Stuff You Tried To Love


I know we talk a lot about confirmation bias- we buy something and then convince ourselves we like it. Or something like that. But did you ever buy something you wanted to love and just couldn’t make it work? For me, Esoteric X-05 SACD/CD player. Bought from a local who was upgrading to the X-03. Big, beautiful piece of gear, but I couldn’t get used to the sound after 6 months of trying. Sold it to another local- I insisted he listen before he bought and I believe he sold it soon after as well. Totem Forest and Hawk. I loved the whole concept. Slim, easy to live with. Couldn’t get them to work in my room. The Model Ones were much better. I had a couple of other pieces, but this is long enough. BTW, these were bought used without audition.

chayro

Hi Fi Rose 130, Lifeless in my system. Replaced it with an Aurender N20. Smiles returned.

ATC SCM19 v.2 speakers

Rave reviews abounded, but I was very disappointed.  Just lifeless (was using a Hegel H190 at the time).  I have had the opportunity to hear several other ATC speakers in the meantime and not once did I hear anything that I would be willing to live with.

Only my Spendor A3Rs sounded worse to my ears.

This is in the context of the 16 different pairs of spears that I have owned since the late-1980s.

I now own JM Reynaud Abscisse Jubiles, which I just love.