Does other Audiogon members' opinion carry any weight for you ?

I don't think there is reason to PM anybody (unless the two of you are engaging in a private liaison). If you've got something to say, do it in public and don't be a coward.

^ this

In one way or another this forum has had an influence on my rig. I first learned about my phono pre from reading threads on this forum.

After speaking with Keith Herron on and off over a couple of years he called me and asked if I still wanted him to build me a phono pre? This was after he retired from Herron Audio. He said he found enough parts to build a couple more. Of course I said yes! He unofficially called mine a VTPH-2ae. E for enhanced. It’s been in the rig for over three years. I’ve had a 6k solid state phono pre in the rig to compare but switched back to the Herron. 

The crazy thing about this hobby is that I’m sure I could find a solid state or another tube phono pre that would sound better but at what cost? I need money for more albums.

My blind to-go audiogoner was "almarg". Still miss him.

But there are others here who I know (from being here and reading their posts) who are genuinely adding value and  providing support. Most of these are folks who have been here for a while and at some point had their system posted. There are some newer folks, who have system posted and discuss only those equipment that they own. 

I do not trust the following people and completely ignore them:

1. Who have no system posted

2. Seem to know every single equipment

3. User who have joined recently and talk negative

4. Users who shrill for a product day in and day out (once a while is alright). Such posters seem to get angry when you question the product.

5. Users who show as "joined before 2003", but started posting tons of messages only recently. These seem like hacked accounts.

My avatar represent a great Russian artist...

Then your sarcasm only reflect your own ignorance and stupidity...

It is said that a picture does say a thousand words.