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?
I actually did not understand the point of your OP. Why would you stop “getting into” certain songs if you upgrade?
I listen to almost exclusively to classical music. I have appreciated many works and composers in a much greater sense as I have upgraded and been able to hear everything that they are doing. It’s like a picture suddenly snapping into focus |
Upgrading is necessary... Once this is said... It is useless like a chicken walking without head if we dont know how, and dont learn how, to optimize what we already have at some point... There is a point also where it is wise to stop upgrading because we have learned how to optimize what we have and reach minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold. (m.a.s.t) ... Ecstasy for music begins with m.a.s.t.
«I dont need better sound now,i need more music albums»-- Anonymus ex-audiophile |
@mahgister Optimise, Optimise, Optimise. 👍👍👍 l think l just said the same thing on the thread…. “Why do expensive amplifiers produce a better soundstage?” I may not agree with the statement above on my comments…. But more like… It’s not what you got, but how you use it. |
@mahler123 Your second paragraph sums it up perfectly for me. Listening to (I wish there were a better term) "classical" music there are usually many extant recordings of a work - e.g. on Presto there are over 160 recordings of Mahler's 2nd symphony, with, e.g. 3 recordings with Bernstein alone - though I think he actually recorded it 5 times. With better sound reproduction you can hear the performance not just the music. Since I retired 11 years ago, reducing my homes from 2 to 1 I have changed my system substantially. When I retired my NYC system was Theta transport, Sonic Frontiers DAC, Audible Illusions pre, VAC 30/30 amp, Audio Physic Virgo II speakers. In VT it was Scoutmaster with Koetsu Black, Esoteric X-03 SE, CAT SL III, VAC 70/70 and Virgo III speakers. When I retired the VT system moved to the new house and much of the NY system was sold - or given to my daughter. Since then the upgrades have been total, except for the speaker cables and the power distribution unit and the MIT power leads. Each upgrade has dug deeper into the recordings but retained the musicality, the SL III replaced by a Sutherland Duo and Benchmark LA4. The speakers replaced by Atria II. The X-03 became the K-01 XS and now the K-01XD SE. Streaming is now the Eversolo T8, having gone through a Node and an entry level Aurender. Then a Vinyl upgrade, Koetsu Black -> Koetsu Rosewood Signature - WOW. And then the Duo to Dos Locos - left me speechless - Vinyl went from very good to totally outstanding. If anyone has the budget and a suitable cartridge that phono stage MUST be heard. Cables are now Cardas Clear Reflection with a Transparent Super Phono cable. I am still in search of the perfect amplifier, I have the Pass Labs XA-25 - excellent but perhaps missing a bit of soul. The upgraded Elekit TU-8900 is gorgeous (NOS Brimar 12AU7 equivalents and WE 300B or RCA Black Plate 2A3s) but misses what I can only describe as "heft" on large orchestral works, though superb on A Capella liturgical stuff, and a couple of home-brew attempts that were pretty good but not an upgrade. I am contemplating something from Conrad-Johnson, but I am limited in what I can lift! That would probably be it. I still have the VAC 30/30 but it makes an awful noise and I cannot find anyone to fix it. My apologies for rambling on but it has been fun and the upgrade journey has increased my appreciation of the musical performances.
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Making a change to tweak the sound is par for the course. What has changed that I think many still are not aware of is the tools like DSP available these days other than changing gear, which is still part of the equation when needed. DSP tools like those provided in an app like Roon for example provides incredible flexibility to tweak sound as needed or desired. It’s like seasoning the soup in order to make it just right. No need to change the basic ingredients that go into it if high quality and mixed just right to start with. Why rely on the hardware alone to make all the decisions about how things sound when you have the tools needed to tweak it just right as needed, once one gets up the learning curve of course. It’s a very worthwhile exercise for all I think. Plus if you don’t like the results it’s easily reversible with a touch of a button and you can start over again from scratch as much as needed for no additional cost. |
