Where are you in your audiophile journey? Mine began in 1968 with my brother and I investing in a AR tuntable, AR speakers and Dynaco amp. After a hiatus of twenty years to get educated, raise kids and put them through professional schools I resumed my journey after meeting a fellow Audiogoner. With his guidance, my system as evolved through four different amps, four premaps, four cd players and four different pairs of speakers and numberous tweeks most through trading on the Gon. My wife asked a profound question: " When does it all stop? Is all the tweeking and seeking ever gong to end? Can't you be satified with what you have?" As I reflected on her question, I asked myself: What is my (your) endpoint? Or, is there and endpoint? Are you having more fun in the process or have you reached your sonic "enlightment'? If you have "arrived" then how?
Rnwong, good question... I began my journey into audio about the same time you did and with the same type of gear AR/Dynaco to start with, and it sounded quite good (at least that's my recollection of it).
Since that time I've been through countless components, wires, tweaks, and systems finding that some were ultimately more satisfying than others.
Right now I am fine tuning my large-room system and using the Lyngdorf DPA-1 digital preamp has simplified the process for me, having corrected the frequency response and room acoustics. So now I'm trying a cable here or there to find any subtle improvements I can get. But I'm in a very satisfying place, where the system is very close to my idea of perfection.
Of course anytime you move a system to a different room the battle begins anew, but with the Lyngdorf I think my job of tweaking will be easier no matter what.
Luckily I have a second system in a smaller room that sounds quite good, but I'm still messing with core components and cables in an effort to find the best mix of components for that particular acoustic space. I'm close but not completely satisfied. I'm not looking to duplicate all the big rig does, I'm seeking more of a very amenable contrast.
I also started with this hobby around the same time as you did. Right now if I never changed anything in my system at all I would be perfectly satisfied. Listening is a pleasure so I guess I've reached my destination. I've been in this condition for a while but still make changes just for the heck of it. Not sure if that will ever end.
Thanks for all the responses. Is the deeper issue that we are seeking for the sake of seeking. It is often said the struggle of the goal is more often more satisfying than reaching the goal. That tweek, or new addition gives you momentairy pleasure then you go looking for that one "last dohicky" that you just know will turn your system into "sonic nirvana"!!! Is that you.....? What is driving this insanity????
I am not sure how profound the question is. It is a hobby after all, we are aficionados to different degrees ... that implies exploring. If this were a commodity purchase, like a refrigerator, then it would be different.
It is like asking 'why buy new music' ... to what end. Not sure if it is worth answering.
To answer your question, it started with a Philco tube victrola with detachable stereo speakers in 1970 ... then a SONY HP161 record player/ tuner compact stereo in 1974. Played the hell out of both systems. Obviously not there today.
'When does it stop?', best to ask your wife when she will buy her last pair of shoes. For a wife to make that comment she admitting to have about 100 pair of shoes in the closet now, with more to follow. We audiophiles found out long ago it is about the journey. Hey, I've been at this since 1955. Still 'on the road'.
I think my journey will end when I reach the point where it began.
I will decipher that response.
When I was a young guy I bought my first nice system. Hafler amp and preamp, JBL L150A speakers and a Denon turntable. I listened to music for the pure joy of it.
I then met a writer from an old Hi Fi magazines and he changed my world. He taught me all the things I should be listening for. I've never stopped trying to hear them all.
When my ears start going bad I think I will again listen for the joy of listening. That might not be so bad?
My brother said it best: "Listening helps me to feel more". The arts move us to an emotional response. To that end, we never stop growing. The journey, the process and the destination are all important towards making us more complete human beings. Thanks for all the imput. Happy listening.
My brother said it best: "Listening helps me to feel more". The arts move us to an emotional responses. To that end, we never stop growing. The journey, the process and the destination are all important towards making us more complete human beings. Thanks for all the imput. Happy listening.
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