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I have a confession to make

I have an addiction, and I have to stop. I don't know if it is upgradeitis, or audiophileism. But I suddenly feel real bad. My wife who is the most wonderfull person in the world is even becoming concerned.
It all started one day looking for some speakers for my very modest home theatre set up in my living room. I wanted to be able to enjoy music also. Low end Sony CD player you know. I was using these God awful Fischer speakers with 15" woofers.
Well, that was about 5 years ago. Now $40,000.00 later, I have a dedicated HT room and A dedicated Tube based listening room. I don't make this kind of money to be doing this. What the hell is my problem ? The Vpi record washing machine was the last straw for my wife. "$500 to wash a record? You have a serious problem". She is right,what the hell am I doing? But I continue to look at what is for sale. What would be better than what I have?
Please I beg all of you, If you receive a email from me wanting to buy your product, please delete my email. If you see any of my products for sale, please don't make an offer. I need friggin help here man.
I have to realize that there can always be better than what I have. Just enjoy what the heck I have and be done with it. Masn this is one sick addiction.
scottht
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
I understand that there is a little humor mixed in with a little real concern, but I wonder about people here (especially myself) if there isn't a deeper problem. No system, no matter how good is ever going to sound like live music. I have heard lots of good systems including my own, and the moments when I was caught off guard by how good a person or instrument sounded are few and far between. They are the exception, not the rule. Even though they are the driving force behind many of our equipment purchases.

The illusion is in your head.

If that is the case, can't we just decide to be content with what we already have? This gets to be like little kids buying Star Wars trading cards or whatever. One of the real differences between children and adults is self control.

Pbb might have had the first good idea of his life when he suggested that a person buy music when the bug bites. It's a lot cheaper to buy a few LPs or, perish the thought, CDs rather than buy a new pre-amp or speakers. The newness factor is still there, but the savings account is still intact too! Your wife might like that.
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
Shasta, My wife says I have that Obssesive-compulsive thing you talk about, you know I think I do! I think as to any hobby we all have this to a certain degree that's why I buying lotso music and not equipment as it's a hole lot cheaper than equpment and more enjoyable to boot except when the car gets towed!!!!
Enjoy the tunes!
vvrinc
323 posts
 
Color me a fatalist...there is NO cure! Sorry! I am there, I hear your pain!

Everytime I see a thread beginning with: "Getting into vinyl slowly, want to spend less than 1K..." I say to myself, "this guy 's toast!"

To avoid the virus you must either: never use a computer again or start another hobbie that's cheaper (let's say, finding 4-leaf-clovers in the Sahara). Preferably, both!

A few suggestions:
1. When your wife is home, you have to intercept packages before the delivery truck reaches your front door (I have a 7-11 store nearby where these nefarious exchanges take place.)
2. Be the one that oversees home-finances and cancelled checks, CC receipts, etc (take it from me, kids "do not" need to eat every day. Three meals-a-day is only a guideline, just like "all digital connections must be 1.5 meters for optimum transfer of information between transport and DAC").
3. Study in your off-time how to build an accoustically-sound area in the 2x3 ft space you'll be residing in at your local YMCA once you do get thrown out of the house.

My sympathies and best wishes.
imin2u
392 posts
 
My wife Joni had me cracking up two nights ago. She and I had been hunting for the self-titled Ricky Lee Jones album for about an hour and she said, "I can't believe that all I want to hear is "Last Chance Texaco" and you can't find it with all this mess! This is part of your desease." Thank god she started laughing with me (or at me). I told her it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. We never did find it but that's what makes it fun when it turns up.
vvrinc
323 posts
 
Scottht,

In re-thinking ad re-reading your post, I am afraid that my last post, and the attempt at levity to address our problem, is absolutely not appropriate. I apologize.

Since I am dealing with, pretty much, the same affliction, I think it best to listen to the wiser minds above as I will also try to do.

My spouse has been very understanding about "my" $800. record-washer and assorted toys but I also see the concern. I don't think it is only the "if you can afford it" factor, it is that the gear starts becoming the mistress.

Best regards.
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