AXPONA Chicago April 10-12, 2026 - Who is going??

hilde45...I agree that OCD HI-Fi Guy may be too blunt for many viewers...But I also agree with 90% of what he's complaining about...So many opinions and anyone can post and review shows and gear on-line today and some are just repeating the BS they read or view.  

@chrisoshea The problematic word in your statement for me is "but" because it is essentially giving permission to calling people names, ridiculing them, in a public way with thousands of views. It is lowers the level of discourse. I wouldn't ban it, but it doesn't deserve approval.

Agree...We should all stop "calling people names, ridiculing them, in a public way with thousands of views" This is exactly why Hifi and the inter-web can often be fertile ground for nasty social discourse...Most any subject or opinion on-line can create a "panties in a knot" situation, an endless pissing match. Such is life in 2026...  

Let's face it...Hifi has a whole lotta snobbery and that turns off the younger people who might otherwise be interested in our passion.  

@chrisoshea Let’s face it...Hifi has a whole lotta snobbery and that turns off the younger people who might otherwise be interested in our passion.  

Much more positive than negative for younger people right now, actually.  A few Nimrods are not going to ruin it for the 95% who see through it. Stories and sharing on Reddit, Stereophile, with recommendations to "stand out of their way".  Sounds like good advice, and their journey reported over there kinda goes something like this, and good to know, quote:

• "headphones first
• desktop audio second
• then integrated amps and speakers
• often through used/vintage gear"

A couple reviewers at Axpona and others talking about nice "integrated" "all-in-one" units are capturing their attention now. That's very cool, 70s all over again ;)