I stopped calling it "upgrade" years ago. It's just changing and tweaking in search of specific details. Sometimes I realize I just downgraded in nearly every sense and I have to start from scratch.
The argument against upgrading
I’ve always assumed upgrading hifi can be worthwhile provided there is some audible improvement in sound quality. Maybe, this assumption should be challenged.
Let’s suppose I make some change to my system. I make a meaningful comparison that proves it sounds better in some way.
Before making the change, I was already able to get into and enjoy certain recordings. Surely, I can’t get into these recordings any more than that. It’s an either or thing not a matter of degree.
So what does the upgrade actually do for me in practice? I fear that more often than not it may be absolutely nothing.
I am not arguing that there is no better. Just that incrementally better may not necessarily always translate into more musical enjoyment.
I suppose this all begs the question what I actually mean by better.
What’s your view on the benefits of upgrading? How can we reliably assess whether it is effective?
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Not unusual for upgrades to end up being "lateral moves" as discussed by @oddiofyl. It can be frustrating to keep trying new stuff and not hear the sound you imagine you should be hearing. You end up hoping the "grass is greener" as posted by @kennyc. The more you upgrade, the harder it is to find something better and not simply different, IME. It is like stepping half the distance to the wall, the closer you get, the smaller the steps. I used to sell one component to fund the "upgraded" component but more recently have been fortunate to be able to purchase the upgraded component first, and compare with whatever I have currently, and only after a direct comparison decide whether the new component is a worthwhile upgrade. When comparing equipment, the level-matching discussed by @tomic601, is hugely important. Also, I recently found the importance of making comparisons over as short a time window as possible. By setting things up to compare two DACs on-the-fly, with the push of one button on my remote, I determined the sonic differences were not as pronounced as I had formerly believed. You may find that the longer the time period between hearing two different components, the greater the likelihood that your predisposed biases will play a larger role in what you believe you are hearing. As a result, my upgrade comparison process includes:
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It would be a lot easier if one only had to account for the sound of whichever new component is being added. However, no component operates in isolation. No doubt more seasoned audiophiles will experience less of this, but speaking for myself, I never know quite what to expect when introducing something new to my system. I read reviews to garner general impressions but over time I’ve learned not to get my hopes up prematurely. As far as lateral moves and "improvement" goes, from my perspective, it depends upon what is gained and what may be lost. I don’t prioritize every aspect of the sonic presentation equally so I’m willing to give up something I prize less for more of something I prize more and I have no problem calling this sort of trade-off a "win". However, I understand this approach may not satisfy others
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I have always offered this advice - only you know what you like and if you like your system the way it is then listen to more music. We are manufacturers and we often tell customers that if they don't hear a big improvement in the first 30 seconds then simply sent the unit back to us. We also do upgrades and modifications which to our ears can make a dramatic sound improvement without spending mega dollars on a high end components in direct comparison. What makes one amplifier sound better than another one. Usually not the parts inside if at all and not the price. Only you can be the judge of a system upgrade. But you also need to know what makes sound better in the design of a product and how that design is implemented. In general, most people have no idea why something sounds better or different. I love it when someone says built like a tank but they have never built anything in their lives. Happy Listening.
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