Hello fellow enthusiasts. This week's editorial is to explain a series of important decisions I have made.

First of all: the Premium user concept has disappeared. I was not entirely satisfied with placing an economic limit on certain functionalities. Putting a price on knowledge or content creates a barrier between those who can afford it and those who cannot. A barrier that has nothing to do with the love for music, equipment, or culture. It was a 100% economic metric that excluded people who, due to a myriad of circumstances, could not pay for it, or who ideologically did not align with the idea.

So, starting today, all content, all functionalities, all sections are completely free for everyone. Without economic barriers.

I know what many of you are thinking: if users don't pay, advertisers do. That's how the internet works. And it's true that advertising has been there from the beginning, paused and latent, ready in case it was ever needed to keep this HiFi social network alive, being such a niche community.

Is it time to activate it now? Is it time to swallow advertising for Hificafé to survive?

Absolutely not.

I have decided that Hificafé will always be free and free of intrusive advertising. Hificafé is a neutral, free, open space for everyone.

And how will it be sustained?

It will survive because there are people, like you and me, who want this to exist in this world. We will be what has traditionally been called Patrons: people who voluntarily contribute a micro-donation so that the system is sustained, and if possible, grows.

As of today, Premium users no longer exist. Patron users exist, who decide to help the community project. The reference fee remains 2€ al mes, but everyone can donate the amount they deem appropriate. Those who can give more, the better. Those who cannot, are also welcome — because contributing to Hificafé is not just about contributing money.

What is the community like?

On this High Fidelity Culture platform, we all contribute something. Some contribute the technology that makes it possible. Others contribute their articles to the blog. Others contribute knowledge by answering other users. Others contribute videos, others photographs, others good vibes, others money to cover expenses. Each one contributes what they can and what they want. And I have absolute faith in our collective desire to continue enjoying this hobby, making it increasingly free, accessible, and vibrant for everyone.

One last thing.

Many other sites are seemingly free. Facebook, for example, where there are so many audiophile forums. People don't pay money. But it's not true that it's free: users are paying with advertising, and above all with something more subtle and more dangerous — with an algorithm that decides what should interest them. Do you remember when about four years ago we all wanted some Wharfedale Linton? Or before that, some KEF LS3/5A? Or now a Chinese Clase D amplifier? Do you really believe that people were genuinely interested in them? No. We were targets of a paid algorithm designed to manufacture purchase opinions.

Now that Hificafé is completely free, there's something we can all do: offer a real alternative to those audiophiles who are still trapped on Facebook. Out there, there are many people who are still targets of sales algorithms and who don't know that a free site exists where they can enjoy themselves just as much, and with much less noise.

Talk about Hificafé. Share it. Bring people. This home belongs to everyone, and the more of us there are, the stronger it will be.

See you inside.