Desire is a tricky thought to master. Manufacturers work hard to keep us from
controlling ours. For the most part, they succeed and we all succumb in some area of life.
I have a Naim Uniti Atom, Totem Signature Ones, my original Thorens from 30 years ago and a Parasound Halo Jc Jr phonostage. Some nice Transparent cables. It all sounds really good. Musical and eminently fun. Do you know when it doesn’t? When I go and listen to a 70,000 system at my favorite dealer. But you know what I do with the 60k difference? I invest it and average a minimum of 12% per annum. In 18 years when I retire, that will be at least 480k. So, does that 70k system sound like it is worth a half a million dollars? Not to my ears.
And here’s another thing. My brain can’t readily hold on to the difference of a 10k equipment bump up after a short period of time. Like doing A/B switching. The brain adjusts.
Moreover, if I want to hear really good music? I hang and sing with my musician friends. I don’t care what sound system you have, my friend’s Steinway will still sound better. It’s real music, not reproduced music, and it’s made with friends, so I am inside the experience.
My relatively modest system just works and is compact. And the clean simplicity and ease of use of everything I own reduces my stress level. Lower cortisol? I might just live longer.
So figure out what your values are, and make a decision on your stereo based on the fullness of your life and the goals you pursue. If you’ve done that successfully, the question is no longer about something as inane as integrateds vs separates. It’s about how well you are living and enjoying your life.
controlling ours. For the most part, they succeed and we all succumb in some area of life.
I have a Naim Uniti Atom, Totem Signature Ones, my original Thorens from 30 years ago and a Parasound Halo Jc Jr phonostage. Some nice Transparent cables. It all sounds really good. Musical and eminently fun. Do you know when it doesn’t? When I go and listen to a 70,000 system at my favorite dealer. But you know what I do with the 60k difference? I invest it and average a minimum of 12% per annum. In 18 years when I retire, that will be at least 480k. So, does that 70k system sound like it is worth a half a million dollars? Not to my ears.
And here’s another thing. My brain can’t readily hold on to the difference of a 10k equipment bump up after a short period of time. Like doing A/B switching. The brain adjusts.
Moreover, if I want to hear really good music? I hang and sing with my musician friends. I don’t care what sound system you have, my friend’s Steinway will still sound better. It’s real music, not reproduced music, and it’s made with friends, so I am inside the experience.
My relatively modest system just works and is compact. And the clean simplicity and ease of use of everything I own reduces my stress level. Lower cortisol? I might just live longer.
So figure out what your values are, and make a decision on your stereo based on the fullness of your life and the goals you pursue. If you’ve done that successfully, the question is no longer about something as inane as integrateds vs separates. It’s about how well you are living and enjoying your life.