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  3. 176192-117192

I am so happy.....

That my upgradeitis is over before it even started.

I am so happy with the system I have, I want to share with everyone the fact that that even a very modest and cheap system can produce great sound for me and makes me happy to the point where I no longer have to search for improvements.

Call me ignorant if you want. Does not bother me even an iota. I will go the grave happier than everyone who is condescending.

I am using my own home made Neurochrome 686 stereo amp with 1000 VA medical grade toroidal, 160 amp rectifier (very little fwvd hence virtually no heat generated) and 200,000uF filter capacitors producing approx 220 watts rms/channel. It sounds just absolutely FANTASTIC.

My preamp is a Freya S. Speakers are B&W.

I have a Linn LP12 with SME 3009R and Nagaoka 500 and a Mani which I find that I listen to less and less in favor of the convenience and the dynamics and quietness of digital.

For my music server, wait for it......... I use an LG V60 phone, which has a great in built DAC, which I bought for $300 brand new on ebay ($1200 retail but no longer made) using the lossless Apple Music and Qobuz apps. I use an AuidoEngine B1 as my bluetooth receiver to which the LG phone can send aptX-HD which I can actually also connect directly to the Freya S on occasion.

The combination sounds simply fantastic to my ears and I listen to it for hours grateful that this technology available today provides this gift to me.

Just as I am writing this, I am listening to smooth jazz "Euge Groove Slow jam" and it is just sublime.

 

128x128cakyol
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,977 posts
 

@tylermunns

I fell so far into the rabbit hole of audio, I had to dig myself to the other side. Thousands of dollars and countless tedium-addled hours later, I MIGHT finally be at where I used to be. I can’t say my quality of life improved choosing to indulge in such minutiae.

It’s reasonable to suspect that "upgrade-itis" is actually a word for audiophiles who are not confronting deeper psychological issues. In other words, it has much less to do with this hobby than they -- or we -- are courageous enough to admit. This theory, if true, lets a lot of hobbyists who like to keep working on their system off the hook. It de-pathologizes what is, in fact, just a freakin’ hobby.

 

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,167 posts
 

I take this hobby as a journey , when I see good price audio gear , cables etc and I can afford it, I buy it. I do get good result , without spending much. For those who are now content on what they have, congratulations. 

secretguy
1,721 posts
 

You almost made it to the end...then....smooth jazz.....LOL

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,142 posts
 

Great posts!!

It's been said that as we get older we choose between the "scerinity," and "the hit".  Inner peace, or the next adrenaline rush.  Music can give us both (sometimes in the same piece).  I disagree, in principal, with the statement: "Audiophiles listen to equipment.  Not music."  I belive we drill down deeper into the music than most, listen to (and, for) subleties that would escape the perception of "the average listener".  We just need to have the discipline to turn off our inner audiophile and take in the masterpiece that's on full display in front of us.  I suspect that we've gotten pretty good at doing this.  Among other things.

So happy for cakyol for arriving in a good place.  Taking an active role in your system's development by designing and building your own power amp makes it that much better.  I designed and built my own speakers and I have to admit that some self-congratulatory moments occur when I'm listening.

Well done, sir.

fredapplegate
103 posts
 

Good for you! It's all about finding something that makes you happy and allows you to enjoy your own music. 

You go and be happy! It's so counter-cultural.

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