Burning question regarding upgrading paths


Thanks visiting my thread!

While you are here, please ponder on the following queries and answer to the best of your abilities. Each of these questions is designed to upgrade my state of mind. You ability is timed and will be weighted against the answers given by people who are the same age as you.

1) What is the best way to upgrade existing system "A"?
(upgrade=more clarity, dynamics and better soundstage)
(you only have $2000 to allocate)

A= Cal Audio Delta-AQ Emeralds
Meridian 518-Mapleshade ultrathin
Cal Audio Sigma-AQ Emeralds
Aragon 8002-AQ Argent/Midnight double biwire
KEF 103/4
LAT International on all electronic components

A) Upgrade DAC
A dac with tube output is prefered.
B) Purchase preamp
A tube preamp is prefered.
C) Upgrade cable between amp and speaker
Silver cable is prefered.
D) Digital cable
Make me a believer.
E) None of the above
Sell system A and start over
F) I don't care.

2) What is the fundamental utilitarian purpose of Zen Buddhism for the self and for the masses?

A) By fulfilling nature, man is fulfilled.
B) By acceptance of thought, man becomes congruent.
C) By meditating, man negates yin and yan from consciousness.
D) Meditation is good cardiovascular exercise.
E) Zen is derived from aryan caste systems designed to enslave the masses.
F) None of the above. (prove short essay answer?)

Stop, your test is finished.

Thanks for helping me sleep easier,
Etane
viggen

Showing 4 responses by gunbei

Mes, in your response to question #2 [MU], are you making a reference to the Japanese concept of emptiness? If so, I will try to expand on that suggestion.

Viggen, I think a viable path for you to take is the way of the Shugyosha. This would allow you to seek enlightenment for both of your questions while on a single journey.

Roughly 300-500 years ago in feudal Japan people from various backgrounds would embark on spiritual treks with the goal of finding the state of "emptiness" or "mu". Priests, swordsmen, caligraphers, tea masters, etc. followed this path. Many warriors would roam the land, training themselves and engaging in all manners of duels. The famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi participated in over 60 duels from the age of 13 to 29 and never lost. It wasn't until he was in his mid-50s did he think he had become enlightened in the way of the sword.

Therefore, my answers would be 1) E, and 2) F.

As many Shugyo have done in the past, and even as the great Buddha himself did... Viggen, I feel you should cast aside your current music system and all your conceptions of the ideal setup, then wander the world listening and enjoying music in as many hifi salons as you can. When you feel it would advance you to a higher state, you should challenge the masters of appropriate stereo shops to aural duels to the death.

Only after facing death and emerging victorious many times will you be able to enter aural combat unfettered and in the state of MU. Without fear, anger, hate, or a preconception of the outcome is the realm of emptiness. Then one day you will find YOUR way, YOUR ideal music system, and you will know it without doubt.

Just make sure you don't go over board like Musashi and bath on occasion. Bopping around in feudal Japan smelling like a rancid goat may have been OK, but this is the 21st century and hifi dealers may not allow you to enter their audio temples if you haven't bathed in a few years.

For those who wish to learn more about these deranged hybrid concepts, I would suggest reading Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings [Go Rin No Sho] simultaneously with the works of Arthur Salvatore the Audio Critique.
Viggen, the exploits of Alexander The Great interest me immensely. I never realized such a connection existed to the Far East. Kind of a "6 degrees of Alexander of Macedonia"? It doesn't surprise me though, all these ideas seem to have universal appeal.

Mes, are you saying I'm altering or accelerating the priniciples of Charles Darwin? Cool! So by unsampling and increasing the word length of digital signals with new and improved DACs are we trying to add vinyl legs to CDs? Hahah! Everytime I get a new piece of gear to try out, I can feel extra appendages sprouting from my body.

Viggen, it's all about the journey man! Have fun!
Viggen, when you mentioned you'd read Go Rin No Sho when we were doing the cable comparo at your place, I had totally forgotten about this thread and the discussion that took place almost a year ago.

How about this one...

"True refinement seeks simplicity." - Bruce Lee

...or is that 6chac?

But who am I to say, I have all sorts of cables and components interweaved in my room.
Yeah, Bro.

GO [five]
RIN [rings, spheres, circles]
NO [denotes possessive]
SHO [book]

That's about the limit of my Buddhahead speak.