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. :-)
@tomic601 I go to the track with one of my best friends (’67 Mustang, 645hp at rear, he does all the work on it) and his wife. His wife is one of my wife's best friends and they hang out all weekend in the tent and bring good food and drink.
I think my wife would be okay with modest racing expenses. Even I would draw the line at the expense required to be a front runner in any late model class. But to me its more about the inspections, log books, impounds and such. Not to mention we’ve witnessed some very contentious red faced confrontations on a number of occasions and that’s not something my buddy or I need on a weekend at the track.
Anyway, there is a part of me that really wants to learn racecraft. But, I’m too old and have too much else to do.
And to steer back on topic, I’m fortunate that my audio system was free. Even though my wife doesn’t blink at $500 brake pads and $1000 tires every 5-6 events she simply does not get this audio stuff.
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...
@tomic601 I use the Raspberry Pi only as a streamer. I know Paul Winter, he is amazing! Thanks for the heads-up, will definitely listen! Have a musical weekend ;-)
ami, Congrats on your enlightenment. I guess I'm midway between the average crazy audiophile and you at this point, which feels like a good balance to me. I do have a question though... Your original post is well written except for the use of "no more" twice instead of any more. Why?
@roxy54 I can't speak for Ami but in the original post "No more" was used as a stand alone sentence, which I think is appropriate, as in "I used to do all this stuff. No more." As in "not any more" or to put a literary spin on it "nevermore".
Otherwise saying "I don't do that no more" instead of "I don't do that anymore" is improper English but a is common colloquialism. So it could be a regional thing or maybe English isn't a first language for Ami. You never know.
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