New equipment


Just as I was smugly listening to and very much enjoying my MUSIC, I went and bought a new piece. At first, I was so happy with the improvement it made.  But then the audiophile monster came lurking.  I was not listening to the music anymore. I was listening to the SYSTEM.  And, of course, there’s always something that can be better.

KISS OF DEATH!

It’s taking me a while to get back to the music again.  Writing this is a good step.

BEWARE of new equipment.

128x128rvpiano

Sounds like new equipment syndrome. Initial insertion inherently brings on analytical mode of listening. Generally, we give new item at least 100 hours for burn in or adjustment of perceptions, could be more hours in some cases. We then, over time, almost imperceptibly fall into music lover mode, or we can't seem to get back there. New piece stays on one hand, out the door on the other.

 

Sometimes, in thinking about this, I wonder about all the cast offs people sell on used market, obviously, replacements bettered the item being sold. Usually, I like to ask what replaced item sold, appearance of lateral move can be bewildering, but then some people like to churn equipment.

Generally speaking, the better the system/room sounds, the more I enjoy the music. I believe that's what I spent all that money on. 

And I do really enjoy it. My new Benchmark DAC 3 DX is sounding nice, and I don't really know how to use it yet, but that's part of the fun.

Best Regards,

Dan

If you are considering replacing a piece, always try to get a long term audition of it in your own system and room so you can properly evaluate the change it is going to make.  After a week or two your relationship with the changed sound will have bedded down.

Listening to a different system or component the first time for a short period very often gives a false positive impression simply because the sound is different from your present system.  Many dealers have sold many pieces taking advantage of this effect.  Ask for a long term audition.  More often than not, different is not better.