Do you read the instructions?

[Peluvius]

Over the years I have seen some of my most significant advances in audio quality for my systems just by reading the instructions and making the correct connection/configuration (that was wrong to start with).....

I don't know about you guys but I am a typical user who leaves the instructions in the box unless it just does not work....not ideal for someone who likes to eek out every possible improvement from a system hey.

Example 1 - Using the Toslink optical return from my TV for audio path before using the proper HDMI connection direct into my AVR. Immediately gave me a very noticable lift in audio quality.

Example 2 - Discovering (after not too long mind you), that my sub was not turning on as I had the "on" trigger set to low sensitivity.

I could go on....

So now I actually re-read the instructions for my kit to check if there is anything I have missed or anything that may have changed in my system that may need additional configuration or settings.

 

[RayDunzl]

I'll typically read the User Manual before buying something, if available, and pertinent.

 

[Peluvius]

I'll typically read the User Manual before buying something, if available, and pertinent.

I do that as well. I find the instructions fill in gaps around marketing and promo material and it is part of the excitement for me of getting new gear (and not having it yet). Of course, I promptly forget most of the detail!

 

[AdamG]

I won’t take the item out of the box until I have read the manual at least once and many times more than once. Depends on how many buttons and functions it has. But as a Navy Engineer you become accustomed to reading manuals and tech specs. Later in my career I wrote said tech specs, drawings and design bills of materiel.

 

[Peluvius]

I won’t take the item out of the box until I have read the manual at least once and many times more than once. Depends on how many buttons and functions it has. But as a Navy Engineer you become accustomed to reading manuals and tech specs. Later in my career I wrote said tech specs, drawings and design bills of materiel.

I am somewhat comforted in the knowledge that the personnel responsible for Naval weaponry systems have read (and comprehended) the instructions...

 

[pkane]

Over the years I have seen some of my most significant advances in audio quality for my systems just by reading the instructions and making the correct connection/configuration (that was wrong to start with).....

I don't know about you guys but I am a typical user who leaves the instructions in the box unless it just does not work....not ideal for someone who likes to eek out every possible improvement from a system hey.

Example 1 - Using the Toslink optical return from my TV for audio path before using the proper HDMI connection direct into my AVR. Immediately gave me a very noticable lift in audio quality.

Example 2 - Discovering (after not too long mind you), that my sub was not turning on as I had the "on" trigger set to low sensitivity.

I could go on....

So now I actually re-read the instructions for my kit to check if there is anything I have missed or anything that may have changed in my system that may need additional configuration or settings.

Instructions?? What are those? It’s much more fun to try to guess how to make something work

 

[escape2]

I'll typically read the User Manual before buying something, if available, and pertinent.

Same here.

 

[Freeway]

When all else fails, read the instructions.

 

[ryanosaur]

Yes. 9 out of 10 times.

Depends on how complicated the item. A desk fan? No.

 

[Peluvius]

When all else fails, read the instructions.

The trap often though is that it does work.....just not as well as it could!

 

[Peluvius]

Yes. 9 out of 10 times.

Depends on how complicated the item. A desk fan? No.

And then you must comprehend the item instructions in the context of what is often a wider system. One setting may be optimal in stand alone but when combined with XXXX the optimal setting is otherwise.

 

[Chrispy]

Yep I usually read the manual before purchase of anything audio. Just a better source of info than the advertisements/retail blurbs in general as well as answering specific connectivity questions/specs. Reading all those manuals helps answer newb questions quite a bit, too

 

[NiagaraPete]

I can absolutely say yes and no.

 

[garbulky]

I usually don't bother with the manual - unless it's for a specific thing I'm not familiar with. However I will Google stuff about my device before I read the manual.

 

[Waxx]

It depends on what it is, sometimes i read it in advance (like many here it seems) to see if it can do what i want, sometimes i don't read it at all (if it's a simple thing).

 

[Speedskater]

Instructions now, aren't what they were in the past.
Now it's pages of Safety & legal stuff and a few Power Points for real instructions.

 

[restorer-john]

I am somewhat comforted in the knowledge that the personnel responsible for Naval weaponry systems have read (and comprehended) the instructions...

He only said he wrote the instructions. He never said he read what he wrote...

 

[restorer-john]

Humans make mistakes.

Schematic diagrams in service manuals are full of mistakes. I mean every brand. Usually they are so obvious you just look at the flaws and face palm (for them). Often you just say to yourself "WTF were you clowns thinking when you printed this?" Other times, you can spend hours trying to track down faults due to incorrect diagrams, schematics, layouts, component values or just plain screw ups.

Then you have blatant design errors made by so-called EEs. I mean chit that shouldn't have seen the light of day. But it happens.

 

[pkane]

I usually make a bigger mess when I read the instructions than when I don't. My mind always finds new ways to interpret the written word in a way that wasn't intended by the author(s)

 

[Sokel]

I found out after ten years of hard use that my interface has ground lift buttons.
Do I need to answer?