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How often to Audiophiles upgrade their equipment?

I am eternally confused as to how and when I should spend my money. I started into this hobby a little more seriously about 3 years ago and have the bug in full now. I do very much enjoy listening to music. However, there is always confustion on how to spend my money. I am not being very clear. Let me start again.

Currently I have a home theater setup in the family room with a Rotel RSX-972 reciever, B&W 603S3 mains, LCR600 CC, ASW1000 SW, 602S2 surrounds, Sony 999ES DVD/SACD and Sony KP51WS500 TV. I have started a second budget system in the main living room for music only and it has Monitor Audio Bronze B2 speakers, Rotel 1060 Amp, and Rotel 961 CD player.

I am generally quite happy with this setup and enjoy them very much. But off course I am always thinking what can I do better and if I should at all. Having a young family, I doubt I will ever buy some of the very high end euipment or if I would want to. But I have an opportunity to uprgade my speakers now with a very small loss. I was thinking of the 604S3, but having looked at them, they are just too big and frightened me off. The next step up to the B&W CDM series is quite a bit more. But to go to that line, I should probably also upgrade my amplification first.

I guess what I am getting at is, how long do "real" audiophiles stay happy with their equipment and when do they decide it is time to upgrade. For example, I was thinking of always sticking with a budget, and stick with my equipment for say 5 years (unless their is something terribly wrong) and then get new equipment/newer models different brands but using the same amount of money as in the original budget five years earlier.

If this question makes any sense, please relate your thoughts and experiences.
schugh
slappy
903 posts
 
Ever since i had gotten out of the military, i would upgrade whenever it made sence economically.
Several times i had a chance to upgrade in the past 2 years and i diddnt because i had other priorities, Before that i would Make 1-2 major purchases in my stereo over the course of the year.

No all i have is radioshack speakers, a decent preamp, and a denon amplifier that keeps producing occasional static when everything else is off, i keep expecting it to explode, so right now i really really have an upgrade bug.

Once i get myself a decent rig i will probably go another year before any new purchases.

First i need new speakers, amp, pre, etc. probably gonna build it myself. Tube stuff most likely.

Maybe a year after that i will look into getting a turntable some some blues on vinyl.
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satch
329 posts
 
When I started, I would buy something, and start saving to upgrade the next component. Now my last buy is a DVD-player, no upgrade, but something 'new'. Strange thing is, I just don't feel the need to buy better and better. Maybe that means my system is good enough for me? Every now and then I get the urge to buy new stuff, but then I think of the money I could also use for other nice things. So for me, I suppose I can say that after some 22 years my search for the holy grail is over (I haven't found it though!!!!!). Now I got to be honest: there is one thing I just keep on buying, and it's that strange, non-technical stuff called music..... You could try that as well!
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
I usually do one major upgrade a year around my birthday which is coming in about a month (lucky me). What I upgrade really depends on what I want to improve. This year I am going to upgrade two items:

I have a number of edge-warped records that are real treasure to me. I have tried all ways and means to flatten them without much success. So I have just ordered a ring clamp and a VPI HR-X platter upgrade for my Aries. The ring clamp is really all I need but it won’t work with the Aries platter (too small) so I am getting both. They should be arriving in about a week.

I am also looking into getting a better phono amp. I am using a Krell KPE standard now. It is a very good all-around performer – quiet, dynamic, good bass, easy to use; but it lacks the kind of emotional touch that I used to experience from an AR SP-6A. There are so many choices that I am considering: Hagerman Trumpet, Acoustech PH.D, a used Manlay Steelhead, etc; and I have no way to audition most of them so the final decision won’t be easy.
aceto
273 posts
 
I hear no reason to upgrade. Urge is the curse. Spit in its eye. If you cannot articulate your goal, as Thomas Aquinas taught us, you do not know what it is. Breathe andwait for it to become a well formed goal. Meantime be in your family and let the music flow
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