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Many of us want to Changegrade instead of Upgrading

As I may have mentioned, I once saw an anime where the protagonists had a music cafe bar.  They had half a dozen bookshelf sized tube amplifiers on the shelves.  I guess the idea was they'd swap them out from time to time.

I really love the idea of doing that as audiophiles. Instead of chasing the next big score we should look for things that interest and excite us.  To chase the change instead of the "upgrade." So many see upgrading as a way of self-care or self-love.  I must love myself more, or be capable of more self-love because I just spend 10x what I spent last year on my speakers.  If that's you, who am I to stop you?

But it is worth stepping back from the "upgrade" ramp and asking whether money is actually paying for better or different.  If it's just different, maybe we need to do a changegrade.

erik_squires
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,595 posts
 

When you get your system to make music that without doubt satisfies you, you can changegrade.  Until then you have to upgrade.

erik_squires OP
16,114 posts
 

@tomcy6 

 

I think a lot of us can't ever be satisfied.  We make a change, fall in love, and then get the itch to changegrade again.  We need to accept who we are.  😂

juanmanuelfangioii
958 posts
 

I do that with the 3 set of speakers and a couple of integrated amps I have. I get the itch I swap things around, mix and match, or change grade as you say.

ghdprentice
7,014 posts
 

I have been satisfied at every level. Then after a time (saving money and enjoying my current system), would begin planning my next upgrade. Each upgrade and upgrade cycle has resulted in very substantial increases in sound quality and in my satisfaction of my system. I have never planned or unexpectedly received a sideway movement… OK, 45 years ago, I think I fooled areound for a year getting my first set of high end components right. 

relayer101's avatar
relayer101
615 posts
 

I think my change grade is having a system in my office with a nice vintage Technics turntable and bookshelf speakers and dual subs with a pretty decent sound but quite different than with my main system. Not nearly a good as the main system but a nice change from time to time. 

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