The Psychology of Constant (Equipment) Change


Anybody have an answer?

I have a decent selection of preamps, amps, integrateds and speakers to choose from and I find myself swapping out gear constantly.  And it's not because anything sounds bad.  Quite contrary, really.

After most swapping sessions, I'm generally really satisfied and quite enjoy the sound quality.  But within a few weeks I'm swapping stuff out again.

What would be the diagnosis for my condition?

 

128x128audiodwebe

.... I don't think I'll ever apologize at any point in the near future for rambling 'off-topic' .... 

I mean. Really...

What started as an innocent ('apparently'....😏..) query into thoughts of what drives one to empty ones' wallet, write too many words describing a figure on a check (Remember those?  'How....quaint...'....), or making a ccard wilt....

...in regard to a hobby and/or heavy involvement in SOTAAudio..

Somehow can become a political attack...🤷‍♂️

Lame....

@audiodwebe

With your permission, I’d like to steer this discussion back to "on topic."

Since you are asking us to "get inside your head" (a bold endeavor for certain), I have some comments --- AND -- a suggestion.

Your seemingly perpetual loop of "dissatisfaction" with your system could be unrelated to "audio" and may be pointing to other areas of your life you are wresting with? If, for instance, maybe you are subjected to a barrage of conflicts you can’t resolve, family matters, business matters, political tug of war, or just trying to make the world a better place? This/these would represent items that are out of your control for many reasons -- too hot to touch (family matters), above your pay grade (fixing the world’s problems). Your actions and attentions could turn to what you DO have control over and affect the outcomes -- your system. You CAN FIX it, make it better, and feel that you have successfully solved a problem. Things ARE better, because YOU properly observed the problem, connected the dots correctly, made intelligent decisions and deployed them artfully.

Now for the suggestion:

Apply gratitude. That is to say, each time you sit in the "sweet spot" acknowledge what it took to get you in this space at this time, and be grateful. So many things had to go "right" to get you where you are RIGHT NOW. In a wonderful space, that your hard work and disciplined life created, your meticulous selection of high resolution audio gear, listening to the best examples of musical excellence the world has ever known.

Then l-i-s-t-e-n to the m-u-s-i-c and e-n-j-o-y what is unfolding in front of you. (And, off to the sides, and behind). If any dissatisfaction creeps into your head, tell yourself just how lucky are to have "good" problems to solve. And, this isn’t a problem that needs solving.

Best of luck.

Thanks, everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

I appreciate all of you.

 

   

Thanks, everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

I appreciate all of you.

Looking through some of these posts, tt appears that you received therapy, counseling and crash courses on human psychology, geopolitics, medicine, etc, etc.

The gon gonged hard on this one, it seems, 😁

As i explained in my posts, the OP do not suffer probably at all of any psychological problem.

I was in the same situation when i did not know how to optimize mechanically, electrically and acoustically a system/room ... Most people dont know sorry, it is easy to verify that they dont experiment generally save buying gear,..😊

Most people buy gear , they said that they like it but soon in a short time begin anew to be frustrated if the acoustical balance defect is evident but if the system is too bland they enter into boredom and they think to upgrade again as a solution...

Juggling with gear pieces is not the solution to begin with sorry most of the times...

It is not a psy problem OP , it is an acoustics problem ( with an (s) dear Hilde45 then not room acoustic merely )

Am i am wrong ?

Then why am i not only am i happy but borderline acoustically and musically ecstatic each day?

Rightfull optimization of what we have BEFORE upgrading...

Minimal acoustic satisfaction because of a good balance between acoustics factors EXCLUDE boredom with the sound by definition of what it is in acoustic concepts : ASW/LV = immersiveness  

There exist other mechanical factors... Speakers vibrate and enter resonance... Their porthole trust me is not well designed in most case etc....

the electrical factors are numerous ...