I decluttered the signal path. Tube amp with a very simple signal path. No signal processing, no preamp, simple, high quality interconnects and cables. Volume control via transformer.
Jerry
Audiophiles and De-cluttering -- your journey toward both psychic and sonic improvement
Every audiophile knows that we want more signal and less noise. We seek it in our systems and our rooms. We want the power, elegance, and simplicity needed to produce immersive listening.
I'm now at the point where I want less -- fewer options, less clutter, more openness. And that means re-considering assumptions about audio.
For me, this is going to start with power cords. I simply don't hear much difference from the special cords I got and they're awkward to use. I'm thinking of beginning my de-cluttering path with them. Next, the back up equipment -- older DAC's, extra speaker cables, etc. And, most controversially, I expect to get rid of my home theater speakers in lieu of a high-performance soundbar.
Anyway, those are just my ideas.
What have YOU done to de-clutter your audio life?
What did you give up and how did it help or hurt your pursuit of audio satisfaction?
Did peace of mind make listening more enjoyable?
For what it's worth, here's are some excerpts from a recent article on decluttering from the NYT. I found it helpful.
Ms. Yamashita and Ms. Kondo approach decluttering in different ways. In Ms. Kondo’s books and Netflix series, she offers easy-to-follow techniques for organizing, wrapped in her signature cheer and positivity. Keep items that make you happy and thank those that do not before tossing them away, she instructs.
Ms. Yamashita is more abstract, philosophical and probing — less approachable, converts of the Marie Kondo school argue. When sorting through what to keep or toss away, Ms. Yamashita pushes her clients to think about why they are attached to certain items, and to examine what overabundance and obsession do to their emotional states.
“For me, danshari is not about tidying up, organizing or tossing away things that don’t spark joy,” Ms. Yamashita said, slurping soba noodles out of sesame broth at a restaurant in Tokyo. “It is about returning people to a state in which parting with things feels natural.”
“When people’s homes and minds get clogged up with too many things, they begin to fester,” she continued. “It’s like how you eat and then release — it is a normal part of our existence.”
“Danshari is about creating an exit and getting that flow back,” she added.
From a session with a client:
“You’re noticing there are too many things out in the open, but we need to probe deeper into the fact that you have so much stuff,” Ms. Yamashita said midway through their cleaning.
“I think my mind is cluttered,” Ms. Kojima replied, from work and elsewhere. “I have so many things constantly being jammed into my head,” she said.
Ms. Yamashita pressed: “Obviously, no one can see inside your head, but it’s visible, in this space.” She then gestured at the living room. “Can you see how the challenges you’re dealing with in your head are physically manifested here?” she asked.
“I think the problem is that I can’t even recognize when there’s too much,” Ms. Kojima said.
SOURCE: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/business/hideko-yamashita-decluttering-danshari.html
22 responses Add your response
I retired about five years ago and immediately began simplification and decluttering. I have gone through and gotten rid of an old turntable, bass equalizer, receiver, speaker cables, interconnects. Took boxes and boxes of excess clothing, kitchen utensils that I never used. Gave away an old bicycle. I removed the two of the three 32" monitors and huge tower PC in my office and switched to Apple... maintenance went down, simplicity up and integration between all my iPads, iPhone and MacBook is now flawless. Most lights controlled by Alexa. Replaced garage door with iPhone controlled doors. My heating and cooling is controlled by my phone as is my security system. I have five Roomba that clean the house automatically. I hired a lawn guy to maintain the yard and roof. Then I doubled the investment in each component of my stereo system (including speakers and got rid of my subwoofers), upgraded my interconnects, power cords, and speaker wires to Transparent Generation 6 and finally added the second direct line and swapped for audiophile grade outlets. Now when I sit down to listen... I am each time swept away by the incredible music. My system represents one of lifetime achievements. In our bedroom I swapped out the top of the line 14 year old sound bar for best today, the Sennheiser Ambeo. What an improvement! My home theater will get upgraded if anything fails. So, yeah. But the sound quality of my audio system(s) always go up. |
When I first got serious in early 2000s I adhered to the theory about simplifying the signal path. I was running push/pull and instead went SET. I now have an amp with Kohzmo attenuator, a switch box for my two sources, a phono stage, SUT. I DIY my ICs so they are minimum length, as I did my speaker cables. |
“For me, this is going to start with power cords. I simply don’t hear much difference from the special cords I got and they’re awkward to use. I’m thinking of beginning my de-cluttering path with them.” @hilde45 What is a de-clutter power cord looks like? “I expect to get rid of my home theater speakers in lieu of a high-performance soundbar.” I switched to SONOS surround bar + Sub 15 years ago, never regretted my decision to this day! |
My main methods of decluttering: 1. If it isn't plugged in and doing something, sell it, pass it to a family member, donate it. 2. I have finite space to store LP's and listen to my turntable about two hours a month. I find out of necessity that I pretty much have to sell a couple of LP's to make space for new. I have not missed one LP I have sold for the ones I'm keeping forever.
