It’s the dopamine rush. Whether it be cars, guitars or stereos, as long as your body craves that ‘high’ from searching or purchasing you’ll most likely be ‘in it’. It starts with a love of audio, whether it be visual, sonic or a combination of both, but quickly can become a need. We should feel lucky as for some it’s heroin. 🙃
Have you reached your end point with this addictive hobby?
I wonder if out there somewhere there’s a support group called Audiophile Anonymous 😂 that addresses Audiophiles constant need for perfection. For my self I would probably benefit from a couple of these group sessions. Putting humor aside there’s some truth to this hobby being addictive and at some point there has to be an end point where you are there and the need to upgrade serves no useful purpose. I can’t say I’m 100% there yet, but something inside me tells me I’m getting close to hitting rock bottom and when I do maybe I’ll see the light, or maybe not 😂!
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I’m done too many other hobbies, Porsche’s, boating & offshore fishing. My fun money only goes so far. Last piece was an OPPO 105D used. You guys will probably laugh but I love my 7.2 M&K S150 speakers & subs. Powered by my 3 channel Parasound & 4 channel HK Citation amps. It’s a decent mid fi system that I’m content with. |
Having put together a very satisfying system over the past four years, I have only to add a better streamer to finish off my system. I believe I am at the point that even minor, incremental improvements could prove to be quite costly … the cost likely way out of proportion with improvement achieved. Given my point in life, almost 80, and my satisfaction with my present system, I foresee only minor improvements, such as better interconnects and perhaps room correction, maybe active and passive. |
Tough question. I recently purchased a Wiim music streamer and a Schiit Audio phono stage. Both together were about $ 800. Not a lot of money in this hobby. Both components work well. I believe I'm done with large ticket items, with the exception of cartridges. MC quality carts are expensive and don't last forever. I'm 70, retired, and living on a budget... |
I like tekton ulfberht?spelling.they are a bang for the buck the ceramic version takes a bit to break in.i have many speakers and they are amoung the top not price wise but value wise.i put a few watts to 1 kw through them. Sound great.there is a brittish high end company coping his desigh.mass is momentum x velocity and his circle array is lite and fast starts quick stops quick very responsive.should work great with ps audio 1200.enjoy the music. |
There was a thread not unlike this one just a few weeks ago. It inspired me to write an article on this very topic. If anyone would like to read it, you can find it here. |
I’ve read that this is a particular type of addiction. I’ll have to find the article. It has to do with perfectionism and trying to find something that is so elusive that the journey is the addiction. The article mentioned that the breakdown in gender is 75% male, 25% female, which accounts for the heavily skewed male presence in the industry. Always wondered, because there are just as many female artists in both rock and classical, and of course listeners,!so it never made sense to me before. |
There are those that continually buy…, it’s new it’s better, perhaps giving them a boasting platform. Many tweak the daylights out of a mid fi hoping to achieve high end. Then there’s a select few that have endless bank and nothing better to do. I’m with a group having several hobbies and found audio pleasure researching, building, restoring, older accredited high-end equipment that exceeds many a current product. It’s entertaining, economical, and delivers a profound boasting platform, damn good yesteryear can equate to excellent today. Many paths to entertaining music, cheers. |
@tony1954 +1 |
Not done yet. When I retire in 5 years, the system will have to shrink. An amp that has 2 huge heavy units, a sizable preamp, large dac, streamer and 2 big floor speakers will be too large for retirement home. I love it and it has taught me a lot about what I love and what I need a little more of. Future system will have 2 kick ass small speakers and 2 subs. Perhaps an integrated amp as well. But that’s down the line. Right now I’m loving what I have. |
It helps to have little money for this. Works as a sort of safeguard. Doesn't address the core of things, though. Personally, on average I spend about $1500 a year on equipment, including tubes. And I have maintained this figure for years. I have spend about $6.5k in the last two years, so..unless something breaks and can't be repaired there is nothing I can buy in the next 2.5-3 years. Not that I feel the need. There is a wish but there is no need. |
@ raysmtb1, I’ve been a friend of Bills since 1989, however current date is 9/29/97, so I understand 😎 . My opinion is this is a hobby , and we work at it, and we pay a price to do so. I’m getting too old to do some of my other activities like snow skiing and road cycling. Within this hobby I roll tubes, another path to obsessive behavior. I’ve learned to be AVERAGE at many things. I’m definitely cost driven with equipment and admire the great systems people have on this site. I’m currently bumping up my mid Fi system to a larger system. But it’s still mid Fi by the standards of my peers. But I’m good with that as I don’t need to feed my ego. For me “ Rule 62 “ is in play and you measure a man’s wealth by the quality of his relationships. My stereo is just a plus. I was the kid that started with building a crystal radio and then Dynaco stuff. Then I built a few speakers in High School and quickly realized I had a lot to learn. I’m blessed to have a house , a wife and great kids. I’ve finally become the man my dog always wanted me to be. Bless all of you and Happy Listening, Mike B. |
It's getting harder to let the chase get me excited anymore. I used to think with my next purchase I will finally be there, and I'll have what I have been looking for. I kind of think of it as Audio delusion: a false sense of being. In reality it's only a temporary state until my mind tells me I need something better! LOL |
here is a similar thread i started 2 weeks ago on What's Best Forum..... How do you know when you are done?
