The Wilt Chamberlain of Audio Gear

How many NBA players besides WC had the rules of the game changed just because of them? Zero comes to mind. 3 in the key.

Just remember Freddies' dead.

Keep on dropping your wallet faster than a crack whore.

Cuz it feels goooooood!!!

I was hit by the bug almost 40 years ago now and never did stop looking for that elusive sound and then the magic happened and once i heard the top vintage sound i never looked back but i can tell you that then you start buying many examples of that too because you will want the many different sounds that top models had to offer. The funny thing is is that any one of the top models will make a new design sound like a pale imitation of music on any basis especially if you want to hear what is on a truly great recording.

Thank you all for weighing in here;  I got a really good laugh reading your comments. :)

To expand on my listening preferences, I’m a tube guy at heart but I think SS, and in particular, British shoe box sized integrated amps can be so cool that I just love trying things out. For me, it’s like trying different flavors of ice cream; but whenever I have solid state gear it never seems to stay around that long. When I have tube gear, it just sounds right, and I have much less tendency to make changes. 
I prefer analog tuners but somehow always seem to buy digital tuner‘s every now and then, because they are super cool looking, but like SS gear, they never satisfy me in the long run.

I am also a bang for the buck kind of person. I don’t believe you need to spend lots on this hobby if you know what you were doing.

In my next entry, hopefully tomorrow, I’ll respond specifically to the comments you’ve all made.  Thank you all for participating.

My name is Lou and I’m an audio whore

The first step is admitting you have the addiction! 

It is one reason that I do not subscribe to nostalgia audio, as it misses out on all the newer, and imo better developments.

Yeah, but that gets expensive too!

It’s fun being an audio Hooker.

I prefer to think of myself as a high end escort of audio more than a hooker or a ’ho

You guys are cracking me up!

If it wasn’t for you guys and gals here on Agon constantly revolving, upgrading, restoring and bringing your thoughts and experiences here with and about gear, I would have never learned so much as I have in these few short years.

I came here as a home theater head and there is nothing wrong with that but well let me just say I’m finally in the process of buying myself a true piece of audio gear. A Clayton S40 amplifier with the upgrade package of 50 watts of pure class A, albeit used, to save some coin. And I couldn’t have done it without you guys sharing and taking the time to teach.

And it is damn refreshing too that this thread has none of the infighting that sometimes goes on here, just great grown folks humor! Great thread Lou!

Hey Lou, I bet you never thought you'd be selling audio gear on the inter either?
I guess that makes us audio ho's too!

I’m just one year into this hobby, and that is what I consider it, for me.  I am looking at it as, “What is missing in my life that I am trying to find by ‘getting lost in the music’?”  I had just lost a love relationship and was looking to find something pleasing to focus on. I looked at my 30+ year old stereo system and, having read of the delights awaiting in high-end audio, I thought that was the ticket. 

While I enjoy reading of the exploits of audiophiles, I know that nothing replaces something important that was lost.  I look at it like the guys that are really into cars, and they get into the parts swapping and the tweaks and the new paint or interior, and I just want a reliable car that is comfortable, has a decent stereo and reliably gets me where I want to go. That’s it.  

With audio, I have a bit of craving — would like to explore the vaunted “tube sound”, but I know that a big limitation is my listening space and what I can do with it.  I’m older and done with moving, so it is what it is.  Now, I make my peace within what I can do, that it fit in my budget, and that I explore and enjoy other things worth enjoying.  And read of the exploits here who “go down the rabbit hole” more than I ever will.