The Psychology of Constant (Equipment) Change

Thanks for the topic, audiodwebe...

I have patiently read a lot of our responses while giving some thought to the question.  On the surface, it would appear that some combinations of your gear do indeed satisfy up to a point, when there is restlessness.  Thanks for your honesty. 

My journey has been long learning with a comparatively small budget inside rental apartments.  The last 24 years have been much more focused upon improving a difficult, dedicated small studio.  If interested, my posts can define much of the trip.  

The crux of my ambition is pretty much the same as TAS's Harry Pearson all those decades ago...the replication of the live event, preferably unamplified.  He and J Gordon Holt broke the ground for subjective evaluation, a nomenclature for the images of sound which set the stage for more rapid progression of the hobby. 

Progress is the fluid end game for me.  As things improve, the target gains distance...often, not realizing something was missing until it appears.  The relationship of the loudspeakers to the room, tuning, physical, and yes, digital.  Graphs and measurements of your sound are a valid starting point.  Subsequently, working to within a 1/100th of a decibel is possible, allowing the fine tuning of your preferred flavors and the exciting discovery of much that has been either blurred, distorted or frequencies hidden entirely from the reality of the capture, till now. 

Is perfection possible?  Let's hope not!  I quite enjoy the chase.  But that's me.  For example, I've savored two years before pulling the trigger on an ethernet cable upgrade, focusing on room tuning as my budget allowed.  I'm both excited and nervous since it is, for me, a substantial spend.  Thanks LL Bean for yet another bonus year!         :) 

I strongly suspect how we come to our hobby somewhat dictates our goals and pleasures.  I have a close friend whose system is constantly in flux.  His passion may surpass mine.  When he lived close by, he had three system in the mix and enjoyed them all, seeking synergy and fun.  Recently, here, there seems to be more lecturing and scolding around how one should approach our hobby...with the zeal of their definitions.  Really?    

More Peace,  Pin            (bold print for old eyes)

Afterthought, audiodwebe ...

I have great respect for you and others with your "condition."  You've afforded yourselves the luxury of multiple systems.  Kudos!  Having the means, three systems would seem probable here.  The slammin' horn rig with maybe superspeed new Class D amps and huge horn subs for rock.  For large classical and more big pinpoint stuff, maybe some tall stats or planars, big tubes and locked in subs.  For the smaller venues in an intimate space...I'm pretty content with cones, speedy beryllium tweets (love ya Jeff Bagby, rest in peace, brother) and a servo subwoofer.  Music lovers are terrific.  

As to over-analyzing, the task put to us was, indeed, a request for a diagnosis.

Onwards, Pin