Is it ever enough?


It strikes me that continuing to tinker can be either positive or a negative for a given individual. When I make changes intending them as a remedy for something deficient, I don’t always know if that emerges from an inability to be satisfied and happy with what I have, or as a legitimate process of improvement.
For me, the question of when is my system excellent enough to simply sit back and listen to it for the rest of my life is difficult to ascertain.
Obviously, a lot of people don’t care about this and simply enjoy trying to perfect their sound, independent of any such concerns. And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, or it’s opposite, which I would call being satisfied on a budget, or perhaps having the benefit of less discerning ears in terms of budgetary effect.
Anyway, I’m curious, if anyone else is interested in this topic, to hear what they think. If the topic doesn’t interest you, you’re probably better off responding to someone else’s post.
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What a great thread. I feel like I’m listening to comments at an alcoholics anonymous meeting. I’ve been in those church basementsfor 25 years and there’s more  that audio files and alcoholics share in common than they don’t. Lol
I think the need to tinker is an important part of your quality of life!

The secret IMHO however is to build instead of buy.  Get your hands dirty.  Play with parts.  Solder something.  Glue a speaker together.  You'll be able to tinker a great deal more and get hands on experience.

Best,

Erik
It's a passion, it's a way of life, it's an illness.

I haven't figured out how to "critical listen" without comparison. With comparison comes judgement and with judgement comes change.  No mater how good it is, it can always be better.  My current system is good enough but not perfect and never will be but I'll get closer,  There may not be a single current component left but It'll get closer.  Some day I'll be able to tell whether the guy covered his mouth when he coughed in the audience. 
Thank you lord for an understanding wife.
Ray, I agree. Perhaps it’s because the topic is personal and non-empirical, and therefore doesn’t foster contentiousness. After all, who has an objective reply that they want to stand behind and get others to believe also?
Mike - congrats on thinking about retirement, it’s a transition. I spend wayyyyy more time on music and giving back than gear. I have had a lot of stability in my core reference system. The churn and itch is in another system.

Best to you

Jim