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An unscientific poll: How often are you happy?

What percentage of the time do you just break out in a smile and thoroughly enjoy the music *and* the sound when you fire up your system? 10%? 50%? 99%? (The other times: you hear something wrong, something lacking, needs tweaking, needs upgrading, colorations, distortions, you hear a noise, a tube might be going, not musical enough, can't suspend your disbelief the way you want to, your expectations are disappointed, it doesn't sound like you remember the dealer's system did, doesn't sound like you remember your friend's system did, you made the wrong move with the last upgrade, you doubt the money you recently spent really made a difference, the recording is too flawed, you wonder what it would sound like if you changed this or that, you enjoyed it more in the car, you question whether you've truly got your priorities in perspective, etc...) Give your %, and list the approximate $ investment you have in the system (specify new or used valuation). Mine: happy about 15% of the time, valuation around $17,000 if all bought new. Conclusions - if any - drawn later...
zaikesman

Showing 7 responses by gregm

gregm
3,395 posts
 
Unsurprisingly, this kind of discussion indubitably leads to recommendations for audiophile approved Scotch! My vote goes for Lagavulin -- but I won't turn down a Laphroiag (sp?) or any other single malt in the offering...
After the 8th scotch, the home system sounds BETTER than live (-- not that I can tell the difference anymore...)
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Throughout the years, I have raised my satisfaction ratio to ~50%... through self-imposed leniency rather than system performance level. As I, too, attend many live performances, my pure expectations from a home system (mine is ~60k) had been inordinately high with an inversly proportional satisfaction/ music enjoyment rating...

BUT:
On the one hand, I cannot hear all the music and performers I want live and on the other, I NEED to enjoy the music at home, too -- and get away, get transported... what have you. Hence, the Pavlov trick: it works as a catalyst, keeping sonic considerations from putting too much of a damper on my enjoyment of the music. Cheers!
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Dear Detlof, it's all a matter of psychology (said Anna to Dr Freud)..:-)
All I do is pretend MY system sounds like YOURS. And when I fail the pretence, I go Craig's way: MY bad mood is at fault. Simple.
Cheers, all!
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Nil & Sek brought us back, and Sek's last paragraph probably echoes many of us. Just thought I'd inform everyone that I upgraded from Lagavulin to Lafroiagg, for the jazz/blues music. The upper range is definitely better, and p.r.a.t.t. has improved. Cheers!
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Beautiful piece, Oz. Well written, too. There are positive facets A/B testing after all. The post above serves as an example! Clink!
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Rcprince, may I top Detlof's recommendation? 200 is good, more is better. I had & loved an 80, so my opinion on that unit is biased, hence, irrelevant. But, I have a feeling that the Jadis sound is present in all their machines -- but the more the power tank, the more you can hear it through the speakers. I.e. when I once listened to Detlof's 800 vs my tiny 80 (years ago), the little 80 just didn't have the strength, or the power competency, if you will, to bring out the sound of the 800. It had it, but was too young & inexperienced to reveal it. As you say, involvement is the operant word. I don't remember if my Jadis was revealing, clear, 3dimensional etc... just that I liked the music.
BTW, lately I'm 117% happy with my system. A Chateua Margaux helps with the difficult passages. Let me refer you to Ozfly's detailed review above. Cheers!
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Hi Detlof -- Whaaat? Only 500 per side??? Well, we have to survive with what we have... :)
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