2. misc-audio
  3. 171473-147045

Is advice from a constant upgrader to be avoided

For a while now I've been reading these forums and to be honest i was thinking of leaving. I felt a bit out of depth given that it seems so many others have had so much experience through owning what seems to be tens of speakers, amplifiers, DACs etc etc and reading people buying and selling piece after piece after piece on the search for some sound.... 

When someone asks advice about a certain item it seems like half the audience have owned it and moved on and have a comment to make. I then read about someone buying an extremely expensive amp and deciding quickly to sell it because it doesn't sound right. Then someone else is on their fourth DAC in a year. 

So all these people have advice to give. What I'm wondering now is, is advice from a person who's never content, constantly changing their system, never living with a system for long enough, and have more money than patience, really the right person to take advice from? .

There seems fewer (maybe they're less vocal) people who buy gear and spend the time to appreciate it, and have maybe only had a very few systems in their lifetime. I think I'd rate their advice higher on the gear they know than the constant flipper/upgrader.

Is the constant flipper/upgrader always going to say that the gear they used to own was no good and they've now got better? Maybe their constant searching is because their ear is no good or they're addicted to the rush of opening a new box. 

Just because person X has owned a lot of equipment doesn't mean their advice is to be sought after, it could mean the exact opposite.

mid-fi-crisis
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,868 posts
 

Yes. I call them " gear changers ".  Often praising gear before it has even arrived...

But it's not the only consideration, like Tom said...implicitly...pay attention to the music lovers, symphony subscribers, the compassionate, and the helpful. Ignore the blowhard egomaniac..

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,928 posts
 

So many good flavors of sound. So little time. ....and money.....

 

I use Plexamp music streaming app running on an old iPhone straight out to $30 Audio Technica Bijoue headphones at work and the music is sublime, extended, crystal clear, all there, and every track sucks you in completely. I had tears in my eyes at one point today. That is how easy it is to get top notch sound these days. What does that tell you?

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,640 posts
 

There are hobbies and then there are obsessions. Like a gambler who can never win enough to the bank robber who can never get enough, this can be seen everywhere. Throw in an audience and it becomes more than self reinforcing, bordering on addictive, and can be dangerous, not to mention damaging.

I think you're doing just fine at your present pace. Speaking for myself, I haven't bought a new component since 2013 (not counting speaker cables) and am looking forward to a new piece of gear that should last me just as long, if not longer. 

Like you alluded to, the "been there, done that" crowd sounds like nothing more than feigned bragging rights (for the most part). There are some here who eschew that attitude and their advice is easy to parse and take. You'll know it when you hear it by the way they say it.

All the best,

Nonoise

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,928 posts
 

I've had most of my stuff a good 10 years+ now.  I got the urge recently to try something new. Then I listen more and think:  why?  What do I hope to gain?  No good answer other than to see what wonders newer technology might work. 

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

And there are vintage collectors like me. I'm a Mac collector, BUT my reference system is, Mac, Cary, VMPS, GR, DIY, Sony, Thoren, Nord, and First Watt. I pulled the Decware ZP3 it needs something.. I went back to a Rogers PA-2

There has alway's been a standing army of speakers here. I've made over 100 pairs and repaired another 150 pairs between Infinity, VMPS and a few older JBLs like C45 Ranger, Metrons or Paragons. I had a pair of Paragons. I loved them..

Strange thing most of the time I listen to a Mac MC225, MX110z, TD124 and a pair of 45 year old VMPS QSO 808s monitors.. I put a belt on the Thoren 20 years ago..I replaced one 12AX7 Telefunken, 15 years ago.. Maybe 4 or 5 cart tips. I haven't touched one thing on any of them (50+ years old). I do dust them.. They look new..oh There is a Sony ES777 I use. I did recap that.. ALL DIY cables.

 

Regards

More to discover