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the last person I would think is ever done is @mikelavigne :) |
The hard part is being satisfied with the sound you hear. Am I being entertained? The grass is always greener on the other side of the road is a real phenomenon. I am going to audition a new DAC in coming weeks. Truly going to have to be a major upgrade in sonics or it will go back. Actually coming to accept my system is pretty awesome for what I have.
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I know that my current system is capable of reproducing 98% of what my 61 year old ears (with tinnitus) are capable of hearing. Does that mean I’m done? For the moment, yes. But never say never. Though with the rapidly increasing prices, I find myself constantly asking “Is $xx,xxx really worth another .5% improvement?”. |
+1 @jimmyblues1959 My system is fairly mature after years of buying, enjoying, and then selling, to afford the next perceived step up the ladder. Now large purchases are probably in the rear view as retirement is approaching (though these darn cartridges believe they are large purchases 😬…) |
@drrsutliff Chasing gear has always been a large part of the Hi-End audio hobby. Why? IMHO, because it’s just an incredible amount of fun. There’s also the aesthetic component to this hobby which increases exponentially the further up the price ladder you go. A lot of Hi-End audio gear (Dan D’agostino Audio comes to mind here) is as much art as it is an electronic sound reproduction system. Dan’s gear, at least to my eyes, is absolutely gorgeous; and comes with a price tag to match. Does it sound that much better than a nice system that could be built for say $30,000? (not an inconsiderable sum to say the least). I think that’s a matter of subjective opinion. As I’ve gotten older, perhaps the greatest irony that I have noticed in this hobby, is how many enthusiasts, as they age, have more disposable income in which to spend on more expensive audio gear, while their hearing capacity diminishes to some degree each year. And since the primary reason for spending astrobucks on the best audio gear available is to be able to hear the most subtle differences in the music we listen to, I decided long ago to enjoy the gear I have, since I listen to the same music, whether it's through my audio system or a mega buck system that would require most people to take out a second mortgage on their home. Anyway, this is just my humble opinion and as such should be taken with a grain of salt. 👍
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The question on whether you have reached your endpoint has been asked and the observation that the hobby is an addictive journey of continual improvement without satisfaction has been stated in this forum many times using different words and phrases to mean the same. I have responded in general the same way each time. Yes, I have reached my endpoint. No, I do not believe I have been subject to the addiction of the desire for continual improvement. Over the past four years I undertook a project to update my complete system for retirement. The length of time was dictated by budgeting the spend. The system that was updated was a 1997 vintage system where I only updated the digital front end twice due to technology changes. I attribute my long term satisfaction with my systems to how I approach system upgrades. As a retired medical device regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and quality engineering executive, I view everything as a process. In approaching upgrades, I set a goal for the improvement in sound quality I wish to make using my perception of live acoustic music I developed from attending concerts. I then research trade journals to identify equipment that potentially will meet the goal. I then audition the equipment to validate the goal is reached. The process of setting goals and achieving those goals helps lead to long term satisfaction. This process is consistent with the psychology of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Two of the many causes of dissatisfaction are rumination, and hedonic adaptation. Rumination is the passive comparison of one’s current situation with some unachieved standard which can manifest in self-critical thoughts … there must be something better; fear of missing out (FOMO); I need the next best thing. Hedonistic adaptation is the the tendency to quickly return to a baseline level of satisfaction. The joy after making an upgrade fades and you return to dissatisfaction. By setting well defined goals for improvement and achieving those goals, I have not been subject to rumination and hedonistic adaptation. I am lucky that I feel I have established a system that is natural, and true to the music, that lets me focus on the musical composition and performance, not the system. I recommend developing your impression of how recorded music should sound by listening to as many live acoustic performances that you can and then approaching improvements by setting goals that will get you closer to the real thing. |
