For me I have just come to learn that I like change. Often times the new amp or pre seems to sound better to me. Fact is, the sound is just different and I like that. At least it satisfies me fully for 6 months.
The above is true if the gear is truely high end and understood by most A'philes to be very good sounding. This is what I have done to slow down by buying and selling and thus far it has worked. I have two amps - one SS and one tube. Both represent what I know to be great sound. I use one for a month then go back to the other. This is enjoyable to me and delivers on my need for a new and "better" sound.
I know many of us want to try a new toy for this change. I have had so many new toys to try over the past 4 years that I have now come to this conclusion. Once you reach the level of a great sound system the new toys are not really "better", but just a different presentation of great sound. Now that I know what I like I simply swap out amps for a different perspective every month. All my learning from past gear has lead me to two amps that fit my likes and need for change.
You could do this with CD players, dacs, amps, pre's or even wire. I bet two preamps would do the same thing. My gear is purchased used and the units represent great values. I spent $1700 on two amps and have more sonic joy then any $8,0000 single amp I have owned. So this can be done for reasonable money. I find amps fun to swap and thus stick with this approach.
I love my current CD player and could see owning a nice used Ack dack, Audio Mirror etc to swap in and out to accomplish what I have done with my amps. I think a power amp greatly impacts the sound of a system, thus I swap amps.
What has this approach gained me? Less time listing, dealing and packing gear - less hassle. Saved money and time. Folks in the end, all the great - really great sounding gear satisfies and simply changing out pleases no more in the long run. Just a short term high induced by change. Get your high as I outlined above and get off the cycle that if we were honest - is draining and not always fun.
Bill
The above is true if the gear is truely high end and understood by most A'philes to be very good sounding. This is what I have done to slow down by buying and selling and thus far it has worked. I have two amps - one SS and one tube. Both represent what I know to be great sound. I use one for a month then go back to the other. This is enjoyable to me and delivers on my need for a new and "better" sound.
I know many of us want to try a new toy for this change. I have had so many new toys to try over the past 4 years that I have now come to this conclusion. Once you reach the level of a great sound system the new toys are not really "better", but just a different presentation of great sound. Now that I know what I like I simply swap out amps for a different perspective every month. All my learning from past gear has lead me to two amps that fit my likes and need for change.
You could do this with CD players, dacs, amps, pre's or even wire. I bet two preamps would do the same thing. My gear is purchased used and the units represent great values. I spent $1700 on two amps and have more sonic joy then any $8,0000 single amp I have owned. So this can be done for reasonable money. I find amps fun to swap and thus stick with this approach.
I love my current CD player and could see owning a nice used Ack dack, Audio Mirror etc to swap in and out to accomplish what I have done with my amps. I think a power amp greatly impacts the sound of a system, thus I swap amps.
What has this approach gained me? Less time listing, dealing and packing gear - less hassle. Saved money and time. Folks in the end, all the great - really great sounding gear satisfies and simply changing out pleases no more in the long run. Just a short term high induced by change. Get your high as I outlined above and get off the cycle that if we were honest - is draining and not always fun.
Bill