2. misc-audio
  3. 1111517570

Burned out Audiophile - Trying to Find some Zen

Hello,

Wanted to know if others out there have felt the same way.

I think I am burned out of looking for the next best or just changing gear. I have decided, it really is like chasing a rainbow. I believe, I will not get much greater joy even if I continue to upgrade (now stand around 15K worth of gear) Sure, to get new gear is fun when you first get it, but them, as always, in a couple of months, the longing for change comes back. For those who have lots of money to continue the ongoing chase of sonic narvana - they can afford the chase. For me, maybe there are other things to pursue instead of a pair of speaker or DAC. I still listen and enjoy music, but I may have come to the end of my road as a restless searcher for sonic change/perfection.

Anyone else out there have successfully jumped off the buy and sell cycle? What have you done with yourself since? Have you felt the audiophile id calling for you again?

Just some passing thoughts- thanks
Rich
rich3549

Showing 1 response by cdc

cdc
1,905 posts
 
I agree with comments about MUSICAL JOY. If you can find a musical lover's system you will probably better happier than with a super analytical system which reveals faults in the system, recording, etc.
The best advice I have gotten so far has hearing ability in 5 steps:
1) Listens for bass.
2) Listens for tonality - bright, warm, etc.
3) Listens for detail, soundstaging, and all the typical stuff in audio mags. IMHO the road to perpetual unhapiness.
4) Listens for PRAT.
5) Listens for music. The opposite of "technically perfect / musically dead" where ALL you hear is the system. As a generalization, studio monitors which tear the music apart so recording engineers can mix tracks or whatever.

Personally, I am getting into DIY 1) for the sake of learning and 2) because I can tweak the sound the way I want without having to what for Antony Michaelson's latest brain fart. Reading Stereophile is fun because I can learn how companies design their stuff and why.
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