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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 10:41:40 GMT
I'm interested in why everyone visits and posts on hifi forums. What do you get from the experience, or is it what you can give? Do you use different forums for different things?
I have asked myself this question in the past and either left or joined forums as a result. My first forum was PFM but I was put off by circular arguments and cliques. I ended up just using it for classifieds. My Wigwam journey was much the same, although I sometimes post there. I've been a member of various other forums but TAS suits me because it's relatively conflict free and positive. I hold no beliefs that my views are universal or more important than anyone else's. This seems the only forum I've encountered where this is a given.
I post here because I feel comfortable. It's a good vibe that I get pleasure from being around. Have others thougt about where they frequent and why? It's always worth asking yourself this as sometimes you get into a habit of returning somewhere that no longer does it for you. I feel it's an interesting topic that doesn't get discussed much. It's also a useful one to reflect on periodically even if you don't feel like sharing your thoughts.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 26, 2016 11:38:18 GMT
I like the sharing. I learn as much, or more, than I give and that's the joy of a community. Many of us get to hear each other's systems, too, and you couldn't easily achieve that without a forum. Sharing new music is the most satisfying of all.
I can no longer imagine being a part of a forum where I feel that my views have to be modified to 'fit in'. I'm too old for that kind of nonsense. Here at TAS, everyone can just be themselves.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 11:52:22 GMT
That whole "fitting in" part really resonates with me. You've articulated something that I have felt about other forums without actually realising. The bit about hearing other systems is new to me, but we are getting a few northern members, so maybe something in the Summer would be possible on that score.
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Post by zippy on Mar 26, 2016 12:16:23 GMT
It's interesting to hear what people have to say about things.
If I think of buying new equipment it can be helpful to ask for comments from those that already use that equipment.
With regards to the 'standard' arguments over cables/mains/fuses etc etc I generally find them amusing or annoying since there's always roughly the same number of people for and against!
As for those who express totally entrenched views but cannot substantiate them, and the trollers, they're usually easy enough to ignore.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 26, 2016 13:35:30 GMT
Happy to give and take. TAS is a great place for that.
Some threads on other forums leave me open mouthed and unwilling to join in.
Occasionally I join in and regret it.
X, whatever it is "cannot make any difference" - but (99% of the time) they never tried it !
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myles
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Post by myles on Mar 26, 2016 13:47:30 GMT
No doubt my opinions on hifi forums in general has been seen on a recent AoS thread, and the way that ended just confirmed my thoughts. There is a lot of nepotism, cliques, shilling and ego displayed on most forums. However, when you filter out the idiots there is a great deal of knowledge and kind gestures from fellow enthusiasts to fall back on.
Would I not use a forum because of the negative aspects? No, but I daresay it won't be my choice whether I can continue being a member on some. That is the ego taking over.
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Post by John on Mar 26, 2016 14:47:20 GMT
I sometimes wonder if people see this passion from the outside as a bit strange kind of almost like train spotting.
So why I am a part of a forum?
I enjoy learning and reading about peoples interests and journeys
I like that even though forums can be a bit ego driven a lot of help goes on behind the scenes.
I have made a few friends over the years.
I have experienced some very different systems James, Speedy Steve, Steve (electricbeach) and Martins all sound amazing and yet different approaches with regards to equipment.
John
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Post by Slinger on Mar 26, 2016 16:15:28 GMT
I know sod-all about hi-fi but there are always a few music lovers knocking about to chat too. 90% of what I post is probably nothing to do with hi-fi per se, or at the very best holds a tenuous link to it. I haven't owned shed loads of kit, the "flat earth" thing was never on my radar, but I have been playing and listening to music for a very long time.
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Post by dsjr on Mar 26, 2016 16:28:35 GMT
I must hold my hand up and say I have a need to share in my hobby/life-obsession. When my audio-retail career ended in 2004, I tried to leave it behind me for a couple of years and just couldn't. I found PFM and started to share enthusiasm for ATC active speakers, upon which I was pounced on by Blzebub James, the rather online-obnoxious medical specialist? from Scotland and promptly accused of trolling, so a real baptism of fire..