@jimmyblues1959 Totally agree. Based upon an assumption about your user name we could be of similar age. I went with the angularity of Gryphon amplifications visual lines to contrast the open curvy design of my Origin Live Sovereign turntable so I certainly do not separate the design intrigue from performance (I also agree about Dan’s designs). The music that has been with me my whole life (still have the first LP I bought with my lawn cutting job) still thrills me as I replay it and most of my outlay today is to continue expanding my collection. Digitally I have 7TB of selections on my NAS but my vinyl still has more draw for me when its time to really relax with my system. |
At this point in my life I can say that yes, I’m done upgrading and refining my rigs. Final addition was summer of 24. I’m in a happy place with both my stereo analog and digital surround set ups. Of course that does not mean there will not be occasional tweaks and adjustments of the existing pieces. Enjoy the music. |
I am definitely done (cooked to crackly crunch) having completed an upgrade in '24. No need to go any farther down this road, the system sounds fabulous. Any "upgrade" could easily be a downgrade. It is really nice and warm and cuddly to be comfortable in your own shoes. Getting to old for the motorcycles so more time will be spent driving the vettes for pleasure. One of the posts posits that if you're still reading this forum you ain't done yet. Let me say that I enjoy this forum and who here hasn't read a Playboy mag, maybe still do. Did you expect to find a piece that you just had to have, money be damned or was it just for reading pleasure? Regards, barts
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I started my latest system in 2013 - committing to tubes and all separate components. I just finished a major upgrade to it - speakers, isolators, rack, conditioner, duplex socket, power cords, & new transport (CD, SACD, Memory Stick). I like the way it sounds now, especially better at low volume. I buy everything used (except the rack, IPAD), so, that really helps the pocket book. Since I am committed to tubes, I doubt I will upgrade much in the coming decade. If I decide to pay for true high res steaming instead of exclusively using my transport for my many personal high res songs, I may upgrade the DAC and my IPAD streaming setup. As the streaming technology continues to improve, that is where I see my future money going... Currently, I am only streaming "low/medium" res. |
I have two systems I'm extremely pleased with. One is my studio set up for my work (EDM producer,audio engineer, mastering engineer), and for my mains, I continue to find improvements. Just recently went from an Odyssey Kismet amp to a Pass labs XA30.8 and I gotta say what a fascinating change. Odyssey was so warm and full bodied but the pass labs just seems to sound so realistic from a tonal and soundstage perspective. But I also see how the Odyssey had some extra warmth that was nice for listening, but for work I think the Pass let's me see in to the mix more. You guys think it's bad when it's just your hobby. When it's your profession and you are trying to use the equipment to help find a sonic neutrality to help your mixes translate to other systems. Now I have to readjust my hearing for the new amp. Will be a while before I can trust my mix decisions again most likely. But it's so fun to see your music in a new light even if there is an adjustment period. But after this I have to be done for a while. Budget is screaming at me but I am super happy with my system right now. But maybe these interconnects need upgrading hmm... |
@barts +1 "Any "upgrade" could easily be a downgrade.” -so true! |
@drrsutliff it sounds like you’ve had a great ride in this enjoyable hobby! Yes, we are likely close in age. I turned 65 this past summer and enjoy music more now than I ever have; even if my hearing is no longer what it once was. Every once in awhile i’ll find an old ad or a two sided brochure from companies like Tech Hi-Fi, with color pictures of a typical audio system of the time; a turntable, receiver, cassette deck, reel to reel and a pair of speakers. All those colorful lights were a visual feast for the eyes, and of course these audio systems offered us a gateway into what would eventuallly become the wonderful memories of first discovering music! |
I refer to this point in time not as 'the end point' or 'endgame' but as 'hobbyist maturity', as this can happen with other hobbies as well... Basically, it's the realization of 3 key facts all coming together at the same time: 1) There will ALWAYS be something 'better' out there... it's just a question of having the (financial) resources and the desire / time / effort to continuously upgrade; 2) You have reached the point in the hobby where the improvements achieved by an upgrade or change are growing smaller and smaller in terms of measurable / listenable improvements... while simultaneously growing exponentially more expensive and / or difficult / time consuming to implement; 3) The blissful acknowledgement that "what I have now is really pretty damn good!"
A little bittersweet, as that dopamine rush you used to get when you scored a great piece of gear is now gone... but, if you embrace #3... you replace it with contentment and actual ENJOYMENT of your system in ways not experienced before... |
@carlso63 +1 Well said. |
That sucks!