asked above >>what is it about this hobby that makes a lot of us this way?
I don't think it is Audio so much as human nature or something deeper. My camera was recently stolen and I have been looking to replace it. I have spent some hours researching options (digital or film ect...) and time on photo forums. Folks there remind me of folks here. Looking for perfect equipment and talking for hour about technical minutia when the owner's skill and eye (practice) is likely lots more important.
I golfed some time ago and golfers who can't swing a lick do the same thing with graphite/titanium clubs.
I still cycle a lot and guys who just do not put the miles in talk on for hours and worry about technical aspects of a bike frame that will never make a difference to their level of riding and spend absolutley stupid amounts of $$ for exotic frames which are nothing but things to show off to their friends for the most part. Often times the frames they buy are poorly suited for their skills (the frames are made for world class riders) and it works against them!
It is not just audio.
Same with the retail hype. It has been with us forever...I think you can expect salesman are always going push in that direction. I was reading a book on early Christianity last night and the author is setting up the context and the agrarian nature of the society. He quotes Cicero on Retail as follows:
"Vulgar we must consider those who buy from wholesale merchants to retail immediately; for they would get no profits without a great deal of downright lying; and verily, there is no action that is meaner than misrepresentation."
There you have it. Cicero on cables!(hehe)
Sincerely
I remain,
I don't think it is Audio so much as human nature or something deeper. My camera was recently stolen and I have been looking to replace it. I have spent some hours researching options (digital or film ect...) and time on photo forums. Folks there remind me of folks here. Looking for perfect equipment and talking for hour about technical minutia when the owner's skill and eye (practice) is likely lots more important.
I golfed some time ago and golfers who can't swing a lick do the same thing with graphite/titanium clubs.
I still cycle a lot and guys who just do not put the miles in talk on for hours and worry about technical aspects of a bike frame that will never make a difference to their level of riding and spend absolutley stupid amounts of $$ for exotic frames which are nothing but things to show off to their friends for the most part. Often times the frames they buy are poorly suited for their skills (the frames are made for world class riders) and it works against them!
It is not just audio.
Same with the retail hype. It has been with us forever...I think you can expect salesman are always going push in that direction. I was reading a book on early Christianity last night and the author is setting up the context and the agrarian nature of the society. He quotes Cicero on Retail as follows:
"Vulgar we must consider those who buy from wholesale merchants to retail immediately; for they would get no profits without a great deal of downright lying; and verily, there is no action that is meaner than misrepresentation."
There you have it. Cicero on cables!(hehe)
Sincerely
I remain,