It is very useful to be able to interact with those with loads of experience, it is the one thing that the other sites seem to forget, ans as such generate far less interest and use. This forum is always quite lively with some hifi geeks posting at 5am in the morning (and yes from the UK). Possibly been clubbing and then come in to have a go on the forum...or maybe just sat up all night listening to the beloved stereo.
It's also interesting to see other people in action, suggesting what they know best. I know for instance d_a_n1979 will always suggest B&W speakers and Arcam 9 or 10, Thaiman will always suggest what he happens to have that week (but has probably worked his way through all the major products at some point), dear Keith will always suggest that anyone who buys a cable is a fool, Clare will always passionately take the company line but is just as addicted to hifi as the rest of us, Andrew is the wise old owl and moderates well even having a bit of banter, Andy Clough has a similar system to mine and is very happy with it, some people are new and want a little advice on their first hifi purchases. I could go on...
The most important thing is to keep this lovely cottage industry going, without the small specialists the hifi market would be like every High Street in the UK, bland and boring.
My missus actually said to me that I buy kit that she's never heard of and why didn't I go with the big brand names. She is not alone as the vast majority of the population do this because they don't know any better, and in many cases are being shortchanged and ripped off.
My local High Street in Stoke Newington, N16 has just allowed a Tesco Express to open after having a whole area completely free from chain stores. Unfortunately this means the beginning of the end, and it's therefore vital that we continue with forums such as this to give a boost to those smaller companies that offer something a little different!