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Total cost of ownership - how to reduce it

Audiogon members love their music - but I am not alone, I think, in finding that the requirements in terms of cost and time for keeping the system running at optimal, can become too steep. Can we help each other out?

Today I have spent two hours trying to find a failed tube in my system. Two months ago I had a bad episode with a repair service that did not repair and did not return my stuff. Some weeks ago, I blew a speaker driver, I am still waiting for the replacement. Thinking, I need a tube tester, since my system has a lot of tubes - I got the tester, but it blew tubes, not "dead on arrival" but "over-excited" - and has to be repaired. I am perhaps especially unlucky. But I ask myself, how much is enough? When such experiences accumulate, I can understand people plugging into Mp3, it is simple and it works.

I have thought about my situation and diagnosed two main types of problems - maybe, relevant for other Audiogon members also.

The first is where you buy a thing used and then get it upgraded by the manufacturer. You pay quite a lot for this, and you would expect the whole thing is checked - but it is not. In two cases now, I have experienced that even if the upgrade works fine, the box as a whole is not checked, and develops problems a year or two after the upgrade.

The second case is where you pay for an upgrade that is more like a new build (e g of a speaker) or rebuild (of a cartridge). Now, there is no lagging wear and tear problem, but it turns out that the upgrade parameters were not fully developed, things have to be changed or checked afterwards (speaker drivers dont work optimal, needle not quite in place, etc).

I would be the first to recognize that some of these costs (time, mainly, but money also) should be accepted. I have paid local repair costs without complaining, and have used many hours of my own time. As an advanced user, I accept some extra costs.

It is just that, sometimes it gets too much.

I would like other Audiogon users' thoughts on this dilemma, and especially, what can we do to reduce the total ownership costs.

Your thoughts and experiences welcome.
Ag insider logo xs@2xo_holter
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
o_holder,

Others cannot discern how you feel or why, only what you say and write. I took umbrage at the remark I quoted and still do. 

Regardless, I am glad to hear that you resolved your issue.

Dave
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wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 
To sound better than many great sounding tube amps you need to spend a lot more for that SS amp, and the difference will cover your tube cost for decades. I found a slightly used Dennis Had "Firebottle" single ended amp that is hand made by a circuit manipulating genius, and it is profoundly good. Needs efficient speakers...but still...I enjoy trying new tubes, looking at tube glow, talking to the tubes, dusting their shiny little heads...you're not likely to unsolder your transistors to look at them, and tubes provide that connection to life forces, space heaters, and better living through a steam punk esthetic.
jb0194
476 posts
 
For me the need to downsize/simplify on the cusp of retirement has broadened “ownership cost” to include minimizing component number, footprint, weight and maintenance without significant sacrifice in musical enjoyment. Almost a year into the transition, I have weathered the learning curve of migrating from physical media and “separates” (TT/phono stage/CDT/DAC/linestage/monoblock amps - all tubed, along with 200 pound plus loudspeakers). I found myself doing so at a most opportune time. Music servers have matured, Roon exists and, most importantly, the current crop of integrated amps includes units with onboard DAC and Roon ready streaming capability. The Naim Uniti Star I use functions just like my old  circa 1970 “receiver”. Back in that era you connected a TT into it and a pair of speakers out from it and you were done. Today server goes in and the Naim outs to my speakers. I have radio again along with “on demand” music (Spotify). The return to solid state amplification with the Naim was no biggie. My downsized loudspeakers weigh 65 pounds each and sound way good (ATC SCM40s). The makers of my gear have a solid reputation for reliability. This system fits easily into a multi use living room and will travel well if I must relocate. I’m in a real good place with cost/benefit as I define it.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
o_holter OP
977 posts
 
Thanks, jb0194 - interesting to know how downsizing can be done without too much sonic loss.
Wolf_Garcia and Elizabeth - OK, tubes can be "too much", but does it need to be so? I agree that tubes give better sound (to my ears). That’s why I changed from a Krell FPB600 solid state system. I have had troubles, yes, but I think they can be solved.

The main factor of component breakdown, I think, is time x heat. If you give a component a lot of heat it will last shorter. If this heat come from solid state or tube amps or preamps is not decisive. Class A solid state runs very hot too.

To cool down - literally - my own cost of ownership, I now have two computer fans mounted on the wall behind the most heat-prone components of my system. After I adjusted them down to low volt, the fan spinning slower so I cannot hear it, still giving a cool breeze over the components, I am very happy., A 100 USD investment, or so, to increase the chance of components holding up. Even here in Norway, it can be come very hot in the summer, it was 32 celsius, a week ago.

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