For me, when I have the system as good as I perceive it can be within what I sanely feel like spending, then I have to STOP READING anything about audio--forums, reviews, new products, etc. I went 18 years with basically the exact same components when I did this the last time. The only thing I replaced was a totally blown component that would cost too much to fix to keep it. I'm very close now, as I love all the components together in my system and have done the Schroeder method with all the sets of ICs. I could go to higher cost ICs in the Schroeder method and have this part of the journey never end. I said I would do all 3 sets of ICs with the Schroeder method and love it. I have and I'm done.
Don't listen to friend's systems that are much better than your own either. Help your friend's out by letting them borrow things to try in their own systems. I have 2 close friends and we do quite a bit of exchanging.
Building a system that is ULTIMATELY musical and dynamic to listen to
does take a good ear. I absolutely love the system I now have. A couple things are being done to optimize things in some way but other than shipping, it is costing me nothing.
I will buy my own syringe on Perfect Path Total Contact to paste the contacts that I have removed or changed out in the past couple years. I bought part of a supply from a friend to do what I did. I WILL NOT start pasteing everything that has been suggested on the Forums. Tube pins, AC plugs, IEC pins, RCA male ends, spade lugs, bananas--did do the fuses, but will clean those off and not do the next time. Too much mess.
As you can see, my final quest was on tweaking the system in many somewhat less expensive ways to finalize the sound.
I just need to keep busy in retirement so I stay away from hobby reading.
If I can't be extremely happy with my system, I should do as Jim Carey did in Liar, Liar and kick my own ass.
Bob
Don't listen to friend's systems that are much better than your own either. Help your friend's out by letting them borrow things to try in their own systems. I have 2 close friends and we do quite a bit of exchanging.
Building a system that is ULTIMATELY musical and dynamic to listen to
does take a good ear. I absolutely love the system I now have. A couple things are being done to optimize things in some way but other than shipping, it is costing me nothing.
I will buy my own syringe on Perfect Path Total Contact to paste the contacts that I have removed or changed out in the past couple years. I bought part of a supply from a friend to do what I did. I WILL NOT start pasteing everything that has been suggested on the Forums. Tube pins, AC plugs, IEC pins, RCA male ends, spade lugs, bananas--did do the fuses, but will clean those off and not do the next time. Too much mess.
As you can see, my final quest was on tweaking the system in many somewhat less expensive ways to finalize the sound.
I just need to keep busy in retirement so I stay away from hobby reading.
If I can't be extremely happy with my system, I should do as Jim Carey did in Liar, Liar and kick my own ass.
Bob