1st Impression, Join the Forum?

No.

I don’t know about "fake" but the hobby/pursuit has certainly changed. In the process, some history and context has been lost; post-WWII, this was the province of DIY types, buying raw drivers, building cabinets, wiring up amps (or kits); the skills and attitude came from a massive amount of surplus and the training in radio/military.

Many evolutions since then. Far more commercialized, obviously. The legacy press is locked into a dance with the manufacturers chasing an ever smaller cohort for increasingly expensive "stuff" that is styled as a "luxe" good, or has exotic materials or is a "veritable bargain" at 100s of K dollars. I think people get skeptical, find a disconnect and look to the fora for grounded views.

At the same time, the digital, portable, small form factor, cost effective "iPhone" style is today’s currency, partly because of how people live- they aren’t necessarily centering a room on a traditional hi-fi.

I’m an old school guy but find curiosity to be the driving force. I post less here than I once did; I’m probably in the minority though don’t claim expertise, engineering chops or knowing everything about the latest and greatest. I think part of this is a natural evolution of web fora- in exotic cars, 20 plus years ago, folks still had and talked about vintage Italian sports cars that are today, not only unobtanium, but unappealing to the driver who prefers the visceral experience, stick gear box and real "Corinthian" leather. (actually Connolly hides, but another "thing").  Today, crazy battery hybrid paddle shifting space machines. It’s a different mindset altogether.

I don’t begrudge anybody their lack of knowledge; but I do see an aimlessness that is less disciplined-- not so much ’by the numbers’-- the spec/material driven measurement approach is an even more vital part after a lot of fatigue in the subjective school of flowery prose. There are no gurus, there should be no gatekeepers. We learn by listening and sometimes by mistakes. And of course, you have to look at the impact of "social media"- which has an entire culture that has nothing to do with the ostensible subject matter, e.g. audio, cars, watches, wine, whatever. In short, we went from hands-on hobbyists with skills (well, not claiming that much for me) to luxe goods Instagram moments. (Part of it may be age, point of entry, access and exposure but that’s a whole different set of criteria). Good luck, have fun.  

@pindac you type eloquently. Agree with what you said, especially concerning portable audio where I think a good portion of future audiophiles are going in this somewhat unreachable market and hobby some of us take for granted.

As for this forum, it’s taught me a lot. I’m in my mid-40’s which is much younger than the average age (mid-60’s) of members which generally includes experience. I’ve never heard the term “fake audiophile” but I chuckle whenever I recite the term in my mind. All I know is that if you’re participating in an audio forum like Audiogon you’re probably an audiophile - whether you like it or not; whether you do or don’t become susceptible to the superficial sweetener that registers just as sweet in my mind :)

The forum is undeniably dominated by a few individuals. Especially where a selection of individuals are types who are stopped in seeking progress by their being influenced by their contentment. 

Contentment: Is a comfort zone, a drive and the push to make ways forward become lost. Progress is waned; possibly for some forum members who regularly contribute, progress is non-existent, and reignition of ambition is not possible due to the sodden mindset. 

When such individuals express contentment and become prolific in their activity on the Gon forum. It becomes quite clearly demonstrable that there is a shortcoming in the content supplied; the following is strong in being noticeable for its presence: 

                                Contempt Prior to Investigation  

Pindac, please get over yourself.