ES, you have my sympathy regarding the confusion this thread has induced. Consumers have so many choices in every product category it is mind numbing. I think your analogy to a political debate is very true. We use politics and our consumer choices to define who we are in society and defend these viewpoints with much vehemence. A real problem with opinions on websites like this is that objectivity and the range of experience of posting commentators is usually a big unknown. Your observation that opinions are so variable, even in lower priced gear, can be explained by several things. First, I'm convinced we all must hear or experience music reproduction in different ways. Whether this is variability in our ear/brain interface or psychological, I don't know. Otherwise, how can two experienced listeners hear products like the Gallo 3.1's or Von Schweikert Vr4 (for example) in the same environment and have radically different impressions of product competence? This happens ALL the time. Secondly, we tend to forget that audio systems don't operate in a vacuum, they interact with the listening room and the room is a component too. Maybe the most important component. Also, there is a crapshoot as to whether gear is going function together in harmonious synergy that corresponds with ones priorities of sound reproduction. My advice to you would be to accept that you've got to build an audio knowledge base and this takes some time. When I started this crazy obsession 30 years ago, I knew nothing (and couldn't afford much more than that.) Buying decisions were admittedly a lot simpler then too, not nearly so many choices. I read constantly, learned what reviewers had priorities similar to mine and used those opinions as a helpful guide to buying decisions. I still got stuck with a couple of purchases that didn't work out too well, but that's why you're getting advice to always purchase from sellers who give you a trial period in your home.