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 26, 2016 17:10:16 GMT
I think 'trolling' is often too soft a word for some people
Damned unpleasant for no reason is close to it or a start for the word or phrase I'm looking for
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Post by MartinT on Mar 26, 2016 17:51:23 GMT
However, when you filter out the idiots there is a great deal of knowledge and kind gestures from fellow enthusiasts to fall back on. Yes, and it's right that that should be acknowledged, too. There's a great deal of good nature and generosity to be found here and in a couple of other forums I belong to. I've also made life friends from forum members in the past. |
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Post by Barrington on Mar 26, 2016 18:15:05 GMT
I'm an active member of three forums , I initially joined to ask advice and still do as I try different formats. The music is the main thing for me , I like to chat about it , read what people are listening to and getting recommendations. I run an album club and am a member of the album clubs on the other forums and have discovered lots of new music , I like the photography sections and do a bit myself , the sports sections I enjoy as well . The forums have filled the workplace void after I retired , 30 years in a car factory takes some coming down from  |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 26, 2016 18:38:19 GMT
I know sod-all about hi-fi but there are always a few music lovers knocking about to chat too. We exist as much for music chat as for hi-fi, so keep doing the good work! |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 26, 2016 18:40:50 GMT
30 years in a car factory takes some coming down from Which car factory? |
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Post by Barrington on Mar 26, 2016 18:47:30 GMT
Vauxhall Motors , Cheshire plant , 34 years man and boy  |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 26, 2016 18:59:01 GMT
I have a friend in Luton who worships Vauxhall. He's mad on cars and a good chap to know. I suppose now they're just another part of GM.
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Post by Chris on Mar 26, 2016 19:33:08 GMT
I only post on this forum. Tried the wam at first but there's some real first class dicks there. Proper arseholes.
For me this is a great place for finding new music and to be able to fire off a technical question and get a piss take free answer is just superb. I feel as well that I like to contribute what I can - I can't help much with techy stuff but if I can help someone I certainly try to. Kind of makes the forum go round really.
I miss my hifi/set up/rig( whatever the correct name is) when I'm away but I keep up with what everyone else is saying and I enjoy that as well.
Good crack as well.
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 27, 2016 0:20:30 GMT
Part of the reason I like a good forum is that it offers the opportunity to spend some time pondering things like the premise of this very thread. What an excellent question Andrew!
As Martin says, it's the sharing thing that I like the most. Learning something new every day is great. Finding new music every day is fantastic too.
In our particular corner of the internet everyone is able to be themselves and we have no self-styled oracles here at TAS, which is great and long may that be the case!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 0:37:18 GMT
I visit HiFi forums for the same reason I first started visiting hobby forums in the '90s - to pick up very useful knowledge and tips that will support a particular interest of mine. I also enjoy some aspects of the social side and the inevitable banter that goes with it. Having spent some time in the interim on forums devoted to 'chat' of all kinds (particularly political), I am now past the point of really taking seriously, or even caring about, the bile and snide that some malcontents take to posting and would not entertain for a minute pointless discussions on any subject with clearly arrogant tossers who are out to score meaningless 'points'. TAS is laid back and discussions rarely get into those kind of arenas (and are generally nipped in the bud pretty sharpish when they do) and I find threads pleasantly informative and welcoming. I don't have a lot to contribute but certainly a lot to benefit from my daily visits  |
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Post by davidf on Mar 28, 2016 12:58:53 GMT
I like to share with regards to music, and I'm always looking for something new, and I know there's others out there looking for the same thing. I enjoy the brew are side of things almost as much as the software, and having access to many brands I would hope I can add relevant opinions/comparisons if asked. I prefer to use forums rather than Facebook or Twitter etc.
It is much more laid back here, without any of the nastiness that plagues other forums. Most forums seem to have an individual (or a small number of individuals) that just spoil the whole thing for everyone else, and the only reason you can justify their presence there is to stir things up. There's also a few forums that are hunting grounds for some retailers/distributors who seem to try and take over the forum and treat it as their own, which spoils things in my opinion.
I've tried PFM and WW, and never really seemed to fit in there, and they both seem to get more and more aggressive as time goes on. Naim is Naim, Cyrus U takes some cracking, and whilst AVS seems like a worldwide forum like AVF, it is very US orientated. I really should post more here often!
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