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It looks like not having more power cords than components with which to use them. I like the ideas here! I'm also thinking of going from 5.1 to 2.1 for HT. As with @ghdprentice I want to get rid of lots of stuff I'm not using while keeping the level of the audio going up. That's why this is not a thread about "simplifying the signal path." It's much more pedestrian than that. It's about getting rid of stuff not currently in the system but in a drawer or closet. Like extra power cables. |
I realized keeping back-up stuff was a mistake. I sold or listed it. If something fails, I'll buy something then. Then, the stuff I liked but couldn't part with (a good turntable or tonearm, a set of speakers, a phono amp I liked but wasn't using), all things I might swap in for fun--and do sometimes--I put in a large steel cabinet with doors. 5' wide, 8' high, 2' deep. As I filled it, I wound up getting rid of even more stuff. Power cables I make to size. Speaker cables as well. So a roll of each is in the cabinet. The few extra interconnects are in there too. As well as a little cabinet in the big one for small parts. Less clutter, even of other stuff in the listening spaces so sight lines are clear of notebooks or coffee cups or sweatshirts thrown over chairs, make it all seem better. |
@hilde45 I totally support going from 5.1 to 2.1 for home theater. Less processing = cleaner sound. A pair of quality speakers instead of 5 lessor ones. |
+1, @carlsbad2 I guess, it comes down to each person’s priorities. It’s surprising to see some people believe that downgrading from a 5.1 setup to 2.1 improves two-channel audio performance. Home theater (HT) and two-channel systems serve different purposes and should ideally remain separate. Reducing a 5.1 system to 2.1 sacrifices a lot of what makes HT immersive—like surround effects and spatial dynamics. |
@lalitk - The last great music and HT preamp I owned was the Theta Casanova. The older generation Anthem’s were not terrible. I _am_ going to simplify but I must choose within my budget and features. I need a long term loan of a Theta or Datasat unit. :D Part of my simplification is going to fully active, custom made speakers for my 3 mains. This should greatly reduce the amplifier and cable sprawl. Hopefully I can trade my integrated for a decent HT processor. I was thinking that I could trade my Luxman integrated for a Luxman preamp but I just saw their retail prices!! Ouch. No, I can't do that. From a budget, affordability and decluttering perspective I think I may be forced to go with something like an advanced Marantz processor + active fronts. With Roon support I get rid of my integrated, DAC, streamer all at once, but must add an amp for surrounds. |
My de-cluttering journey: 1. Sold all analog gear 2. Upgraded digital - went with a nice streamer and outboard DAC; sold network filter, removed switch and FMC modules 3. Sold mono block amps and a two chassis preamp 4. Bought a nice integrated - less boxes, less cables 5. Sold a component rack and got a few amp stands to put the components on to lower the skyline between the speakers Next step - need to get rid of vinyl records that don’t represent any sentimental or collectible value; |
@erik_squires I think you were on sabatical from the forum when I got my Marantz cinema 40. I didn't get to properly thank you for the recommendation. I know it isn't as high end as my 2 channel system but I find it an excellent and very easy to use, not to mention great soundsing, HT option. thank you. |
@carlsbad2 So glad to know I could steer someone in a good direction! You are most welcome |
@carlsbad2 None of my 5.1 components are in the playback chain when I do two channel listening. They have zero impact on sound quality. It does take up some space, but I bought a rack large enough to hold everything. Movies would not be the same in 2.1, imo. |
Yeah, like one that doesn’t suck, is even decent. The performance is measured by the job it has to do. TV, Movies. So, "high performance" would be doing those things well.
They are two systems for me. Sorry, that was not clear.
My 2.1 set up is pretty immersive. But I am different than a lot of folks in this regard. If I want immersion and all that feely stuff, I go to the movies. At home, it’s immersive enough for me with a large screen and good sound. I’m more interested in story, dialogue, characters. Dune was great on my 2.1. Nice and loud, fast action with left-right movement quite clear. I don’t need something behind me to have a sufficient effect. But that’s me. Others need to feel their skin tingle. That’s cool. |