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Am I a burning out audiophile????

...or am i simply a music lover to begin with???

Disregarding the debate that could potentially be born from the statement above, I sit here in my 18x18x8 room listening to Diana Krall's 'When I look in your eyes' through a pair of Totem Winds powered by a Krell kav-400xi and Jolida JD100a source. It sounds great, it truly does! It does so many things right and so little wrong! Why then, do I have the question in the back of my mind - 'is this system as musically engaging as my past system was?'

Tonally, it's better. It goes deeper. It's more accurate, smooth, well balanced, etc. etc. etc.

The prior system the back of my mind questions is that of the Totem Arros powered by a PrimaLuna Prologue Two with Cairn Fog source in a 9x11x8 room. If memory serves me correct - pure magic! What I thought at the time (and am wondering now) was the epidomy of emotional involvement!

Q.1 - am I only remembering the 'good times' with the prior system? (like how we photograph only the good times of our life and wax nostalgic about how great things used to be)

The move to the upgraded system was initiated by my desire to listen to more music with my wife. Today, (and last night, and the night before...) I still find myself listening by myself. Regardless of the extra chairs in larger space!

I also wanted to simplify and combine my seperate systems (5.1HT and 2-channel) into one higher-end 2-channel dual purpose system. The result is great sound, but perhaps not the most musically enagaging two-channel nor the most enveloping, impactful HT either? As a dual purpose system it performs great, but it isn't send ingtingles down my spine or have me toe-tapping like the smaller Arro system did.

Q.2 - have I gone too far??? Have I treaded into water where I have to think about the music too much to enjoy it??? Am I asking too much of a single system???

The road from system #1 to system #2 has had a lot of in-between systems that have just led to frustration and/or musical dissatifaction, but too much too get into detail here...

Q.3 - which brings us back to where I started; am I a burning out audiophile??? Am I simply thinking about this too much???

I don't know what I expect in response to this babble? I don't know if these questions are even 'real' or simply part of a rhetorical rant? Anyway, thanks for listening and feel free to post and thoughts or comments....
jh2os

Showing 7 responses by jh2os

jh2os OP
244 posts
 
The main body of the room is actually 17'8x18'8, and is open to a 8'x12' alcove on one side and a 4'x10' dormer on the other so it is not as bad as I may have led you to beleive...

...however, Erasmusj, your idea is an interesting one.

Soundlogic, your statement sounds logical. ;) I think you may be onto something there and it is something I find myself wondering as well!

I know this is good equipment and it does sound good, I am just THINKING about my system more now than ever before!

Before I had the bright idea to combine & have the money to get 'better' electronics, I didn't really question what the next best thing was, I just enjoyed the system. I need to get off this train!!!
jh2os OP
244 posts
 
Shadorne, you are absolutely correct. On more complex musical sources the Winds do out perform the Arros and at higher volumes levels as well. They outperform them on many levels and in many noticible ways. I am disturbed as while I can easily discern this and even enjoy these added benefits, something just doesn't quite seem right - the emotional engagement.
jh2os OP
244 posts
 
Timrhu, the current system is not a nearfield listening scenario - this may be part of the problem as you state.

French_fries, hearing those cost-no-object systems can sometimes be pleasing but i never intend to invest that type of money into hifi (at least for now). I think moving even several notches up the audio ladder is making me (and my wallet) realize the law of diminishing returns and I am seriously questioning if it is worth the $$$ to me?
jh2os OP
244 posts
 
Shadorne, get out of my head! ;) All good suggestions, but I find myself listening alone after she has gone to bed for the evening, not 'hermiting' or neglecting in anyway. We spend the evenings shopping, at the movies, mini-golfing, etc. The only thing unsatisfying in my life is probably work, and only the fact that I HAVE to work! ;) I do agree that mood does have a lot to do with one's perspective on a system. Who knows, maybe next week I'll be loving it?

I just think, for me, when spending this amount of $$$ I want to get some use out of it, but am realizing that this whole 'audiophile' thing may be way further down on my priority list that I thought???

Jaybo, that may be my wife's only concern with this hobby of mine. Every step up, every next piece I think (and state) I won't need to replce this for awhile. Awhile for me is usually in the 3-6 month realm. For my wife it would be 5-10 years! I think she's the one who's right about how that should be! ;)

Friztg, I have never tried high-efficiency gear before. Having a prior system that I still seem to hold in high regards I almost think it's smarter to rebuild that than opening a whole new can or worms! Although, that can could quite possibly be the answer as well?
jh2os OP
244 posts
 
Well, this evening I played around with the placement of the speakers and it did make quite a difference - in the right direction!

Also, my wife and I listened to the following this evening:

Anna Nalick
Better than Ezra
O Brother Were Art Thou?
Tracy Chapman
Jeff Buckley
Jack Johnson
Carole King
Counting Crows
Incubus
Cold Mountain
Tori Amos
Jill Scott
Keb Mo
Jane Monheit
Marilyn Monroe

With the speakers closer to each other with less toe-in and the listening position moved closer as well, it has allowed the large Winds to 'dissapear' and to allow the music to become a bit more engaging. The system may still be missing some of that 'magic' of my prior system, but this evening I had a smile on my face and my toes a tapping.
jh2os OP
244 posts
 
Sammie, that's funny. This Friday I just picked up two retro cruiser bicycles for my wife and I to hit the town on!
jh2os OP
244 posts
 
OK, so our ride yesterday led us past the community pool. We joined and it's close enough to ride our new bikes back and forth to, so 2 new hobbies to fill the summer months and get me back in shape! ;)

Sonicbeauty, you pose a good point as well and I am seriously considering that. The only decision I am making right now, it to put off any audio decision making for a month or so and just live with what I have and spend time enjoying the outdoors!
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