Interesting article I thought others may enjoy reading!
https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/12/study-reveals-why-audiophiles-fall-snake-oil/
I have most definitely fallen into this trap (multiple times).
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Boxes I liked on demo get weeks to get used to from me. My Naim system was almost all new and took at least two and a half weeks before it sounded like what Iād heard.
Everything else? Thereās either an instant difference or not. They get 30 seconds to a minute.
Make of that what you will.
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No bigger illusion than delusion. 
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In fact , I believe all /most audiophile had fall for the so called snake oil at least ONCE . 
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I like that article, thanks for posting.
And let me first say that in no way I say that snake oil is a good thing.
But music is enjoyed in the same organ that is affected thereby. If it ends up that you enjoy your music more because of a snake oil effect, would you rather have the myth dispelled or keep the euphoria of a perceived improvement?
Yeah everything has a limit when it just becomes pure charlatanry and each one have different areas where logic intervenes. I will therefore not spend a lot of money on a network cable. But some other flavours of possible snake-oil has worked on me.
Do I always want to know the secret of the magicianās tricks? I donāt think so.
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I think Iāll stand back to make sure I donāt get in the way of the fireworks.
Roger
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Always been a believer in āmeā rather than my āequipmentā burning in. Needless to say I like the article 
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What a banal article, like something written by a five year old. Youād get more depth and insight in one of Meghan Markleās pieces on table decoration. There is snake oil in hifi. Wow. Whoād have thought it?
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If Headphonesty is a forum or a trading website you are likely to have the link removed as itās against forum rules.
Ss for the subject, yes snake oil abounds in hifi, and the more expensive the systems the more oily the snakes being harvested. I am a great believer in healthy scepticism where marketing claims are involved, and in the supporting value of [appropriate] measurements, and in blind comparisons especially where any significant cost is involved.
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āHides his Bedini Clarifierā.
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The article is definitely not sponsored by Nordost
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Or Entreq.
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I hadnāt heard of them before just now. Blimey
Well aware our brains/hearing adapts to new sound. What you listen to most often, becomes your āreferenceā. This is exactly why making comparisons of kit youāve owned years apart, with other kit in between canāt be trusted. When ārunning inā new kit, I specifically donāt listen so as to make sure the piece is actually running in & not my brain/hearing.
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Pleads āā¦ but it worked.ā
Take my money, Iām inā¦..
The greatest snake oil effect is in record decks and cartridges. The same cartridge on different decks can either sound thin and lifeless or fullsome and detailed. The differences can be staggering even with decks of the same monetary value such as a Rega P8 and a modded Project Evo Carbon.
I am currently reviving an immaculate 1970ās Michell Transrotor. Modern cartridges sound hollow and lifeless but an old Shure 95x with a new stylus just rocks on it.
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You should go to the 18 page study that it references, thatās where the interesting bits are