I'm done changing things unless something breaks down. Am I done adding things? Who know but any additions are very few and far between. I still browse the listings but just for entertainment.
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I am finished once I: complete my audio room, get the room treatments done, buy another pair of speakers, upgrade my DAC, get a new streamer, and finish about 30 DIY cables I bought bulk cable and connectors for. So nowhere near done
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It appears that it's not only Americans that are that, it's like a wave going around the globe.
As for sort of therapy, audio equipment and other purchases, there is no doubt about that. Effective or not, it varies, I guess.
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I am absolutely finished after I install the new speaker cables I ordered last week.
Although they may expose a weakness in my standard power cables. So definitely after I evaluate new power cables. Of course, plugging in new power cables into a standard wall outlet seems silly. Hmm, I really need a way to listen to my old SACDs. I see Innuos has released new high end streamers. Wait, what was the question?
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we, Americans are unhappy, angry, bitter; buying expensive stuff is how we cope. There is no satisfaction just filling voids, when we realize it didn't fix it but maybe the next one will, the bigger more expensive purchase will be the last one, or so we hope.
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I done. I have said that about as many times as I said I was quitting smoking cigarettes. I did quit cigarettes a couple of decades ago. Much easy to quit smoking than to stop upgrading stereo equipment.
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Not reached the end just yet. My system sounds sublime. Running some heavily modded Aerial Acoustic 7Ts with Grover Huffman Pharoah biwire speaker cables and interconnects, with PSAudio hybrid M1200 monoblock amplifiers, an Aric Audio Motherlode XL tube preamp, a Space-Tech super rectifier, Melco Server-streamer/CD player, Synergistic Research ethernet switch, Network Acoustic ethernet filter, Puron 156 power conditioner and a few other tweaks. So, I end up talking with Eric Alexander over the weekend and committing to purchasing a pair of Ulfberth speakers. Just could not resist....
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Yes. I have reached my end point in hi-end audio. There is no better sound and there won't be better sound than my current audio system forever. Every parts, the source, amps, cables, and speakers are at the top of the world. I'm not eager to listen to my music like when my system was incomplete. And it's always there for me when I want it like a old friend. Alex/Wavetouch audio
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“end point” what’s that? LOL
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" Done until the next purchase ".
Precisely.
Right now I am busy getting some spare vintage tubes.
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I could easily stay with what I have, but it's not likely! :)
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Getting off the gear treadmill is mostly about finding the right synergy. Even six-figure systems can be surprisingly disappointing when the synergy is off. Conversely, a six hundred dollar system can sound great with the correct synergy.
Some listeners are better off sticking with tried and true pairings rather than the aimless trial and error most of us seem to do. For example, pairing BBC monitors with LFD amps, B&W with McIntosh, Creek with Epos, etc.
Most importantly, find a combo of components that's emotionally engaging. Trying to achieve the perfect “audiophile” system or mimic a live performance is a fool’s errand.
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Done until the next purchase. That's the only constant in this hobby.
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If inflation were the concern, the obvious move would be to buy now before prices rise. Economic instability is an entirely different worry. But the penny candy conceit sure sounded clever.
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Yes, the end-point is when you run out of $$$$, LOL!!!
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I find it disheartening to see so many taking a scaredy-cat tactic. The time to have complained about inflationary pressures was when we lost our penny candy. Otherwise, life is life and we just carry on. You weren’t scared when you bought your first piece of stereo equipment. Don’t be now.
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The day they find a cure for desire is the 1st or 2nd of never. I suspect many of us will only cure the need for change in our systems when we age out. I have absolutely no need to change a thing at this point yet I'm still posting here and perusing used equipment websites. However, my purchasing has fallen way off in recent years, the present uncertainty with the economy makes it highly unlikely I'm purchasing any audio component in the near future. Wonder how many others taking this tack.
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I’m probably done. Or nearly. I’m phono-centric and cartridges are consumables, so I might buy one or two more down the road, but unless some electronics blow up, I think my components are set.
As for this hobby being an addiction, I’m happy to discover that I don’t think so. I’ve been lucky enough to work at home for the past 25 years. At least I think it’s lucky; many folks would dislike this arrangement. So I listen to my systems a lot each day, and I love to do that. But recently my wife and I have spent extended periods traveling. Surprisingly, I don’t even think about listening to recorded music, let alone miss it. That’s simply would not be true of an actual addiction. It is one pleasure among many. But clearly I have wondered about it.
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I’m in Alcoholics Anonymous and there are similarities most definitely. I catch myself getting caught up in all the BS and then I have to sit back and remind myself that the last thing I thought was gonna solve everything is looking right at me. Just like the new piece would be doing After the newness wears off in about 30 days
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Of course, I'll keep upgrading. I prefer to do it in big jumps too, which means rarely. My speakers are probably the weakest link but I like them a lot and don't want to replace them, I've had them for 25 years.
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I was going to chime in, but @grinnell described my situation perfectly. At this point, I’ll buy something only if something I have breaks, and even then I’ll likely buy used.
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Yep, completely done as of summer of 2024...no more gear. It actually worked out well because the cost of new and used gear (and shipping) is now officially, certifiably insane.
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I'm pretty much done. Have a decent mid level system. Added a streamer to make things easier. with a 4 watt int amp I'm tempted to replace my speakers but they sound good and I don't listen to loud levels anymore. Almost always buy used.
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I have always aimed at upgrading "a level". Reaching as high as I could and then over the next couple years upgrading all components to that level. This is the active upgrade time. Then I optimize for a year (positioning, cables, vibration control, etc.) while enjoying the music. Then I just enjoy the music. I have found that in this way, each component is a major upgrade, and once completed, synergy has kicked in and elevated it performance to a new degree. I increasingly spend more time listening to music. So, at least for me the desire to upgrade goes away for five to ten years. During that time, I still read Stereophile and The Absolute Sound, keeping track of advancements... but the desire to upgrade is completely absent. Until the years have gone by, I have recovered finanicially and I can start thinking about the next level. Which for me always involves a 2x investment or more, as that will net a huge jump in performance.
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Yes, but I still read the ads. Nothing new about that I have any interest in except for recordings (CDs). If I get really (!) bored, I do have lots of good old stuff about that I can play with.
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Yes I will be the first to say I am done with buying gear for a long time. Prices are too high and if I decide to buy a piece, it will be used. BTW the perfection you speak about is a myth. It’s whatever sounds good to YOU, that’s the finish line. I get your point as poking fun at the hobby but I refuse to take it too seriously. There are much, much more important issues to think about and, in particular, how much more will I have to pay for food, automobile costs and other household goods? If only I had to worry about just ...egg prices???
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