I can feel your pain. I went from 10k speakers, 8k cd, etc down to nothing and now have started back with a very modest system. In my case I grew too fast and got to striving for specific sounds instead of enjoying the music which was my original intent. Well there were other reasons as well but lets just say I was compelled to get rid of everything.
At the time I intended to get a system back but one that was less demanding. I going to tell you what happened but I want to say I didn't do it on purpose but I am glad it happened.
After selling all my stuff off, one thing led to another and I couldn't replace anything for a time. I was worried for a while if I would ever get back into the hobby. However I get numerous magazines and spend too much time on the web (on Audiogon mostly) so I kept my hands in things but didn't buy. As time went on I got more anxious about getting something and when it became apparent I could start as far up the chain as I wanted, I slowly became convinced that some well thought out inexpensive system was better than nothing.
To this end I started exploring high quality/value entry level gear. I have a dealer friend so I would visit the store every so often - not too often because I was getting depressed that i couldn't replace my system - kind of embarrassed to since I was such a high roller earlier. However, I kept dreaming and planning.
In the mean time months went by. I got to visit a friend whose has a state of the art system but he had put together a really nice entry level system for a friend which we listened to as well. This entry level system was remarkably good for the amount of money that went into it and was almost as enjoyable as his big bucks set up. It turned out that it was a lot easier to manage and the simplicity itself was alluring.
Understand that the development of this system took place over an extended period of time where personal preferences were considered. He read and talked with people online and talked with manufacturers etc. Now, I would bet that any audiophile who has not lost his/her love for music would be pleased with this modest system (the most expensive item probably cost him $500 or around there). The system is not only nice to hear but is nice to look at.
He got so much satisfaction out of building this system and every time we listened to it we were both amazed at how much you could get with so little. His system, my system had become burdens but now this system was fun. Why, how could we enjoy this simplified system?
Now back to my story. Because this process took me so long and I had nothing at home to listen to, my perspective changed. More and more things began to sound good. Stuff I couldn't have lived with in the past, because of my prejudice, began to sound like quality audio. I began to appreciate just how far entry-level gear has come and just how much value can be had if you shop wisely.
The whole process of study, research, waiting, searching for the best deals on the best value products became a fun pursuit. Mixing that with my personal preferences and with my budget (a novel guiding principle) opened up a whole new world. I went so fast from starting the hobby up to the top (so to speak) I didn’t get the pleasure of the journey.
My audio bud, mentioned above, and I talked a lot about why we did the hobby and how to enjoy the equipment side without losing our first love which, of course, was music. Were you ever willing to put 2k-6k on a credit card so you could get that must have piece of equipment? But, at the same time you would never even consider spending 3k on music all at once, yet music is supposed to be the main reason for the hobby. Notice I say the “main” reason. I say this because I also think a legitimate part of the hobby, or perhaps a hobby within a hobby, is the appreciation for the equipment. The equipment in many respects is like art. I think most people developing it are artists … engineer artists. The equipment can be physically beautiful in its’ understated elegance or its cutting edge design. Simplicity, complexity, and beauty both inside and out. There are the design philosophies, the cutting edge engineering ideas, the customization, and so forth. There is so much to appreciate that even if you weren’t in love with music you could be in love with the designs…much like a car collector and still be ok.
However, I feel we can have the best of both worlds but it takes finding control and balance. You apparently feel out of control and you want to rein things in and find your balance. Consider going without anything for 4, 5, 6+ months and see how things change. Give yourself time to reflect, plan, and gain balance and then start off with a plan and slowly, enjoyably, start to build your dream system at whatever level leaves your conscience free (this is different for everyone). Think of all the elements you want in this system, speakers, front end(s), amplification, wiring, racking, power control, room treatment, and of course music (yes, plan your music, maybe even start to collect it and play it in the car, on the boombox, or on your PC, this will all help you appreciate what you eventually get). The whole thing can be an exciting adventure. Tweaks, cabling, and the like can become the icing on your special cake.
