the quest for the best--within limits

My favorite to laugh about is "what cable is best for my XXX?"
As if anyone could sort out the real answers from the fanboy perennials, and the folks with an agenda.
And Dover has the best answer. The people asking the question are just not willing to bother doing a little research.

If this site every gave a defenitive answer on ANYTHING, people would not have so many questions. What's the point in searching the archives, if there are 235 answers posted, they will all be different. The best thing to do is to search the forums of each item of equipment and read what people that own the item have to say. And read between the lines even then. Audiogon is sort of like the UN of the audio world. Everyone's opinion has to be respected, no matter how silly.

And Dover has the best answer. The people asking the question are just not willing to bother doing a little research.
Elizabeth

Wouldn't you consider asking the question here part of the research process?

"Wouldn't you consider asking the question here part of the research process?"

It certainly doesn't cost anything to post a thread but the problem is a lot of people get tired of repeating the same information over and over again repeatedly so one would be well advised to research existing threads as as well.

One of the easiest ways of narrowing down equipment choice is to use the Virtual Systems.
For example if you have tonearm x, and want to know which cartridge would be best, then search on virtual systems to find out what other owners of tonearm x are using. Check the rest of their system to find out if they have similar taste to you.
Make a shortlist and check reviews on the web.
I think this methodology will give you a better, clearer picture and more likely to make the best choice than hundreds of recommendations without any explanation.