I got rid of my system because the bright sound was damaging my hearing. I could hear to 20k before but now 16-18k. Brightness aside, it did not sound right to my ears.I got a simple system to "get by" with and have yet to find the perfect sound.
Have you heard people rave about headphones and how no stereo sounds as good? That's my system. Finalizing an upgrade over my current system, but basically aim the single driver speaker at your ears and viola, headphones PLUS soundstaging (in spades). This system excels with CD's unlike most current hi-end systems which over-resolve necessitating vinyl for acceptable sound. |
Thanks for all the interesting posts....it is definitely different for everyone. Other pursuits in life, such as family, career, mortgage, and the list goes on and on, can prevent one in finding the elusive audio bliss. However, there is also the proverbial saying that goes: wanting what you have, not having what you want....happy listening folks..... |
To me it's simple. When I sit down and pop in a CD with a nice glass of whisky, do I forget where I am/lose myself in the music? If so, I'm done. You can always tweak a little here and there with room treatments and isolation but nothing in the system itself (speakers, pre, CDP, amp and cables) should be changed at that point and going forward.
imo, upgrading when you've reached the aforementioned point is simply an attempt to compensate for needs not satisfied in other parts of your life (for me, I tend to go shopping for tech stuff when I feel bad and I've learned to limit that a lot as it got me into more trouble).
Perfection on earth doesn't exist, happiness is all we can really hope for. Searching for perfection is a fruitless pursuit in audio or elsewhere.
Caveat: I don't consider myself an audiophile, just someone who loves of music. |
upgrading need not be an addiction. it is possible that some of us are searching for a "sound" which we have not found. most commercially available components provide an unrealistic presentation of timbre. thus,it takes time, effort and money to find components which give the aural cues of real instruments. |
Every living situation has either been an apt or townhome. So that means lean on the bass. I haven't been bit by the upgrade bug since I paired my JM Labs 907 BE with my Simaudio I5. I liked it even better with the Rogue Magnum Tempest.
Now with road biking as a new hobby, I can't afford both. The damn roof racks are as expensive as a good used CDP on audiogon. *sigh* |
Well, I echo most if not all the sentiments here. Although I am still thinking about what Chazzbo is saying...yes, thats okay.Intersting perspective Chazz..!Big$$ jobs that have gone away, kids, ect...upgraditis that only seems to temporarily satsify, yet not fufill the quest. I think Mingles gets it perfectly. Im now back to a simple, yet very satisfying set up after years of changes that have drained my wallet and cost me in part a marriage. But, hey... just look at all my feedback!!! what a "reward"..not that its not nice to have. At least I can be trusted I suppose..but, If I had the chance to do it all over knowing what I know now..I'd have bought my Quads first and never have sold my old CAL Icon cd player and save much time,$$$, and might even have prevented that hernia and neck disc fusion too! ;-)...Nice post. something to think about. |
The constant need to upgrade doesn't seem rooted in sound quality. If you've been in this hobby for a couple of years, I bet your system is already very good. For many of us, upgrading seems like an addiction driven by perfectionism. Aren't we all hunting for that elusive component that brings our system to the next level? I wish I could say I see the light at the end of the tunnel... but I don't. If I spent as much time reading good books as I did scouring the web for audio equipment, I'm sure I'd feel more grounded. I'm looking forward to that day. |
A modest proposal
No guts no glory.Kid needs new shoes?Viet Cong made do with rope and treads of old tires.-and they won!Maybe you might not want to skip things like early dyptheriaeria,measles,and tetanus shots since it cost more in the long run but if you get special buit room
and Wavac amps your kids can go to Goodwill for clothes and learn about class consciousness the hard way and how your grandfather had it during the depressinon.But Tell them Ayn Rand/Adam Smith not Marx had the solution you can avoid latter therapy.Right when they pull themselves up by the bootstraps.It'll be Good for them and you get cables you want too.
Appologies to Johnathan Swift
Chazz |
Agreed. Losing big money jobs will change your perspective. It's awesome growing up. |
Well, I went broke...that helped a lot.
Dave |
Lack of money, a mortgage, car payments, children etc. all do a pretty good job of ending or idefinitely postponing people's audio journeys. You learn to be happy with what you can realistically or responsibly afford. |
