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
yoby
538 posts
 

System/component synergy is also a real consideration when doing "upgrades". Just because a certain piece specs out nicely or gets gushing reviews doesn't mean it's going to sound good in YOUR system. Sometimes, just getting the right combination of gear will get you performance in spades.

big_greg
6,619 posts
 

One thing that I'll add to my earlier comments is that a lot of the experimentation I've done in my system and the knowledge I've acquired is a direct result of getting to know other enthusiasts and picking their brains and finding some people to mentor me. 

Join a local club if you can and then get to know the members that seem to really know their stuff on an individual level and spend time listening together.  Listen to their systems.  Ask a lot of "how" and "why" questions.  Invite them to listen to your system, and ask for honest feedback.

troidelover1499
253 posts
 

@jjss49

I have found your comments and thoughts on equipment on this forum some of the most useful of all that I read. Just your knowledge on dacs alone.  You always bring solid ideas and observations without the ego nonsense. And your writing is always clear. Breathe of fresh air as far as I am concerned.  Your input here is always appreciated as far as this reader is concerned.

sandthemall
544 posts
 

I prefer to listen to folks who keep their old equipment.

Generally this is because they've made of good initial choices to start with and enjoy the ability to sample different gear and compare now and then.

I also don't pay much attention to people strongly beholden to a particular brands. 

I pay attention to language, and especially consistency of posts through time, as it really defines how authentic someone is. 

larryro2
137 posts
 

Interesting discussion!

I fully understand acoustics

i fully understand tubes , SS, HD ,IMD, etc

i fully understand the human auditory system 

I fully understand loudness and dynamic range of the normal and the  

impaired auditory system -

 have used a vast array of very costly to inexpensive 

audio gear

after 50 years of changing gear I realize that if the recording is excellent so will the 

listening experience! 
currently I'm using a system that is excellent and cost a mere fraction of those setups of the past!

changing components is a PIA since there are no audio salons nearby! That leaves me to the prey of the reviewer, non of which are useful, the internet, and FedEx!

I find it a horrible process to buy, try and return!

I've lost interest in this hobby since the human interactions are gone, listening  rooms are gone and again , the trial and error of choosing equipment is not appreciated.

It was fun!

 

 

More to discover