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Really satisfied???

I was wondering how many audiophiles are really satisfied with their systems to a point where they feel like there is no need to upgrade anymore. I say to myself sometimes there is no way anything else i can buy or replace can make my system sound any better. But then the next day i am looking and reading about what cd player or separates may sound better than my Krell KPS 20i.  My system consists of Krell FPB 600 , Mark Levinson 38s, Krell KPS 20i , Krell B&W Bass Alignment filters BAFs Balanced (2) , B&W Matrix 800s , Straightwire Crescendo speaker cable and interconnects. Am i really satisfied?? Hmmmmmm 
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tomcarr
1,519 posts
 
Always wanting to change/upgrade a system over the past 40+ years until...last year finally made the effort to really take the time to position the speakers and listening seat, have a dedicated room with a dedicated AC line, and acoustic treatment.
Very happy with sound. Have a very modest system but finally have no desire to jump back onto the upgrade treadmill. 
Knowing now what a difference the room and the treatments have made, I genuinely feel sorry for the frustration most audiophiles feel from not getting the level of sound quality their gear is capable of...

Tom
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,785 posts
 
If you begin with the premise that listening is a "fine art", you'll accept that some days you are "in the mood" and some you are not. A definition of "fine" is "easy to see through if so desired". Silk is a fine cloth and canvas is not. Part of the paradigm is meeting your system half-way by pushing the "believe button" and entering the illusion.
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
There were many years of frustration and trial-and-error (some of which was caused by living far from any large city, and no audio oriented culture to learn from in my small town). A limited budget has also been a factor, but I have spent as much as I could with much DIY endeavors, and I am happy to say there is no aspect of my system I could improve on without spending much more than I can currently afford, though thankfully, I find no need to do so.

God bless the happy audiophile!
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
@dweller

Good point. Not enough made of how biological factors (e.g., hearing acuity, mental energy, emotional state) contribute to the listening experience. If room acoustics are rolled in under "hardware", then the Big 3 contributors could be called Hardware, Software & Wetware (or so I think).
jond's avatar
jond
5,841 posts
 
I am satisfied with my system very satisfied in fact. Can it be improved? Of course it can! But. To really make a meaningful improvement would require a fairly outsize expenditure. So I tinker around the edges but overall I am happy to let things stay where they are.
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