The universal band-aid? I'm sorry, that does not exist.

I am a lazy person. Let's get that out in the open right from the get-go with this entry. I do not like to pour hours into research much of the time, I tend to be impatient, and generally I like to use the experiences of others to base my own decisions upon.

When I'm looking for a new information about a product I might want to purchase, this attitude often works well - really well. For new computer parts it's almost perfect. I can look at other people's hardware and overclocking results, see what kind of performance they net from that given hardware, and go from there. Brilliant!

But...

There are a few sectors of the market where I can't fathom why somebody would want to make a decision almost blind, especially based on a list. Best CPU under $100? Pretty easy - go look at some performance charts, and you've got your answer. Maybe you decide to factor in other hardware requirements or things like TDP and brand preference. But, what about the best sound card under $100? I really can't go look at performance charts - most everything will say 24 bit, 192khz, SNR >100dB, etc. Much the same for speakers, or headphones, a new DAC. So, that would mean it's best to draw on the experience of others, right? Of course - but with limits.

I listen to a lot of progressive music - much of it is quite busy. I would consider myself a detail nut moreso than a bass head. This does not necessarily mean I'll like the same speakers as Johnie who is a huge fan of all things Jay-Z and Kanye. (Actually, I love Kanye, but that's a different post entirely ).

I digress - apologies.

Remember that bit on perception a few days ago? It's an incredibly personal thing. Everybody is different. So, listen to what you want. If that's not at all possible, try to get advice from people who share tastes with you. A list is a outstanding tool to get started - but it should be no more than that; a starting point. The overuse of simplistic means of conveying information can lead to misconceptions of how to decide what is ultimately the best decision for the purchase-ee to make. Two eyes, two eyes, and one mouth - with one very important reason for that ratio.