How long have you had the SAME GEAR?


Just curious....
Not counting Cart.'s and A/D's, how long have you had your same gear?
How often do you change it?
Is there anyone out there with the same system for five years that is happy with it?

How many of you go into high end shops and audition systems that cost 4 or 5 times the retail of your own and think it stinks?
gumbydammit
I have had basically The same system for much longer than 5 years. I am still using a pair of Dahlquist DQM-9s that I have had since 1986, although they are having new surrounds installed right now so I am using a pair of 13 year old DQ-20s for now. I have a hafler 220 thats even older driving them. I still use a DBX DX-5 for cd's witch is 15 years old, give or take. My newest piece in this system is a hafler Iris pre amp, maybe its 8 or 9 years old. Most of my time and money all goes into the home theater now, that would be a much different story. But I still like that old audio system after all these years.
Let's see when did I change my underwear? Only kiding in the last 11 years I have had 8 pairs of speakers, 10 amps, 8 pre-amps, 4 turntables, 20 catridges and about three sets of interconnects and speakerwires. Now I am married and all that is at a end! By the way I have no money in the bank,(that also will change). Crazy hobby or what; kind of like drugs! I blame it all on Harry Pearson who else! If only I could pick out all the best parts of each one of these components and make SUPER components! How fondly I remember something nice about each one if only.........
Until the last few months I had the same Naim 42.5/Hicap/110 combo driving Linn Sara's all purchased in 1987. I have a Linn LP 12/Ittok purchased prior to these pieces. After upgrading all the electronics I discovered the Valhalla board was bad in the tt. I upgraded with a new cartridge and the Circus kit. Couldn't be happier except I can't bring myself to list the Naim gear for sale here on Audiogon. My system isn't as whizbang as most I read about here but it is very musical. I have spent 35 years collecting vinyl and have to laugh at the minimal strides hi fidelity has taken in this time. The new stuff is all Linn...Wakonda, Genki, LK 240's. I'm most happy with the increase in power and the convenience of a remote. Hope I keep this stuff as long as the previous pieces. I predict however, that I will try and tweak this system to death due to all the great advice I find here at Audiogon. Very nice bunch of people. If anyone wants to throw a party count me in!
My BEST to all,
Patrick
Lugnut, I love this phrase from your post: " My system isn't as whizbang as most I read about here but it is very musical. I have spent 35 years collecting vinyl and have to laugh at the minimal strides hi fidelity has taken in this time."

Anyone who cares enough about music to realize what you've stated is way ahead of the game. Much of that vinyl is irreplaceable by now and yet the new gear keeps reinventing itself over and over.

Not to say that great progress has not been made, I just happen to agree that 35 years of vinyl is more valuable than 35 years of swapping gear in frustration.
Albert, I'm so glad you got the intention of my statement. I do love music and would have a more whizbang system if I could afford it AND all my other hobbies. Maybe I should part with the Naim gear and go on a tweak crusade. Once again, this is one fine community!
Patrick