For the past 30 years or so I've considered myself a die-hard audiophile. I've gone through similar phases and opinions like most of you probably have. I've bought and sold many dozens (if not hundreds) of high end components and cables. Audio research, Linn, audionote, ensemble, synergistic, Zu Audio, PS Audio, Yamamoto, modwright, REL, Klipsch, hafler, CJ, coincident, classe, anthem, oppo, MIT, and many other brands I don't even remember. I've auditioned hundreds more... I'm also an electronic technician so I had my share of experience with DIY. I've gone from tubes and vinyl to digital and SS, and back around. I've owned mini monitors and huge 6' Giants and everything in between. I've heard the most minute differences in sound quality between cables and footers. I've spent way too many dollars on fuses, tweaks and furniture. I read reviews, and swore by specific brands. I've put together systems which I was sure we're the best ever and defended my choices with a passion.
No more.
I'm sitting here right now in my (ex) music room, listening to a system that costs less than $350 total, and enjoying the music as I rarely did with my recent $30K one. Does it sound as good and realistic as the $30K one? No it doesn't. But it sounds damn good. It's musical, engaging, full bodied with a well established sound stage, good detail and tonality, well paced, and I'm having a blast!!! I just don't care no more for the minute differences in sound quality. There is no end to it.
I let go, and oh man it feels good to enjoy music without constantly analyzing and subconsciously looking for imperfection or thinking how much better it will sound with tweak X or cable Y or upgrade Z... This tiny $350 system delivers 80% of the sound quality of the $30K one, and honestly probably better than many $5K ones out there. I mean it... It doesn't make any sense no more!
I have no regrets ... I've had a lot of fun and I met amazing people that I wouldn't have had I not been an audiophile. I've experienced great uplifting monents and great disappointments. I've laughed and cried, was blown away and frustrated... It was a great ride.
I am leaving this hobby behind and not looking back... Damn it feels good. I'll keep enjoying great music and HiFi sound, and will appreciate high quality equipment, but I won't be obsessed with it no more. I still have a very nice system in my living room which is probably worth around $2K and will be more than I'll ever need going forward. This amazing little $350 system is going to my office where I spend most of my week days and I'm excited about it...
I have woken up from the audiophile dream, and what has been seen can't be unseen.
Goodbye and thanks for the fish :-)
PS: Since I know you are very curious, the $350 system consists of a Raspberry Pi as a streamer ($25) with an upgraded DAC ($60), an upgraded power supply ($50), a 20 watt Chinese digital power amplifier ($70), mini monitor speakers I bought as a kit ($100), DIY stands from leftover lumber ($20), and around $20 in cables... I intentionally omit brand names, this post is not about recommending any specific item. It's about what amazing value you can get for ridiculously cheap these days in general.
I promise each and every one of you that if you were sitting in my seat right now, and I would have told you that you are listening to a $5K system, you would not have doubted it for a second. You are probably thinking that I'm crazy, but I am not. I've already tried this trick on a few very experienced audiophile friends this past week. :-)
my parents ruined me young..one of my first memories at age 4 in 1965 was a big truck arriving from Music Unlimited in Cleveland - the unboxing of Dual, McIntosh and Bozak components. Being warned on threat of death to never touch....My parents had no carpet and as I recall a ratty old antique couch we were NEVER allowed to sit on....oh but money for the trumpet, accordian, piano, voice lessons, and the Hi-Fi......
as I write this I have Fleetwood Mac cranked up, we used to listen at insane levels when the parents not home..tubes in the Mc240 glowing blue w plasma.. I still have that amp...
and yes falcon so many of the best memories are on the cheap as it were...I have been blessed...
but as you delve into DIY, mod , rebuild and repair there are lots of ways to destroy gear..high voltages, ground loops, DC into speakers, electrostats panel arc without dust shields, etc...
some things like Apogee parts are more or less unobtainable.....
@n80 wonderful, they are not making new land in any significant volume soon anyway, and IF that comes to pass well then we all have serious problems...
scarcity is an important concept to economists, your slice of heaven is scarce and has few substitutes....just other ways to allocate resources. We all make choices, sounds like yours are hyper aligned with your passions.
a long time ago a Winchester sage of some note said to me
@desktop guy. set free the model 4, somebody out there needs them or the drivers, which are now unobtainable...just my two cents. good on you for seeking headphone nirvana, I surely enjoy the transparency of my STAX which i use in live recording
Ami, ignore spelling, grammar advice but do check out the band London Grammar, it is the internet after all....
i benefited greatly in life having rather extensive Kaizen schooling, including beatings, so my mindset is perfection should be sought but is rarelt obtainable...even a $200 M jet is designed to a price point and might not be perfect...YMMV
so yes, some of my high end toys are not messed with and others modified and thrashed to within inches of doom ( mine and the toy ) interesting why I view some differently.....will think on that...
i will most likely attend burningamp2019 in your neighborhood, buy you a cold one then ! hear your $300 marvel !!!!
IF. your Rasberry Pi can stream, KPBS here in San Diego has the Paul Winter Consort Solstice music event tonight at 10-Midnight. Music to feed the primal soul...
@n80 I need you on a conference call with spouse about my wildly optimistic racing costs!!! Ha all good ( fishing is almost worse ) sounds like you have enough hobbies/interests and found your sweet spots
”comparison is the root of all unhappiness “....
we are all so competive...some of us sit by the mixing board for a reason...
@n80. tell me your Miata is bone stock ? and yes you should drive even a lowly Boxster S ( I use that term with deep sarcasm ) Also, I speak from deep, deep experience Track days are not racing.....that is a unique financial sinkhole....
OK I get chasing the thrill of bang for buck, but we are trading obsessions, no ?
I sold $300 worth of power cords today @elizabeth. God I hope my brother in law loves them...ha
one thing I always try to keep in mind..am I acting in the service of music and my enjoyment of it ?
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