodel, its probably a good idea to hold off on buying them purple Zebrawood speakers until after the project is completed.
15 Change tubes before the listening event . Not during . Unless you have an Ov-glove handy, or youre The Human Torch.
16 IF after several months of speaker placement adjustments have been made without obtaining complete satisfaction .. move the chair.
16a If moving the chair around yields similar results, buy headphones.
17 Dont swap in & out ICs while the gear is turned on.
18 Pay by credit card.
19 Ship expensive; out of production; and/or matched items, banded to pallets; air mail; or both.
20 Ask questions. There are no bad questions, but there are bad choices made by their lack.
21 If you cant hear or see the difference, dont pay the difference.
22 The room is important, as are its treatments. Eg., see EVERYTHING above.
23 When constructing an up stairs system, buy lightweight stuff.
24 During cable auditions, before a final decision is made, plug back in the current wires and listen to them one more time.
25 Involve the whole family in the audio or video hobby! Even if its against their will. Other types of hobbies will lend themselves to this effort. Like for instance,hunting.
26 If an involuntary family effort is forced, along with a local tech, and good tube vendor, keep an attorney on retainer.
26 This is the most important aspect of the high end audio mystique, or psychosis. If youre experiencing the grass is greener on the other side syndrome more often than not, with regard to chasing gear for the perfect fit . Its time to water your own lawn.
Remember perfection is an illusion. Outstanding, however, can be acquired with lots more ease, and with a great variety of paths.