Sooooo for a n00b, how do these things normally go? I basically have a setup I'm happy with, but wouldn't mind trying new things, nor would I be opposed to anyone trying stuff I have (though I own nothing special at all - it's all in my profile for anyone curious).
Shower, clean your ears good. Your ears are basically earpad-hookers for the next few hours. Go to the pre-meet if you're hungry, or do it like I did and completely forget about the pre-meet. Bring your headphones, amp/dac, something to play music, and just in case, a power strip. When entering the glorious location, quickly run to the best looking spot and glare intently at anyone else interested in that area. Plop all your audio belongings down in said area to mark your territory. If you're sharing a power strip with someone else, remember back to the days of how amazing you were at Tetris and find the best way to position your wall warts minimizing the chance of overlap on an empty socket.
Right before finishing your setup, remember the
creative audiophile dictionary. It's possible without this knowledge on the forefront of your brain centers today, everyone may be speaking an alien language to you!
Ok, you did it! You've now managed to complete your rig! Though there's more! Now that you were completely focused on your setup for the last 5 minutes, you just now realize everyone else has set up around you. Your gaze meets the ruins on the floor, your pupils shrink, and your brow sheds a glimmer of sweat. The cables. The cables are everywhere! All those 10 foot long cables have managed to come out from every direction. As soon as you start to walk forward they seem to move towards your feet. One wrong move and you are the new owner of a $3500 LCD3!
Also don't go crazy at the meet. Yes there's a lot of cool stuff everywhere, and you want it all on your face right now. Just remember to take your time, be polite, or else we will duct tape you to a chair and force you to listen to Beats. It's a terrible fate.
I have no idea why I wrote this, but my HD 800 was delayed by USPS (go figure, Friday delivery that doesn't happen on Friday), so I have to be silly, because it's better than going insane. Biggest tease ever USPS, I hate you.