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An unscientific poll: How often are you happy?

What percentage of the time do you just break out in a smile and thoroughly enjoy the music *and* the sound when you fire up your system? 10%? 50%? 99%? (The other times: you hear something wrong, something lacking, needs tweaking, needs upgrading, colorations, distortions, you hear a noise, a tube might be going, not musical enough, can't suspend your disbelief the way you want to, your expectations are disappointed, it doesn't sound like you remember the dealer's system did, doesn't sound like you remember your friend's system did, you made the wrong move with the last upgrade, you doubt the money you recently spent really made a difference, the recording is too flawed, you wonder what it would sound like if you changed this or that, you enjoyed it more in the car, you question whether you've truly got your priorities in perspective, etc...) Give your %, and list the approximate $ investment you have in the system (specify new or used valuation). Mine: happy about 15% of the time, valuation around $17,000 if all bought new. Conclusions - if any - drawn later...
zaikesman
beemer
444 posts
 
I'm blessed to have 2 systems and a good woman who understands audiophilia. Both systems each about 40-45K at retail.....yes I do have it bad!

All in all I'm happy with both systems all the time, they both do well with a good source. Those are the keywords here: "A good source". There is no audio magic that can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. Yes, I am talking CD here. There's where my disappointments lie. I buy whatever catches my fancy as well as stuff I read about that others have enjoyed, however every time I go out on a limb and buy an unknown artist I feel that I'm having a spin of the CD roulette wheel. The wheel has 5% excellent, 15% very good, 30% good, 40% poor and 10% unacceptable. That is how I would describe the music purchase quality. Am I the only one that feels as I do, or do you all feel that you never know what kind of crap recording quality you'll get when you unwrap that new CD?
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Well my rig is about 45k(plus or minus a little) retail new, and the times it brings me joy are increasing nearly daily, ie I used to be dissapointed with my system often-knowing that it can be much better- however now it is sounding good(to me) most all of the time. I would say I have a dumb smile on my face about 85% of my listening time, everyone has bad days and nothing will sound good on those days.

Beemer hit the nail on the head!! with his music purchases, random purchasing is not a good way to find new music! I am finally learning this.
perfectimage
406 posts
 
I am happy 99% of the time and the one percent Im not is usually because I am in a pissy mood. I am up to about $65,000 retail and most of it I bought brand new. I started off with $500 klipsh speakers and added a component at a time until I got to where I am now.

Everytime I hear it I am suprised in how good it sounds. I think going brand new was money well spent. I would have done better financially to go used but I wouldnt have had their recommendations on components and synergy.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,568 posts
 
99% and would guess around $5K (new and used) in the current living room system. It sounded better before I downsized (lost a nice SET amp and a good DAC), but it still makes me happy. I do not concern myself with audiophile quality recordings (though don't pass them up either if the music is good) and purchase lots of software (mostly older material) on the used market (how good does one expect a recording from the early 1900's to sound anyway)?. I do not buy just anything and am somewhat selective as this morning I finished sorting and grading an LP collection of 500+ (for a friend to sell opn Ebay) and only found four that we wanted. I left her with all of the Japanese pressings, Living Stereo's, Half speed masters etc., as the music did not interest us. There are so many things beyond my control in our lives lately that it is sometimes a bit overwhelming, but happiness is not one of them and never will be if I can help it.
realhifi
159 posts
 
Hmmm....hard to quantify isn't it? I guess I'd put it at about 75%-85% right now. I think I'm pretty happy when the cd I put on is good more so then if my sytem isn't quite right. I've got about $5,000 in the system now and know that a few more tweaks will make a difference and bring it that much closer to giving me satisfaction and pleasure all the time. New wires.....that's the biggy in front of me right now. I truly love to listen every time I put something I love on, so.....I'm close.
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