I'm not a part of any "AVA cult", and I don't own any AVA equipment. I just don't understand why someone would actually create a topic for the specific purpose of calling someone out to chide them.
You don't understand it? I thought it was pretty obvious. People invest themselves in these loony notions (magic wires, shakti stones, gold solder, whatever, etc.) because they want all their audio buddies to think they are really super-enthusiasts, people to look up to due to superior knowledge, etc. They like the idea that they can look down on others. "Oh, yes, those $1.79 interconnect are probably just fine,
for you. I of course have higher standards, but not everyone can tell the difference like I can" - etc. It's classic poseur action, and the world of high fidelity is among the worst groups for this sort of thing. The entire "high end" audio salon industry depends on people buying into this and trying to one-up each other, with ever-increasing levels of delusion. Talk about cult behavior, the high-end audio is a series of cults all trying to out-snob each other. No one is actually paying attention to the results and making anything like objective - or frequently even rational - evaluations.
But boy howdy - gore their ox, and you aren't just engaging in a sober debate over the merits of the situation, you are deflating their emotional bubble of superiority. Then you are playing with fire, their very belief system is being attacked. And they will react emotionally.
Of course, it was also blatantly classic internet trolling. Laughably pathetic, but effective.
Brett