What would you tell to someone trying to get into this hobby?

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Zenophix, Mar 24, 2016.

  1. Zenophix

    Zenophix New

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    The title pretty much states it all if you could tell someone new to this the hobby that's interesting in learning everything it has to offer whats the most important piece of advice you would give them?
     
  2. chakku

    chakku Friend

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    Stay the f**k away from 99.9% of the communities surrounding it to keep your mind poison-free.
     
  3. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    Main things I wish I knew starting out:

    Price does not correlate well with performance or your personal preferences.

    Buy used, sell used, to try out different things (especially if you're not in an area with meets or stores)

    The road to the top can be fun but you'll end up spending more. If on the fence between two things, get the one you truly want, as you'll always be wondering "what if" and may end up with it later anyway
     
  4. Vastx

    Vastx Facebook Friend

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    "An audiophiles’s strength flows from the Ears. But beware of the dark side. Reviews, Buzzword, Hype Bandwagons; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a wrong purchase. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume your wallet it will. Huge disappointments will wait for you down that road, my young Padawan.
    And believe not the latest ultimate hyper technology, buy lots of vinyls you must."


    So I'd speak to him :)
     
  5. RAZRr1275

    RAZRr1275 Facebook Friend

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    Synergy is important. Don't just go into a thread about a top flight amp/dac in isolation, buy them, and assume it'll sound great with your headphones. Try to find specific impressions who have heard the amp/dac/headphones you want together to figure out of its a good pairing.

    You can get vintage or custom products at a discount that are as good as newer/more expensive things but you must be cautious. Make sure that vintage gear has been recently serviced or if it hasn't, make sure it has an appropriate discount and secure access to a tech who can fix it for you. If you buy custom, make sure you understand what's been done to the gear/make sure the builder has a good reputation. A good example is you can find MisterRogers DACs on sale periodically that are worth more than what they're priced at. This is a good buy. Bad example would be a Mainline that I saw on head-fi that was custom built, costs like $1500 but when Doc commented on it in the Bottlehead thread, his comments were something to the effect of "it's custom but if we thought that what's been done to it was good, it would've been in the final design. It wasn't". That's not a good buy.

    Short version, make sure you understand what you're getting into.
     
  6. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    1. As the previous quote of the day, don't dip into summit-fi until you're getting laid on a regular basis.
    2. From Schiit: alcohol [*and probably some greens] are the best fix to your audio problems.
    3. Keep you mind open. Know your self's preference. Don't ever try to convert other people.
    4. Transducers >>>>> amps (and possibly tubes) >> DACs and other source materials >(?) cables.
    5. A decent vinyl speaker system >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>everything above.
     
  7. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Buy what you can afford, give someone your wallet and walk away.
     
  8. Zenophix

    Zenophix New

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    Awesome thanks for all the replies. I'm relatively new to the hobby and slowly learning how things work what to stay away from etc.
     
  9. Abhishek Chowdhary

    Abhishek Chowdhary Friend

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    Bose, Beats and iEarphones are not the best!
     
  10. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Trust your ears, look at your wallet and first pay your bills.

    Then buy that audio gear.

    Regarding headphones: give your friend a KSC75 or Portapro and tell your friend to always keep it around (reference). I should have started my audio journey there...
     
  11. Vastx

    Vastx Facebook Friend

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    Man... you're so right. Every noob should get a portapro as a welcome gift. Astonishing HP for the money, starting from there really gives you an idea of diminishing returns.
     
  12. Mikoss

    Mikoss Friend

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    Shop around. Use the internet and research prices. Don't be afraid to buy used. Nearly every new piece of gear that comes out has some amount of hype... take your personal preferences into account and be thoughtful.

    Also, it seems that one could spend an entire life chasing the last 1%. This can be exciting but also crazy.
     
  13. Rex Aeterna

    Rex Aeterna Friend

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    yes...they....are!
     
  14. sk3383

    sk3383 New

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    Go to local headphone meets, audio shows, local hifi stores, etc. in person so you can audition equipment with your own ears and form your own opinions.

    You will save yourself an unimaginable amount of time and insurmountable sums of money.
     
  15. Rex Aeterna

    Rex Aeterna Friend

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    this applies for everything else. never trust the man....think i need to say no more...i think my writing has been compromised...
     
  16. sfoclt

    sfoclt Friend

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    Take the money and buy an instrument instead.
     
  17. sk3383

    sk3383 New

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    With all the money we are saving you with our advice, buy yourself a motorcycle, a car, a down payment on a house. Seriously..

    Dead Ass.
     
  18. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    if you reach a point where the music transcends the hardware to your ears, stop, or at least take a break.

    as many have already said, trust your own ears and tastes. mine are damaged a bit and there are cans i can enjoy that cause others to hurl them across the room. (AKG K550's anyone?)
     
  19. AustinValentine

    AustinValentine Friend

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    Don't chase the dragon. Learn to satisfice if you want to survive in this hobby in the long-term.
     
  20. ohhgourami

    ohhgourami Friend

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    Go big or go home.
     

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