Audiophile frame of mind


It amazes me how I can justify my audio purchases and don't think much about them with something costing several thousand dollars.  I know this goes with any hobby but I had a funny thought over the weekend.  The last OEM part of my system that I have been considering an upgrade is power cables.  I only have a couple random low end audioquest cables that I got as part of purchases several years ago.  Shunyata recently launched two new lines, Gamma and Theta.  I was thinking about the Gamma and to start with my monoblocks for the first 2 cables of a system that needs 6 total.  It would cost about $1300 for those 2.  That is the same cost of a nice Weber stainless steel grill with a side burner.  I couldn't go forward with getting an official quote on the cables.  Looks like I will be grilling in style this summer!

dhite71

i remember when some mocked me few years ago after i called my grid of 100 tunable resonators : "mechanical equalizer" for system/room...😊

In my acoustic frame of mind i claimed that it was most powerful than many electronical equalizer ( will not explain why again here) and cost nothing except time and "trained ears" for the tuning .,..

Read this extract quote from "Helmholtz resonance" Wiki entry :

«A set of varied size resonators was sold to be used as discrete acoustic filters for the spectral analysis of complex sounds. There is also an adjustable type, called a universal resonator, which consists of two cylinders, one inside the other, which can slide in or out to change the volume of the cavity over a continuous range. An array of 14 of this type of resonator has been employed in a mechanical Fourier sound analyzer. »

 

Then generally "audiophile state of mind" is linked to the next upgrading gear cost... As illustrated by the OP statement...

"acoustic state of mind" by contrast is motivated by real listening under control experience and experiments at no cost or peanuts costs...😊

"audiophile state of mind" is not really aimed to sound improvement often but to gear design improvement...

Acoustics is not reducible to gear design quality...

In the three equation part : ears/room/system, the pieces of gear are, so important they may be and they are, secondary... ( especially when a synergetical basic system is available  already at a relatively low price according to your budget)

I bet to be one of the rare one saying it this way and clearly ... 😁😊😋😎

 

 

@kennymacc  Very well said!  I know you are right that the idea of those power cables may be pushed to the side but will never be silenced forever.  This goes back to my moderation mindset.  It feels good, it's summer time so spend some money on the patio, the house, etc.  I just ordered the grill from Ace Hardware and they will deliver next week.  

@newfzx7 I have actually had a Big Green Egg since 2009.  It still works beautifully.  I haven't ever owned an outdoor gas grill so it was time.  I am uber fortunate and got a used Viking 36in Rangetop when I remodeled my kitchen in 2011.  It has 4 burners and a grill that is designed just like an outdoor grill.  It is amazing but was ready for an outdoor option too.  I love to cook as much as I do listen to music....both at the same time is the best.

@ronboco @vthokie83 I have an Ooni pellet pizza oven and while I like it I haven't gotten the itch for a Traeger.  You now know that I have a Big Green Egg so def wasn't going to add another smoker/grill to the mix.  My daughter and I are finding that for steaks, burgers and chicken we are not a big fan of the infusion of smoke flavor.  It can overpower the taste of the meat.  

@mahgister I like your take on an acoustic state of mind being more focused on the sound/experience.  I am definitely both.  I love having new gear that is eye candy but ultimately it is more about the sound.  I just sold some speakers that I loved the look but they just weren't delivering consistently enough on the SQ so they had to go.  

I like buying gear pieces too... I will probably if i could afford it just by audiophile obsession...😁

( But What active speakers i could pick to beat my actual heavily modified one? They costed me 100 bucks 12 years ago and i would probably be obligated to pay few thousand to beat them so well they are now )

But i was cured of upgraditis  by acoustics experiments , then i dont feel the real need nor the urge to do it...

Think about that , i designed my last Helmholtz resonator with a discarded 4 feet tube of plastic. I inserted in it another long tubes made of straws... The impact is so huge, it is not only on "timbre" but on listener envelopment and immersiveness..

Then upgrading to what? This acoustic upgrade is incredible  for anyone who dont know acoustics...

My soundfield is stunning and natural, the cost is too low to be taken seriously by any audiophile here because price tags is all they think about ... 😊

I am lucky with my acoustic frame of mind...

 

 

 

@mahgister I like your take on an acoustic state of mind being more focused on the sound/experience. I am definitely both. I love having new gear that is eye candy but ultimately it is more about the sound. I just sold some speakers that I loved the look but they just weren’t delivering consistently enough on the SQ so they had to go.

...I'm only in it for the *grins*, but have my own set of values, restraints, and the work-arounds that actually do....

 

...but if it wasn't for the music....all sorts of, Yes.....

....for the love of the music..Now, Before...to the end of this 'me'...;)

Otherwise....cut to 10.....I'm Out.

Best to y'all , all these times... J