@markwd you’ve spent about three pages of discussion here playing a game of “bring me another rock”. Now I’d like to reverse that and ask you to bring some rocks to the discussion to help ground your criticisms of @mahgister’s perspectives. I noticed you don’t have a system listed on your information page so I am curious what your background is as a listener, and how that might influence your perceptions of what defines good sound to you, where you personally choose to make your investments, and what specifically you believe is to be avoided.
1. Are you a regular listener to hifi gear? Headphones? Speakers and amps? Multi-channel systems?
2.What is your preferred source(s), analog or digital?
3. What are the particulars of your setup that seem like reasonable steps to improve performance, shelving, room treatments, AC supply, connecting cables, anything?
4. Is there a system you’ve heard at an industry show, dealer showroom, or friend’s house that really floated your boat? If so, what was it about that system that appealed to you? What was the setup if you recall?
5. If I tracked this thread correctly, I believe you mentioned that you were undertaking an effort to expose or debunk audio gear, or tweaks being marketed with false claims and under dubious supporting principles. What are the categories of products that you will be evaluating, and how do you plan to carry out those evaluations?
It would be helpful to understand where you are coming from and what your personal experience is beyond reading and supporting ASR. We are all pretty familiar with where Mahgister stands and how he practices what he preaches in his own system and listening. He is an open book with many pages. You, not so much.
Thanks in advance for filling in any of these gaps so we can fully understand your approach and convictions as you enter into these discussions. This is after all, a largely subjectivist and in-room experience forum, and as such it helps to speak the language.
kn