Do you implicitly trust anyone's taste in this hobby?

[caesar]

Is there anyone in this hobby whom you completely trust in terms of taste? (No, I'm not talking about business practices!)

Is there anyone who could recommend something to you that you could just hand them your credit card to tender the transaction, without auditioning in your own system? Is there a manufacturer / brand that you could just buy and know this is the perfect component for your system, without trying?

For me, there is a guy or 2 that I trust, but on a level of about 77%, 23 % off from perfection.

 

[thedudeabides]

Not I. Everyone has their own unique auditory senses.

However, I'd consider opinions that reflect my personal listening biases and audition from there.

GG

 

[still-one]

I might do that for cable upgrades but as far a speakers, amps or digital front end I would have to say no. I only trust my ears.

 

[Asamel]

There are people who's opinion I trust but I'd have to listen for myself. Trust but verify, as they say.

 

[dallasjustice]

I only trust the REAL experts. Not really.

I trust nobody and nobody should trust me.

 

[zztop7]

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15230&d=1397487268

This guy trusted & look at what happened to him .

zz.

 

[microstrip]

Is there anyone in this hobby whom you completely trust in terms of taste? (No, I'm not talking about business practices!)

Is there anyone who could recommend something to you that you could just hand them your credit card to tender the transaction, without auditioning in your own system? Is there a manufacturer / brand that you could just buy and know this is the perfect component for your system, without trying?

For me, there is a guy or 2 that I trust, but on a level of about 77%, 23 % off from perfection.

Caeasar,

Are you addressing components or a full system?

 

[Ronm1]

Never!

 

[treitz3]

Only mine.

Tom

 

[treitz3]

Like tastes, yes. Fundamentals, perhaps. Trusting a recommendation from a select few, absolutely. Implicitly trusting someone else in this hobby? No.

Tom

 

[MylesBAstor]

Great men think alike, fools seldom differ.

 

[BruceD]

Geez Myles-you missed your calling--such eloquence per Quote!--I could just see you on the stage--"Alas poor Yorick/etc"-Ha!

Hmmm-- I think Tony Cordesman struck the right notes most of the time

The current crop of reviewers seem to have difficulty telling Payola from Pianola

BruceD

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

On gear NO.
On music YES.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

There are a handful of companies I trust, because their philosophies and design and testing methodologies are based in a belief that transparency to the source is the objective, and because they seem to pursue that objective at every price point, creating inexpensive products that are remarkably good and expensive ones that are spectacular. Harman, throughout its range of brand offerings, is probably the biggest and best example. On a much smaller scale, Benchmark fits the mold. At the cheap end of the range, Behringer electronics can be mind-bogglingly good for the money, though the build quality is not great.

If my house burned down and I had to replace my listening systems, I'd go straight to the Harman companies to do my shopping. Wouldn't even need to shop around. YM, of course, may vary.

Tim

 

[Joe Whip]

No, I listen for myself although that is getting harder and harder to be able to do. I read the mags and on line to see what is new. I would never trust a reviewer's opinion without investigating myself.

 

[mbovaird]

Interesting topic. I would say there are a few close to me I use as a guide for auditions ("you must go and hear X") - but never for blind purchasing decisions.

 

[cpp]

Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do