[Laundrew]

While enjoying my first cup of coffee this morning and listening to Simon and Garfunkel it struck me how far I have come in the last couple of years with respect to both my knowledge of, and also the audio equipment that I deeply enjoy today. Looking at my old Sony receiver in my closet, which will be recycled to my studio, to perhaps a future BDP-1 is quite an evolutionary step for Laundrew.

I have noticed that many individuals here on AudioCircle have a highly in-depth knowledge level of our shared passion, which we call audio. Having said this, I thought that it would be both fun and interesting to see the resulting demographics with respect to this poll.

So, I will first test the waters and grade my audio knowledge as a "C."

What say you 

Be well...         

[Mag]

I gave myself a 'D' for dumb.
Back in High School I took an electronic coarse where I remember electricuting myself. 

A few years later on a night shift job I had to assemble these sprayer tanks for agriculture stuff,outside in the dark with just the building lights for light.

 I needed the impact wrench, but the extension cord's wire was broke. I said to myself, "hey I know this!" I went inside and fixed the cord, plugged in the impact wrench. Then I squeezed the trigger and got one hell of a shock. Went inside and reconnected the wires, pulled the trigger again and got shocked so bad I almost couldn't let go of the wrench.

Got it right the third time!

[95Dyna]

I sure hope one of the 2 dumb guys isn't James Tanner  .

[Elizabeth]

I also would rate myself at a "C" level.

I have been around, know some stuff, but i do not know a lot about circuits, and techical stuff.
So C seems reasonable.

[HsvHeelFan]

B.

I know circuits.

I know what a live orchestra sounds like while sitting in the Orchestra.

Be aware that their is more to circuits than how they're drawn up on the schematic.  Physical implementation of the circuit is very important.

HsvHeelFan

[zybar]

Gave myself a "B".

I thought a B was appropriate based on a few factors:

- Understanding and knowledge of room acoustics and the important role that it plays (thanks to Ethan, Bryan, and others for a lot of my education)
- Experience with lots of gear.  Thanks to friends, dealers, vendors, and my wife, I have been able to try a lot of equipment over the last 15+ years.  By being able to listen to and experiment with the equipment, you build up a better understanding of the gear and your personal preferences and biases.
- Not afraid to ask questions and learn!  With so many knowledgeable people out there, it is easier than ever to share information.

If you are going to grade based on a deep technical understanding of all the equipment, I would drop my grade down to a "C".  To be honest, I don't have a burning desire to really understand the equipment and/or build it - I just want to know enough to be an educated consumer.

George

[tim92gts]

Another C here, can't really justify any more due to lack of experience.
Nicely calibrated ears from loads of performing in the past and listening to live music.
Just enough education to be dangerous, bit of engineering and metallurgy.

Haven't had enough time to do all the equipment shows.

Spent an hour on Saturday trying to convert a friend from valves to a nice pair of Brystons, hopefully he'll find a demo and believe i know something.
Tim

[soundbitten1]

I also would rate myself at a "C" level.

I have been around, know some stuff, but i do not know a lot about circuits, and techical stuff.
So C seems reasonable.

ditto

[michaelhigh]

I give myself a C, just for time spent trying to understand things that may never sink in. I suck at math. I'm mostly needing three hands when soldering, which slows down my DIY desire considerably, and I know a bit about system combos but still have questions about computer audio. I'm a musician with pro sound gear and enough vintage audio to be seriously dangerous, that's for sure! I've been performing since 9, 12 as a paid pro (joined the local musician's union to play philharmonic gigs), and have logged millions of hours in front of various stereos. My MediaMonkey rig with no DAC and a Gateway refurb sounds fabulous...I question the need for an outboard DAC as normal CD rips sound fabulous. I have almost NO exposure to highend auditions so I really don't even know what I'm missing. I'm in midfi bliss with a Sansui 8080DB and Klipsch Fortes.

[alexone]

 i think that C is ok for me knowing that I will always have to learn something about this hobby

al.

[Dandy]

It has nothing to do with "audio knowledge" but an intimate knowledge of your own system and where you want it to go.  There is no audio master, phd kinda of thing. The only thing you have to concentrate on is your own system and its sweet spot. No one really knows this better than yourself.

At some point if you are lucky enough to have stumble upon the sweet spot and found it's lure you are on a course of becoming your own master. F!@! who cares what other people think.

Once the sweet spot is apparent stuff like tubes and class A output are all just tweaks. There is experience to be had there but its just getting infront of these systems that will help you find your way in sound stage taste.

I guess what i am trying to say is don't underestimate your own ability to find your taste if you don't have a full understanding of different amplifier stages or output classes. It means nothing in your own home. So grade yourself appropriately, if you have found the sweet spot and you know how different gear appeals to you in that sweet spot. Thats a big grade A for yourself.....

werd

[Æ]

What exactly is "audio knowledge?"
Sound, music, listening, acoustics, equipment, electronics, theory, history, reviews?

[Rclark]

 Well considering that there are people with advanced degrees constantly pushing the envelope, and I'm just some dumb hobbyist who likes perusing forums with a cocktail in hand I'd give myself about a D+. However, standing on the shoulders of giants here at the AC has yielded so far the beginnings of a smashing sound system and I cannot wait to see the final result. This is the place to be, no doubt.

[Zero]

F.  Not that it matters at all.   

[Æ]

Well considering that there are people with advanced degrees. . .

An advanced degree in what? It doesn't automatically make you an educated audiophile.

[Rclark]

Oh, I was just including the guys who actually invent and make the stuff.