Anyway, even if you don’t rid yourself of everything, separate yourself and rediscover why you are in the hobby to begin with and find out what you want out of it going forward and then make a plan. Have fun, your journey is just beginning.
cd
At the time I intended to get a system back but one that was less demanding. I going to tell you what happened but I want to say I didn't do it on purpose but I am glad it happened.
After selling all my stuff off, one thing led to another and I couldn't replace anything for a time. I was worried for a while if I would ever get back into the hobby. However I get numerous magazines and spend too much time on the web (on Audiogon mostly) so I kept my hands in things but didn't buy. As time went on I got more anxious about getting something and when it became apparent I could start as far up the chain as I wanted, I slowly became convinced that some well thought out inexpensive system was better than nothing.
To this end I started exploring high quality/value entry level gear. I have a dealer friend so I would visit the store every so often - not too often because I was getting depressed that i couldn't replace my system - kind of embarrassed to since I was such a high roller earlier. However, I kept dreaming and planning.
In the mean time months went by. I got to visit a friend whose has a state of the art system but he had put together a really nice entry level system for a friend which we listened to as well. This entry level system was remarkably good for the amount of money that went into it and was almost as enjoyable as his big bucks set up. It turned out that it was a lot easier to manage and the simplicity itself was alluring.
Understand that the development of this system took place over an extended period of time where personal preferences were considered. He read and talked with people online and talked with manufacturers etc. Now, I would bet that any audiophile who has not lost his/her love for music would be pleased with this modest system (the most expensive item probably cost him $500 or around there). The system is not only nice to hear but is nice to look at.
He got so much satisfaction out of building this system and every time we listened to it we were both amazed at how much you could get with so little. His system, my system had become burdens but now this system was fun. Why, how could we enjoy this simplified system?
Now back to my story. Because this process took me so long and I had nothing at home to listen to, my perspective changed. More and more things began to sound good. Stuff I couldn't have lived with in the past, because of my prejudice, began to sound like quality audio. I began to appreciate just how far entry-level gear has come and just how much value can be had if you shop wisely.
The whole process of study, research, waiting, searching for the best deals on the best value products became a fun pursuit. Mixing that with my personal preferences and with my budget (a novel guiding principle) opened up a whole new world. I went so fast from starting the hobby up to the top (so to speak) I didn’t get the pleasure of the journey.
My audio bud, mentioned above, and I talked a lot about why we did the hobby and how to enjoy the equipment side without losing our first love which, of course, was music. Were you ever willing to put 2k-6k on a credit card so you could get that must have piece of equipment? But, at the same time you would never even consider spending 3k on music all at once, yet music is supposed to be the main reason for the hobby. Notice I say the “main” reason. I say this because I also think a legitimate part of the hobby, or perhaps a hobby within a hobby, is the appreciation for the equipment. The equipment in many respects is like art. I think most people developing it are artists … engineer artists. The equipment can be physically beautiful in its’ understated elegance or its cutting edge design. Simplicity, complexity, and beauty both inside and out. There are the design philosophies, the cutting edge engineering ideas, the customization, and so forth. There is so much to appreciate that even if you weren’t in love with music you could be in love with the designs…much like a car collector and still be ok.
However, I feel we can have the best of both worlds but it takes finding control and balance. You apparently feel out of control and you want to rein things in and find your balance. Consider going without anything for 4, 5, 6+ months and see how things change. Give yourself time to reflect, plan, and gain balance and then start off with a plan and slowly, enjoyably, start to build your dream system at whatever level leaves your conscience free (this is different for everyone). Think of all the elements you want in this system, speakers, front end(s), amplification, wiring, racking, power control, room treatment, and of course music (yes, plan your music, maybe even start to collect it and play it in the car, on the boombox, or on your PC, this will all help you appreciate what you eventually get). The whole thing can be an exciting adventure. Tweaks, cabling, and the like can become the icing on your special cake.
Anyway, even if you don’t rid yourself of everything, separate yourself and rediscover why you are in the hobby to begin with and find out what you want out of it going forward and then make a plan. Have fun, your journey is just beginning.
cd