How do I let go...the “D” word


A major life change has me contemplating selling my gear and “Downgrading.” And I don’t want to let go of anything. Last summer I lost my job due to the budget crisis in California. My wife of 29 years and I split and divorced. She got the house, etc., but not the stereo. I decided to fulfil my dream of going to Brooks Institute for my MS in Photography. So now I live a half a block from the beach, am unemployed, and going to one of the top photography schools in the world. Life is good!

Here's my dilemma: My old living room was 44’ X 30’ with high vaulted ceilings. The walls were rough cut wood and I had huge plants in every corner and other key refractive spots. Now I rent a small house in Santa Barbara and my listening room is small and has plastic walls and ceilings and glass windows all around. My Dyn’s are so toed-in that they’re more like headphones. I know I won’t live here forever, and that someday I will again have a great listening room. But for now...should I “Downgrade,” and to what; or keep it for better days?
rosstaman

Showing 3 responses by rosstaman

My budget will probably be around $8000-$10,000 give or take a few. For amps, speakers and TT. Obviously, I'll look to A'gon for the best. So what I need are smaller TT : possibly a Basis 2100. Tube monoblocks? Speakers that are easier to drive than the Dyn's.
My budget will probably be around $8000-$10,000 give or take a few. For amps, speakers and TT. Obviously, I'll look to A'gon for the best. So what I need are smaller TT : possibly a Basis 2100. Tube monoblocks? Speakers that are easier to drive than the Dyn's.

I have a very eclectic taste in music. Classical, rock, motown, reggae, jazz (pre-fusion), world beat, etc.
Nice website Marco. I'm going for my MS to teach. I'm 53 and not willing to compete with the 20+ year olds that graduate and are willing to put in 80 hours a week. Been there, done that! Teaching will allow me to "focus" on fine art, wildlife, travel, and undersea photgraphy while I teach. Besides If I teach I can get medical insurance, which I can't now due to a pre-existing condition.

If I sell my stuff, I'm thinking of going tubes. The VPI TNT V with table is huge and about 300 lbs. The Pass X600 are 175 lbs each, I think I'll keep the preamp and cd player, Any suggestions?

Ross